Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
-- Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

Mission
The Houghton University Athletic Trainers seek to provide medical services; including the prevention, recognition, evaluation, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries to the physically active.  We aim to serve the athletic population at Houghton University, striving every day to lead and labor as scholar-servants while glorifying our Lord God.
 
Services
The Houghton University Athletic Training staff serves Houghton's intercollegiate athletic teams and opponents. Athletic Training encompasses the prevention, prognosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving both impairment and functional limitations (NATA.org). Houghton University Athletic Training focuses on the recognition, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries. Treatments offered in the Athletic Training Room range from hot/cold modalities (ice/heat packs), ultrasound, electrical stimulation, whirlpool therapy, and therapeutic exercise, among others. 
 
Athletic Training Room Facilities
Houghton provides a full array of athletic training services at two locations.

The Nielsen Center facility is located between the men's and women's locker rooms and is open from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday - Friday during the academic year. Times may change during finals, university breaks and May Term. The facility features five taping stations, three rehab tables, two whirlpools, and various therapeutic modalities all designed to serve the athletic population at Houghton University.

The Kerr-Pegula Field House training room is located in the northest corner of the facility and includes six taping stations, four treatment tables, three whirlpools and a private examination room.
 

Nielsen Center Training Room
Kerr-Pegula Field House Training Room

Staff

The Athletic Training Department consists of certified athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coach, and a team physician. As a team they work closely with area Physicians, Orthopedics, and Physical Therapist to provide the most comprehensive treatment for all student-athlete needs.

	Deanna Hand, MS, LAT, ATC Associate Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine and Administration / Senior Women Administrator  Deanna Hand joined the Houghton Highlanders as Head Athletic Trainer in 2002.  Ten years later, in addition to her Athletic Training responsibilities, she was appointed the first Senior Woman Administrator for the Houghton University Athletic Department. Deanna oversees the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of Houghton's Athletic Advisory Board. Deanna received her Bachelors of Science degree in 1998 from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in Sports & Recreation Management with a specialization in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. In December of 2000 she earned her Master's degree from the University of West Florida in Health, Leisure & Sports with a concentration in Exercise Science.  Prior to joining the Highlanders, she worked for the Olean Medical Group as a Certified Athletic Trainer serving area high schools and the Olean campus of Jamestown Community College. Deanna currently lives in Angelica with her husband, son, and daughter. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, and is a former proud swim mom for the Genesee Valley Aqua-Jags Swim Team and GVCS high school.
	Austin Walden, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS. Head Athletic Trainer Austin Walden joined the athletic training staff in August 2020. A graduate of Alfred University, Walden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training and a minor in coaching. With the Saxons, Walden worked with the volleyball, women's soccer, men's lacrosse, and men's basketball programs. The Farmington, N.Y. native also completed a stint at the local high school where he worked alongside the men's and women's basketball programs. Walden is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
	Leslie Moose, MS, LAT, ATC Assistant Athletic Trainer - From Swain, NY - 2019 graduate of Houghton University with a BA in biology - MS in Athletic Training from Lock Haven University (2021), followed by an internship with the University at Buffalo working with softball, football, and swim & dive - After graduation, served as the athletic trainer for Canisteo-Greenwood High School with experience in a variety of sports - Summer athletic trainer for the Hornell Steamers baseball team - Member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)
	Connor Englert, BS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, USAW1 Head Strength and Conditioning Coach / Assistant Athletic Trainer - Graduated with a BS degree from Alfred University majoring in Athletic Training in 2023, with a minor in Exercise Science. - He is also a former collegiate athlete at Alfred University where he played quarterback, wide receiver, safety, and special teams for the Saxons football team for four years. - As an athletic training student, he worked with the Saxons, Alfred State Pioneers, and Houghton Highlanders with an array of teams, including football, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, track & field, and swim & dive. - He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
	David Brubaker, M.D. Team Physician David is a 1990 Houghton graduate and obtained his M.D. from the SUNY- Health Science Center, Syracuse in 1994.  He completed his residency training in Family Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY in 1997 after which he and his family moved to Houghton where he worked in a local family practice office while serving on the clinical faculty for a rural family practice training program affiliated with University of Buffalo Dept. of Family Medicine.  In 2001, during his appointment with UB, he completed a Faculty Development Fellowship in Sports Medicine.  David's transition to Houghton occurred in 2006.  Since that time he has considered it a privilege to serve students both in the health center as a University and Team Physician and in the classroom teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology for the Biology Dept.   David lives in Houghton with his wife, LuAnne, and 4 daughters, Rachel, Alana, Katie, and Ellie.

REQUIRED STEPS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION
Returning Houghton Student-Athletes

First-time Houghton Student-Athletes 

Important Links

Mental Health & Wellness Resources

Pre-Participation Physical Examination and Medical Eligibility Forms

Houghton University Concussion Safety Protocol

Return to Learn Concussion Protocol

NCAA Concussion Resources

NCAA List of Banned Substances