Carson-Newman’s Van Bruggen named CUATC’s 2012 Head Athletic Trainer of the Year

Carson-Newman head athletic trainer Mike Van Bruggen has been named the 2012 Head Athletic Trainer of the Year for NCAA Division II schools. The award is given by the College & University Athletic Trainers Committee (CUATC) of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).

Van Bruggen is in his 12th year as Carson-Newman’s Head Athletic Trainer. He primarily serves as athletic trainer for C-N’s football and softball teams, while overseeing all aspects of health care for C-N’s 450 student-athletes in 16 sports.

Van Bruggen has served on several athletic trainer committees on the state and regional levels. He also serves as a volunteer with the American Red Cross and on the medical staff for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon each spring. He also donates his time as a clinical instructor for Lincoln Memorial University.

In 2009, Van Bruggen wasnamed the Eugene Smith/Mickey O’Brien College Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Tennessee Athletic Trainer’s Society.

Carson-Newman’s head athletic trainer mentors a staff of four certified athletic trainers and serves as liaison between the C-N athletic department and team physicians.

Van Bruggen was also instrumental in the design of Carson-Newman’s state-of-the-art athletic training room in the new football operations building. He also helped fundraise for the 4,000 square-ft. facility which serves as the primary training-room for C-N’s championship football program.

Prior to arriving in Jefferson City in 2000, Mike was the Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director at Howard Payne University in Texas. He has also held appointments at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona and in the New York Mets minor league system. Van Bruggen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree from the University of Arizona.

Each year the CUATC recognizes one individual from each collegiate division for their exceptional performance as a head athletic trainer.

The award will be presented June 28 at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Mo.

Mike is married to the former Sheri Whitney and they have one son, Alex and a daughter, Samantha.