The Valdosta State Athletic Department is held in high regard in the profession of athletic training, and that reputation carries on under the leadership of Jay Johnson, who was announced as Blazer Athletics' newest Head Athletic Trainer during the summer of 2017.
Having served as a Head Athletic Trainer at Georgia Southwestern for four years before taking over the head position at Florida Tech in 2011, Johnson brings over 10 years of experience in the position to Valdosta State. His roots run deep at VSU, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training under the tutelage of departing Head Athletic TrainerÂ
Russ Hoff, whom Johnson refers to as a mentor.
Following his graduation from VSU, Johnson achieved a Masters degree in Health and Physical Education with a concentration in Health Promotion at Georgia College and State University, which prepared him for a smooth transition into the start of his professional career at Georgia Southwestern.
During his career, Johnson has served as a member of both the Georgia Athletic Trainers Association while at Georgia Southwestern and the Athletic Training Association of Florida since his move to Florida Tech. Johnson has also been a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association since 2005. Johnson is also the Chair of the GSC Athletic Training Committee as well as the Region Representative for the Georgia Athletic Trainer's Association. Johnson has also served as the Parliamentarian for VSU’s Council on Staff Affairs. Johnson was nominated for Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Athletic Trainer's Association of Florida.
While at Florida Tech, Johnson brought tremendous growth to the program. In addition to personally authoring all of Florida Tech's sports medicine policies and procedures, he oversaw the growth of the institution's expansion from three to six full-time athletic trainers. Furthermore, Johnson took responsibility for each of Florida Tech's 24 varsity sports, while helping to develop a community among athletic trainers throughout the Space Coast region.
Johnson is a native of Wilcox County, GA, and currently resides in Valdosta.
