The athletic training staff at Valdosta State, under the direction of head athletic trainer Russ Hoff, who was honored in 2004 as Division II’s Athletic Trainer of the Year, provides the athletic training personnel and expertise for the 12 intercollegiate sports.
Hoff, who came on board in August 1997 after serving in a similar capacity at Capital (Ohio) University for 10 years, oversees a staff which includes two other certified athletic trainers -- Katy Steele and Tracy LLewelyn -- four graduate assistants and a host of athletic training students who work the various sports during their seasons. In addition, certified athletic trainers and faculty members Chuck Connor, Lori Howard and Stacey Walters oversee the academic program and lend their expertise to the athletic training staff.
The Athletic Training major is offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education within the College of Education, and admission is based on academic achievement, course work, related experiences and recommendations. The first two years consist of coursework in the college core curriculum along with background courses appropriate to the major. The second two years incorporate the professional sequence of coursework in the areas of injury assessment, therapeutic exercise, advanced anatomy, biomechanics, kinesiology and sport physiology.
It is during the second two years that the student becomes actively involved in the laboratory experiences in the athletic training room and on the athletic fields and courts. All of these experiences are under the direct supervision of the certified athletic trainers.
The Valdosta State Athletic Training room moved into the state-of-the art VSU Athletic Fieldhouse in January 2009. The new 2,437 square foot Athletic Training Room meets all of the rehabilitation needs of the Valdosta State athletics as it contains six taping stations in addition to six additional treatment areas. There is also room in the facility for cardiovascular and rehabilitation workouts as well as offices for Hoff and Walls as well as the Athletic training graduate assistants. Additionally, a private physician exam room was included in the Athletic Training area, making it easy for VSU student-athletes to meet with a doctor without traveling to each respective doctor’s office, as well as a hydrotherapy room for further treatment options.
In addition to the athletic training staff, Dr. Ben Hogan, a Valdosta physician specializing in sports medicine, and team physicians Dr. Kurt Jacobson and Dr. Kevin Collins from the world-famous Hughston Sports Medicine Clinic in Columbus, Ga handle the medical needs of all 11 Valdosta State athletic squads. Dr. Jacobson, who is a member of the VSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Hughston Clinic have served as the team physician for the VSU football squad since its inception in 1982.
Hoff is married and he and his wife, Julie, have three children, Sam (22), Margaret (20) and Henry (16).
