NC State Wolfpack

NC State Sports Medicine Staff

Vision Statement

Make a difference.

Mission Statement

The NC State Sports Medicine Department strives to provide the highest quality comprehensive healthcare to student-athletes at NC State. The primary focus of the department is to protect the health and well-being of the student-athlete by minimizing extrinsic risks.

Athletic Trainers

	Name:	Robert Murphy, MEd, LAT, ATC
	Title:	Assistant AD/Sports Medicine/Director of Sports Medicine
	Sport:	Men's Soccer
	Education:	B.S. Exercise and Sports Sciences/Athletic Training - University of Florida M.Ed. Exercise and Sports Science - University of Georgia
	E-mail:	rmmurphy@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-2111

NC State Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow has announced that Robert Murphy has joined the athletic staff as Assistant Athletics Director and Director of Sports Medicine. Murphy has served as the Director of Sports Medicine at Mercer University for the past 12 years.

Murphy, who brings a wealth of education and experience to the position, will be responsible for coordinating the department's Sports Medicine Program, including the overall operation of training and rehabilitation facilities, supervising the prevention and treatment of athletic-related injuries to student-athletes, and the hiring and evaluation of all staff. He will also work closely with the team physicians to ensure that Wolfpack student-athletes are provided with the highest quality care.

"Robert has the experience required to be effective at this level of intercollegiate athletics and he has the passion for supporting student-athletes we expect of all administrators," said Yow. "He will be a terrific addition to our staff."

At Mercer, Murphy oversaw the health-care related needs of 14 Division I sports, serving as an Assistant AD since 2008. He was responsible for supervision of the strength and conditioning department and served on the university's Alcohol Task Force.

Since 2000, Murphy has traveled the world as the head athletic trainer for USA Roller Sports at the World Championships in Spain, Germany, Portugal, Colombia and various sites in the U.S. In that role, he provided health care for all United States participants and staff for the sports of inline hockey, speed skating, and rink hockey.

Murphy earned his undergraduate degree in exercise and sports sciences/athletic training from Florida in 1994 after working as a student athletic trainer for four years. Following graduation, he served as the Director of Athletic Training for Oak Hall School in Gainesville for two years and worked as the Director of Athletic Training Services at a physical therapy center.

He went on to earn his a master's of education in exercise and sports science from Georgia in 1999, while serving as a graduate assistant for the Bulldogs' athletics department from 1997-99. In 1999, he won UGA's Sports Medicine Outstanding Performance Award. He also worked two stints as a summer intern for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

Murphy holds certification by the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers and in sports massage. He has co-authored several articles that were published in the Journal of Athletic Training.

	Name:	Nicole Neal, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, PES, CES
	Title:	Associate Director of Sports Medicine
	Sports:	Cross Country/Track & Field, Women's Soccer, Men's Golf
	Education:	B.S. Athletic Training - High Point University M.S. Kinesiology - University of Oregon
	E-mail:	paula_neal@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-2111

Nicole joined the staff at NC State in 1997. She originally hails from High Point, NC. Nicole received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from High Point University, which is the first program in the country to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). After passing her Board of Certification Exam to become a Certified Athletic Trainer in 1994 Nicole joined the staff at Bray-Maness Physical Therapy Clinic in High Point. Nicole worked in the physical therapy clinic for 10 months when she was accepted to the University of Oregon's NATA accredited Post-Professional Athletic Training Master's Program. She completed her Master of Science in June of 1997.

While at the University of Oregon, Nicole served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with Intramural and Intercollegiate Athletics. She worked with the women's soccer team and assisted with football and track and field program.

Nicole began her career at NC State in August of 1997 as an assistant athletic trainer with the cross-country and track and field program. She has also managed the day-to-day healthcare of women's basketball and soccer. Currently, she oversees the healthcare of the women's volleyball, men's golf, women's golf, rifle, gymnastics, and softball. At NC State, her focus has been on injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has created and implemented numerous preventative and post-surgical rehab programs for every major joint, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus, Achilles ruptures, and shoulder labral tears.

In 2010, Nicole became a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) and, in 2011, she became a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), both of which are advanced specializations through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). She is also an instructor for the American Red Cross and teaches a wide range of emergency response courses to the NC State Sports Medicine and coaching staffs.

Nicole enjoys competing in marathons and triathlons, completing her first Half Ironman in May of 2011. She resides in Holly Springs with her very vivacious Weimaraner, Roman.

	Name:	Phil Hedrick, MEd, LAT, ATC
	Title:	Head Football Athletic Trainer
	Sport:	Football
	Education:	B.S. Exercise Science - Appalachian State University M.Ed. Guidance and Counseling - Clemson University
	E-mail:	phil_hedrick@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-3960

Phil Hedrick is entering his third year as the Head Athletic Trainer for football at North Carolina State University. His daily duties include overseeing the daily healthcare needs of the Wolfpack football program while managing the Murphy Center Athletic Training Room.

Phil received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine from Appalachian State University. While attending Appalachian, Hedrick worked as an Athletic Training Student under the supervision of Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer Rod Walters as well as Andy Massey. Upon graduation, Phil enrolled at Clemson University where he earned his Master of Education Degree. While at Clemson, Phil worked as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer under the supervision of Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer Fred Hoover.

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Phil has a diverse practical background in the field of Athletic Training. Phil comes to Raleigh following a seven year tenure as the Head Athletic Trainer at Furman University. During his tenure at Furman, his duties included the supervision of Athletic Health Care, coordinating the Athletic Department's drug testing program, as well as coordinating team travel for the University's football team. From 2000 - 2002, Phil served as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for football at The University of South Carolina. Hedrick also taught within and served as an Approved Clinical Instructor for the undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program at The University of South Carolina. Prior to this, Phil worked three years as a teacher / Athletic Trainer at Greenwood High School from 1997 - 2000. He began his professional career as a staff Athletic Trainer at Greenwood Sports and Industrial Rehab from 1994 - 1997.

A member of the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA), the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainer's Association (MAATA), the North Carolina Athletic Trainer's Association (NCATA), Hedrick is also a State Licensed Athletic Trainer in North Carolina. Phil has spoken at numerous conferences on subjects such as Prophylactic Bracing, Ulcerative Colitis in a Collegiate Football Player, Emergency Care Planning, Management of the Critically Injured Collision Sport Participant, Heat Illness and Hydration, Iris Rupture in a Collegiate Football Player, MRSA Concerns in the Athletic Environment, and Wound Care Management.

Currently a resident of Apex, N.C., Phil and his wife April have a daughter, Regan, and a son, Avery.

	Name:	Stephanie Aronson, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, CES
	Title:	Athletic Trainer
	Sports:	Women's Basketball, Cheerleading, Softball, Women's Golf
	Education:	B.S. Education - University of Tennessee M.S. Kinesiology - Pennsylvania State University
	E-mail:	stephanie_aronson@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 513-7790

Stephanie's employment at NC State began in 2003. Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, Stephanie received her Bachelor's of Science in Education, with an emphasis in Exercise Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After completing her internship with the Women's Athletic Department at the University of Tennessee, under the tutelage of Jenny Moshak, she passed her Board of Certification Exam and became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2001. She then went on to earn her Master's of Science Degree in Kinesiology from The Pennsylvania State University, whose graduate program was ranked #1 in the field of Kinesiology in 2010, according to the National Research Council and the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Stephanie continued in Penn State's tradition of scientific training by completing a research based thesis entitled, "Effects of tri-phasic oral contraceptives on risk factors of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in recreationally active females."

Along with her graduate studies, Stephanie served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer in the Intercollegiate Athletics Department at Penn State. She worked closely with the Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving, Men's and Women's Gymnastics, Men's and Women's Ice Hockey, Women's Lacrosse and Football teams. During her clinical experience she was mentored in a diverse treatment approach with emphasis in the integration of evidence based medicine, manual therapy techniques and traditional athletic training skills. She also served as an Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI), overseeing undergraduate athletic training students during the clinical rotation of their curriculum program.

Following her two year experience at Penn State, Stephanie arrived at NC State as an Assistant Athletic Trainer to work specifically with the Women's Basketball program and alongside legendary coach Kay Yow. During her tenure, she has also managed the day-to-day healthcare of the Softball and Volleyball teams. Currently, she oversees the healthcare of the Women's Basketball and Cheerleading teams. At NC State, her focus has been on injury prevention through recognition of pre-disposing factors and proper education of movement control. She has created and implemented numerous preventative and post-surgical rehab programs for the knee, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), meniscus, posterior-lateral corner and chondral defect injuries.

In 2010, Stephanie became a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), which is an advanced specialization through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and is the preferred injury prevention and recovery credential of professional athletes and teams. She is also an Instructor for the American Red Cross and teaches a wide range of emergency response courses to the NC State Sports Medicine and coaching staffs. In the summer of 2011, Stephanie attended a Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization course achieving her certification. In addition, she earned her Certified Stength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Stephanie has co-authored an article, "Does Cryotherapy Hasten Return to Participation? A Systematic Review.", and an abstract, "Effects of Tri-Phasic Oral Contraceptives on Risk Factors on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Recreationally Active Females" which were both published in the Journal of Athletic Training. She has given presentations to peers in the medical and healthcare community at the Annual ACC Sports Medicine Symposium and The Thomas B. Dameron Lectureship in Orthopaedics.

In March of 2010 Stephanie competed in her first half marathon and in May of 2011 she trained extensively and completed her first sprint triathlon. She resides in Knightdale, NC with her maltipoo Nala.

	Name:	Mallori Crockett, MA, LAT, ATC
	Title:	Athletic Trainer
	Sports:	Volleyball, Gymnastics, Rifle, Men's & Women's Tennis
	Education:	B.S. Athletic Training and Health Studies - The University of Alabama M.A. Health Studies/Athletic Training - The University of Alabama
	E-mail:	mallori_crockett@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 513-7790

Mallori joined the NC State Sports Medicine staff in September of 2011. She works primarily with the Wolfpack volleyball and gymnastics teams. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama she received an Associate of Science degree before making a decision to further her education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. While with the Crimson Tide, Mallori received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training and Health Studies, while also minoring in food and nutrition. Prior to her graduation from Alabama she completed an internship at the International Sports Training Camp in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Mallori continued her educational endeavors at the University of Alabama and received her Master of Arts degree in Health Studies with a concentration in Athletic Training.

While pursuing her Master's degree, Mallori worked as an intern athletic trainer at North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, NC. In February of 2010 she passed the Board of Certification and became a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer. As an intern athletic trainer she worked with the baseball team and assisted with the football team. Mallori was promoted to the role of assistant athletic trainer after one year as an intern. As a full-time staff athletic trainer she worked primarily with the football and baseball teams. In addition, she was also responsible for the day-to-day management of the women's tennis team, cheerleaders, women's swimming team, and the volleyball team.

Mallori is an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED instructor. She enjoys playing basketball and being active. Mallori currently resides in Raleigh, NC.

	Name:	Joshua Geruso, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, PES, CES
	Title:	Athletic Trainer
	Sports:	Baseball, Wrestling
	Education:	B.S. Athletic Training - High Point University M.S. Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management - North Carolina State University
	E-mail:	josh_geruso@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-2111

Josh's tenure with the Sports Medicine department at NC State University began in 2008. Originally from Woonsocket, R.I., Josh attended High Point University, the first program in the country to be accredited by the Commision on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in 2003. In June of 2003, Josh passed his Board of Certification exam becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer. He then attended graduate school at North Carolina State University's Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, the first nationally-accredited degree program of its kind in the United States, and graduated with a Master of Science degree, concentrating on sports administration. In order to fulfill the extensive requirements of his degree program, Josh completed his thesis entitled "Job Satisfaction of Full-Time Atlantic Coast Conference Board of Certification Certified Athletic Trainers."

As a graduate assistant at NC State, he worked with men's and women's swimming and diving, women's soccer, men's and women's golf, rifle, co-ed cheerleading, and gymnastics. Following his stint as a graduate assistant, he joined Elon University as an assistant athletic trainer for men's soccer and softball, a position he held for two years. Josh then returned to his alma mater, NC State, as an assistant athletic trainer with men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, and wrestling.

Josh is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) and a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), credentials both endorsed by the exclusive National Basketball Athletic Trainers' Association and grounded in evidence-based science. He has studied the injury prevention oriented Functional Movement Screen, offered by the ground-breaking company Functional Movement Systems, as well. Building upon his strong belief in continuing education and a multidisciplinary approach, he became a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), as well as a Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM) technician, a pioneering certification in the Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) industry. Additionally, he is an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers instructor. He is also a Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO) through the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF), as he is charged with maintaining water chemistry and safety of the hydrotherapy equipment.

Throughout his career, Josh has been fortunate to work with countless ACC champions, NCAA All-Americans, NCAA regional champions, multiple NCAA champions, professional athletes, national team members, and Olympians, including gold medalists.

Josh was a letter winner is three sports during high school and continues to play soccer and softball competitively in the Triangle area. He currently resides in Knightdale, NC.

	Name:	Ryan Holleman, MEd, LAT, ATC
	Title:	Athletic Trainer
	Sports:	Men's Basketball, Swimming & Diving
	Education:	B.S. Athletic Training - Western Carolina University M.Ed. Education Administration - University of Nebraska
	E-mail:	ryan_holleman@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-2111

Ryan started his tenure at NC State in August of 2010. He is currently the certified athletic trainer for the Wolfpack Men's Basketball program as well as the baseball and tennis teams. Prior to coming to Raleigh, he was the baseball athletic trainer at High Point University. His baseball experience also includes 2 years as an intern for the Durham Bulls professional baseball club, AAA Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Originally from Havelock, NC, Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Western Carolina University. While at WCU, he worked with the football and baseball programs while serving multiple terms as President for the student athletic training association. Ryan has also presented a case-study on shoulder injuries at conferences such as the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting, National Conference of Undergraduate Research, and Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting. Prior to graduation, he served as an intern at the University of Virginia with the NCAA national runner-up women's lacrosse program.

Upon graduation from Western Carolina, Holleman went on to further his education and received his M.Ed. in Education Administration from The University of Nebraska. While with the Huskers, Ryan served as the primary athletic trainer with baseball and assisted with the football program. He was also an Approved Clinical Instructor and guest lecturer for the undergraduate students in the athletic training education program.

Ryan is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. He has received his Board of Certification and is licensed to practice as a Certified Athletic Trainer in the state of North Carolina. Ryan is also an instructor in First Aid/CPR/AED for the American Red Cross. In July of 2011, he became a certified clinician in Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM).

Ryan currently resides in Knightdale with his wife, Tammy, and two dogs (Ellie Mae & Leila). He enjoys running, cycling, and spending time at the ballpark.

	Name:	Tyler MacDonnell, MS, LAT, ATC
	Title:	Athletic Trainer
	Sport:	Football
	Education:	B.S. Athletic Training - East Carolina University M.S. Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management - North Carolina State University
	E-mail:	tyler_macdonnell@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-3960

Tyler commenced his tenure at NC State in 2008 as full time Assistant Athletic Trainer with Wolfpack Football; during the 2009 Spring Season, Tyler stepped into the position of Interim Head Athletic Trainer. Formerly of Burke, Virginia, Tyler earned his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University where he held positions as an Athletic Training Student for football, men's basketball, baseball, and women's volleyball. During the summer of 2003, he joined the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars as the pre-season athletic training intern, and upon graduation from ECU returned to Jacksonville as an assistant athletic trainer for the 2005 NFL Football Season.

From his first introduction to athletic training to his present position as Assistant Athletic Trainer, Tyler has excelled in his commitment and dedication to sports medicine and in his efforts to provide the best care and support for athletes. His profound interest in sports medicine and ultimately his strong dedication to Athletic Training, reaches as far back as his freshman year in high school where he was honored with his high school's Outstanding Student Athletic Trainer Award -the first time such an honor was bestowed upon a freshman student athletic trainer. He was honored as the recipient of the 2000 Northern Virginia Sports Medicine Association Scholarship and in 2004, Tyler was named the Spring 2004 Outstanding Graduate in Athletic Training at East Carolina University.

Tyler is actively involved with District, Regional, and National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) conferences. He has presented at district-level conferences, covering such topics as Emergency Back-boarding, Helmet and Shoulder pad Removal, and Proximal Fibular Head Dislocation-a Case Study. Highly involved at District-level meetings, he has often served on NATA Graduate Education panels. Tyler is certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification, is licensed to practice as an athletic trainer in North Carolina, is certified as an American Red Cross CPR instructor, and is a Certified Pool Operator, in addition to a Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM) certified provider.

The National Athletic Trainers' Association defines athletic trainers as "unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses." Tyler B. MacDonnell, MS, LAT, ATC, clearly epitomizes that definition of a unique health care provider. Tyler is driven by the philosophy that "nothing is better than watching an athlete you have worked along side of daily for a year or more, come back to full strength and ability, and once again play to his highest potential. I come to work everyday because of the athletes. They keep me motivated to do whatever I can to assist them in reaching their goals. I have had many opportunities to rehab many athletes, both professional and collegiate, and have had the privilege of seeing them once again reach their full potential-and succeed."

Administrative Support Staff

	Name:	Glenda May
	Title:	Administrative Support Specialist
	E-mail:	glenda_may@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-3065

	Name:	Angela Hardee
	Title:	Administrative Support Associate
	E-mail:	angela_hardee@ncsu.edu
	Office:	(919) 515-2111