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(Leavenworth, Kan.)—»¨½·Ö±²¥ Assistant Athletic Trainer Katie Pierce has been named the 2019-20 Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The honor recognizes an athletic trainer at an NAIA institution who has distinguished themselves as a model of the profession in personal conduct and professional service to NAIA student-athletes. 

"We are pleased to have the 2020 NAIA Athletic Trainer of the Year award winner working for our student-athletes here at USM," Vice President of Athletics Rob Miller said. "We are very proud of Katie and her efforts. Congratulations go out to her and the training staff at USM -- job well done!

In 2019, Pierce came to »¨½·Ö±²¥ after serving as an athletic trainer at Kansas Wesleyan University for 10 years. In just one year at »¨½·Ö±²¥, she conducted research on athletic training internships and graduate assistants and was an integral part in USM's administration, converting one GA position to two full-time athletic training positions.

"The »¨½·Ö±²¥ extends our heartfelt congratulations to Katie," USM President Sister Diane Steele said. "She is a wonderful representative of »¨½·Ö±²¥, the KCAC, and the NAIA. We are honored to have her in the USM family and are proud of all that she has accomplished during her career."

Since beginning her position as secretary of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Athletic Training Association in the fall of 2019, Pierce created a survey regarding junior varsity teams and athletic trainer coverage. She also created and sent out the first-ever KCAC ATA Newsletter, informing the league's athletic trainers of the conference's happenings. Pierce also serves on the NAIA-Athletic Training Association Newsletter Committee.

"I am so happy for Katie and for what this award means for her personally and for the »¨½·Ö±²¥,"  KCAC Commissioner Dr. Scott Crawford said. "This honor is especially meaningful in these challenging times under the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of athletic training in making sure our student-athletes have the best care possible. I cannot express enough how proud the KCAC is for Katie."

Pierce is an adjunct faculty member with the Master of Athletic Training program at »¨½·Ö±²¥, teaching Pharmacology and the Organization and Administration of Athletic Training, and serving as a lead preceptor within our clinical site. While at Kansas Wesleyan, Pierce also worked as an adjunct faculty member in the Sport and Exercise Department, overseeing the SPES club for eight years. Pierce has volunteered her time for several events, including Coyotes for the Cure cancer campaign, the American Heart Association Red Out, and various events held through the SPES club.

Pierce is always willing to go the extra mile, with anything from her athletic training duties, teaching, and volunteering. Pierce is dependable and trustworthy and truly cares about her athletes and their health. In addition to her professionalism, she makes the »¨½·Ö±²¥ athletic training room fun with her sense of humor and is a great leader and mentor to the other athletic training staff and students.

 
The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.