Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney Athletics announced today that Whitney Ryan has been promoted to Associate Head Athletic Trainer.

The native of Horton, Kan., is currently in her seventh year in the UNK Sports Medicine Department. Her previous title was Assistant Athletic Trainer.

"Whitney has become an invaluable member of our Sports Medicine team. She makes us better and adds value to our Athletic Department," said Bill Murphy, Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. 

Ryan is the primary Athletic Trainer for Loper women's soccer and the men's and women's basketball teams. She also assists in day-to-day coverage for all UNK student-athletes and handles administration for Sports Medicine. That includes paperwork for inventory, insurance and physicals for all student-athletes. Her new position will involve leadership and oversight of all operations of the Sports Medicine Department.

"We are fortunate to have the caliber of Sports Medicine program that we have for an NCAA Division II athletic department. Promoting Whitney to Associate Head Athletic Trainer will strengthen the leadership role and support for our nine female programs and the quality of Sports Medicine care we have come to be known for at UNK," said Loper Director of Athletics Marc Bauer.   

Holding a B.S. in Science from the University of Kansas and a Master's in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Ryan spent one year at Division I Florida International University in Miami before coming to UNK in 2013. Working primarily with the Panthers baseball program, she also assisted the Head Athletic Trainer with daily operations of the athletic training room. Ryan also was responsible for all aspects of pre-participation physicals.

Beginning her professional career as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at UNLV, Ryan was Head Athletic Trainer at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College for two years before going to FIU.

"Whitney's promotion with more responsibility is very much deserved and I'm excited about the future of UNK Sports Medicine," said Murphy.

Besides Murphy and Ryan, the Sports Medicine Department includes Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers Jon Blazer, Hailey McNee, and Zach Scherwinski with Doug Cooper, ATC from New West Sports Medicine, being a part-time Athletic Trainer for the Lopers.