AMHERST, N.Y. -- Daemen University Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine & Performance Jeff Sage has been named the NCAA Division II Head Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine, the organization announced on Wednesday. The ICSM awards one individual for exceptional performance as a head athletic trainer in each collegiate division (NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, Two Year Institution and Club/Intramural/Recreational Sports). The Head Athletic Trainer of the Year award recipients are actively involved in their community or campus, athletic training associations and promotion of the profession.
Sage has been a staple around Daemen for over three decades, joining the staff in 1995 and helping the sports medicine and performance offices grow and flourish over his 31 year career. Presiding over an office of three athletic trainers as well as two sports performance coaches, Sage has also been invaluable to Daemen Athletics in developing relationships with UBMD and Western New York Knee and Orthopedic Surgery which provide general healthcare and orthopedic care for Daemen's student-athletes. He coordinates the involvement of team physicians and orthopedic surgeons throughout the academic year.
"I am honored to have been voted by my peers and other athletic trainers for this award," Sage said. "Seeing the value that we do as athletic trainers is a huge honor. I want to thank the staff for helping me accomplish everything over the years, as well as thank Daemen for being supportive and helping me do the things that I am able to do here."
On top of his duties in administration, Sage is also the head athletic trainer for men's basketball, women's volleyball, cheerleading and women's bowling. Sage also serves as the NATA ICSM NCAA Division II Panel Chair, as well as the Sports Medicine Liason for the East Coast Conference.
He is licensed in athletic training (LAT) and holds certifications in athletic training (ATC), strength and conditioning (CSCS) and performance enhancement (PES).
