Wingate University Named Athletic Training Staff Of The Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Wingate University athletic training staff, under the direction of Leigh Ann Caldwell, has been selected as the 2009-10 Athletic Training Staff of the Year in the South Atlantic Conference. Wingate earns this award for the first time. The award is voted on by the head athletic trainer at each of the member institutions in the South Atlantic Conference.

Caldwell is entering her 12th year at Wingate University, eighth as head athletic trainer. Her primary sporting assignments are men’s basketball and softball. She oversees the entire Wingate athletic training department. Caldwell is responsible for the staffing and medical coverage of 20 sports and approximately 530 student-athletes. 

She directly supervises five staff members and 35 athletic training students. Her duties include all doctor appointments, daily treatments, rehabilitations, practice and game coverage. Caldwell is responsible for the department budget, all institutional and NCAA drug testing and inventory/supplies/scheduling coverage for three athletic training rooms.

Caldwell is an instructor for two classes in the Wingate University athletic training education curriculum. She organizes and mediates all physicians on-campus clinics, including on-campus physicals.

A member of Wingate’s six-person Athletic Management team, Caldwell assists with strategic planning, policies and procedures for the entire athletic department, along with organizing events and functions on campus.

Leigh Ann Caldwell

Caldwell is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and is licensed through the state of North Carolina. She is a certified examiner with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification and is an approved clinical instructor with the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Caldwell received her undergraduate degree in Health Promotion with a minor in Athletic Training from Appalachian State University. She earned her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Wingate University.

Also on the Wingate Athletic Training Staff in 2009-10 were assistant athletic trainers Erin D. Thornton and Tim Singleton and graduate assistant athletic trainers Devon Smith, Misty Tate and Trey Tyler.