By Jonathan Wilson '22 / Sports Information Staff
 
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Decades of service to both regional and national athletic trainers' associations has lead Eastern Connecticut State University's Julie Alexander '90 to the top of the athletic training field.

Alexander, who began as the department's athletic trainer in 2012, has recently been elected as committee chairperson of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). Her promotion from vice-chairperson   means that she will be heading up 11 districts nationwide with the goal of retaining and gaining new members. Alexander's role will also include responsible spending of membership dollars to support and promote athletic training as it continues to grow.

As chair, Alexander will be the leader of the NATA, which services an estimated 43,000 athletic trainers nationwide with members ranging from collegiate athletics to performing arts and even rodeo. The association offers professional development opportunities for members through nationwide connections. It also advocates for fair recognition and compensation to athletic trainers for the healthcare they provide.

Alexander began service with the state association in 2001 when a member of the board of directors left their position to take a job in another state. She was asked to serve out the remainder of the term and accepted. Since then, Alexander has occupied many different roles leading her to the top of her field. She describes service to these associations as a bit of an addiction. Alexander has gotten to know professionals nationwide while impacting advocacy and education across the 50 states.

Alexander's service has not gone unnoticed by the NATA, which will recognize her this June with its Athletic Trainer Service Award (ATSA). The award rewards those board certified NATA members of at least 20 years in the field "for their contributions to the athletic training profession as a volunteer at the local and state levels. ATSA recipients have been involved in professional associations, community organizations, grassroots public relations effort and service as a volunteer athletic trainer."

The most special part of all of this? Alexander gets to receive this award on stage with two individuals that she had nominated for other athletic training awards this year. Those individuals are Kelsey Rynkiewicz, a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Eastern since 2016 who will be receiving the New Horizon's Award, and Leo Katsetos, recipient of the Division I Athletic Trainer-of-the-Year. Katsetos was mentored by Alexander at Sacred Heart and now serves as SHU's head athletic trainer. "To be able to receive my award alongside them is not expected all. It's incredibly, incredibly special," said Alexander.

Alexander was nominated for the award by Rynkiewicz, who has seen first-hand Alexander's impact upon the Eastern athletic community. "Julie has changed the lives of countless patients she has worked with throughout her career," said Rynkiewicz. "I have seen this first-hand in just [the short time] that I have known and worked with her. Patients come back after they have graduated to say thank-you or simply to say hello because of the impact Julie had during their time as a student-athlete. Beyond this, in many cases, Julie's presence as an athletic trainer has encouraged students to pursue a path towards becoming an athletic trainer as well."

Support from her boss, Eastern director of athletics Lori Runksmeier, has been unwavering throughout. To serve on any board, Alexander must receive written approval from her supervisor. According to Alexander, these approvals are no guarantee for many athletic trainers who wish to serve. She was admittedly "nervous" about asking Runksmeier the first time but was quickly relieved when the reaction was clear and obvious. It was a vote of confidence for Alexander when Runksmeier's response was, "You need to do this."
 

A Storrs native, Alexander is a former three-year volleyball letterwinner at Eastern under Alumni Hall of Fame coach Floretta Crabtree who served as a student athletic trainer at Eastern under Alumni Hall of Fame head athletic trainer Dr. David Yeo (a 1996 recipient of the ATSA). Upon graduation, Alexander went on to earn her M.S. Ed. in athletic training from Old Dominion University. She was hired at Eastern by former director of athletics Jeff Konin '88 in 2012 after serving as senior associate athletic director/head athletic trainer at Sacred Heart University, where she covered a variety of sports, including men's hockey and men's and women's tennis as well as administering the athletic insurance policy, physician services and related programs.

The success of the Warriors' 19 Division III athletic programs is due in no small part to Alexander's continued "behind the scenes" efforts. Through injury prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment, Alexander serves hundreds of athletes to ensure that they are able to perform at the highest level when gameday rolls around.

The department has won four straight Little East Conference Commissioner's Cup -- which is given to the conference's most successful athletic program – and this could not be done without the never-ending task of athlete care from Alexander, fellow head athletic trainer Tom Holton'89 and their team of athletic training professionals.

Eastern head baseball coach Brian Hamm recognized Alexander's contributions immediately upon his appointment to the staff four years ago. "The passion, dedication, and love she shows toward every one of our athletes, this is what truly sets her apart," praised Hamm.

Alexander has proven each year that she is both an excellent athletic trainer and a committed servant to her field. Her dedication to the profession has served not just her, but the Eastern athletic department.

As chair, Alexander will get to lead the way and continue to guide this profession as it grows during her two-year term, all while providing top-of-the-line care for the Warriors. Her recognition on a national level is a salute to continued dedication to the athletic training profession.

It goes without saying yet cannot be said enough that Eastern is fortunate to have one of the most knowledgeable, caring and  dedicated  athletic trainers in the business in Julie Alexander.