MANHATTAN, Kan. – Battling through the most challenging year in the field of collegiate athletic training, the K-State Sports Medicine staff has been selected the best in the Big 12 for the 2020-21 athletics year as selected by their peers within the conference.
It marks the third time that K-State has been named the Big 12 Sports Medicine Staff of the Year having also been honored in 2004 and 2017.
Leading the effort within the department is Associate Athletics Director of Student-Athlete Health, Wellness and Performance Matt Thomason, who has been at K-State since 2002. He is assisted by Head Football Athletic Trainer Mindy Hoffman, Ice Basketball Training Facility Sports Medicine Coordinator Luke Sauber and assistant athletic trainers Conner Bennett (football), Shannon Burke (track & field), Blaine Burris (baseball), Zack Davis (track & field), Becca Fitzgerald (women’s soccer/women’s golf), Lizzy Kienstra (women’s basketball), Madison Robinson (rowing), Simeon Seiler (football), Emily Trausch (volleyball) and Megan Won (tennis/cheer). Also providing support this year were Sport Dietitian/Nutritionist Scott Trausch and his assistant Katie LeMair, in addition to Sports Psychologist Dr. Anne Weese.
“The past 15 months have been challenging for everyone in college athletics, but the role of the medical staff was instrumental in providing a safe environment for our student-athletes to practice and compete,” Thomason said. “It was a total team effort that went beyond the athletic trainers and team physicians. Sports nutrition, sport psychology, strength and conditioning, coaching staffs – everyone stepped up.”
K-State was one of the leaders in helping the Big 12 Conference put forth COVID-19 protocols for the 2020-21 athletics year as Thomason was on the conference’s working group for recommendation for return-to-activities plan. Thomas and Lafene Health Center Medical Director Dr. Kyle Goerl helped the Big 12 presidents and athletics directors navigate a safe return to all sports in the conference.
“With all that has transpired over the past year, sports medicine staffs across the country have been instrumental in keeping our student-athletes, coaches and staff safe,” Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. “For our staff to be honored during what has been one of the most challenging years in our lifetime is a true testament to their hard work, dedication and care for our student-athletes. What a tremendous honor for Matt and his entire team, and we are fortunate to have them on our staff.”