Article reposted from www.piedmontlions.com
Author: Timmy McCormack
Piedmont College Head Athletic Trainer Matt McKinney has announced the hiring of a new Assistant Athletic Trainer with Dayna McKilligin stepping on board beginning in the fall of 2016. McKilligin comes to Piedmont fresh off a stint at fellow Division III member Waynesburg University where she spent the last two years as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer.
McKilligin joins a training staff rich in Division III experience as Head Athletic Trainer Matt McKinney has spent time at two Division III institutions with a stint at LaGrange College and another as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Piedmont before being named to his current position in 2013.
“We are very excited to add Dayna to our athletic training team,” said McKinney of the new hire. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to our student athletes.”
“I have a great respect and appreciation for the Division III level and am looking forward to meeting and working with the student-athletes, coaches, and administrators,” said McKilligin.
During her time at Waynesburg, McKilligin worked as an athletic trainer for the volleyball, tennis, indoor/ outdoor track, football, women’s basketball, and baseball teams at the Pennsylvania-based institution. While working with the Yellow Jackets, McKilligin performed evaluations of injuries while also providing treatment and rehabilitation programs.
In between two years on staff at Waynesburg, McKilligin spent the summer of 2015 working with IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Providing coverage for IMG’s summer camps including soccer, baseball, and men’s lacrosse, McKilligin was able to gain experience working with Sportsware Injury Tracking software while also earning familiarity with some of the field’s most advanced equipment including hypobaric chambers.
Upon her graduation from Carroll University, McKilligin spent a year working at the Monroe Clinic in Wisconsin as an athletic trainer providing services to nine local high schools. McKilligin administered ImPACT baseline testing as part of concussion protocols while also conducting injury prevention programs like Sportsmetrics.
McKilligin’s undergraduate work including time as a student athletic trainer at Carroll as well as the College of William and Mary. While at Carroll, McKilligin acted as a first responder for emergencies while also preparing facilities for practices and games with her primary rotation centering on women’s soccer, baseball, and football.
Having also gained experience in men’s soccer, volleyball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, and track & field at Carroll, McKilligin spent her final semester at the College of William and Mary working primarily with the baseball team. McKilligin gained experience with medical software and also spent time working with the women’s lacrosse team as well as men’s and women’s gymnastics.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of various experiences so far in my professional career that has helped me grow and become a better athletic trainer,” said McKilligin.
McKilligin earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training with an emphasis in Exercise Science from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin graduating in May of 2013. Three years later, McKilligin completed her Masters in Athletic Training at West Virginia University in Morgantown graduating in May of 2016.
McKilligin is certified through the BOC and also licensed as an Athletic Trainer. A member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), she also retains certification with the American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Providers.