Historical Overview of the Program

The Athletic Training Education Program at Lock Haven University was developed and sustained through the efforts of Mr. David Tomasi. The program was initially recognized by the National Athletic Trainers' Association in the fall of 1977. At this time, Mr. Tomasi was the sole athletic trainer involved with the program. There were approximately eight students enrolled.

By 1980, a second certified athletic trainer was employed at the University in the Athletic Training Education Program. Both certified athletic trainers were appointed faculty rank and given release time to perform athletic training duties. During this time, the program continued to flourish with 24 Athletic Training Students formally enrolled in the program.

David J. Tomasi

Currently the Athletic Training Education Program has six faculty members and two graduate assistants. All six faculty members hold full-time, tenure track appointments. All teach courses in the Department of Health Science in addition to serving as athletic trainers for Lock Haven Varsity Athletic Teams. Through the efforts of Mr. Tomasi and other Health Science faculty, the program has grown to enroll approximately forty-five Athletic Training Students and now includes three high schools, a local college, and a physical therapy clinic as affiliated sites. In December of 1998, David Tomasi retired from his position of Program Director. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society Hall of Fame in 2001 for his service to LHU, his students, and the profession of athletic training. Mr. Tomasi passed away in the spring of 2002 but will always be remembered as the father of LHU's Athletic Training Education Program.