Athletic Training Faculty
Rita Smith MA, LAT, ATC
Assistant Professor
Director of Athletic Training Education
Chair, Division of Sport and Wellness Studies
Senior Woman Administrator for Athletics
smithr@lmc.edu
Rita Smith came to Lees-McRae in 1983 as an athletic trainer, assistant basketball and assistant tennis coach as well as associate dormitory director. Over the years she has guided the growth of the athletic training program from just herself, to its current level as an CAATE accredited program with four additional certified athletic trainers and thirteen athletic training students. During her time at Lees McRae, Rita has also worked numerous camps and special events from Dave Cowens Basketball Schools to Special Olympic World Games and NCAA Division II Track & Field Championship. Rita earned her Bachelor of Science from University North Carolina Greensboro and her Master of Arts from Appalachian State University. She is a NATA certified athletic trainer as well as a North Carolina licensed athletic trainer. Rita currently resides in Banner Elk, NC.
Bradley Huff MS, LAT, ATC
Clinical Coordinator
Instructor
Assistant Athletic Trainer
huff@lmc.edu
Bradley Huff joined the Lees-McRae Athletic Training staff in the summer of 2000. Brad comes to Lees-McRae after spending ten years in the clinical setting as a rehabilitation specialist and director of rehabilitation services in Macon, Ga. Prior to this he spent a year at Andrew Junior College in Cuthbert, GA as their Head Athletic Trainer. Brad earned his Associate degree from Andrew Junior College, his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Minor Athletic Training from Appalachian State University and his Master of Science in Athletic Training from Indiana State University. He is a NATA certified athletic trainer as well as a North Carolina Licensed athletic trainer. Brad currently resides in Banner Elk, NC with his wife Stephanie and two sons Daniel and Brandon.
Joe Hawkins, MA, LAT, ATC, CSCS, EMT-P
Head Athletic Trainer
hawkinsj@lmc.edu
Joe Hawkins joined the Lees-McRae Athletic Training staff in the summer of 2003. Joe comes to Lees-McRae after spending a year at Chowan College as their Head Men's Athletic Trainer. Prior to this he spent fifteen years in professional baseball as an athletic trainer in the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets organizations. During this time he also spent nine years working in the clinical setting during the off-seasons in Charlotte. Joe earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte and his Master of Arts in Health Studies from the University of Alabama. He is a NATA certified athletic trainer, North Carolina Licensed athletic trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified North Carolina EMT Paramedic. Joe currently resides in Linville, NC with his wife Susan, sons Austin & Larkin and daughter Sara.
Mike Nyquist, MA, LAT, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
nyquistm@lmc.edu
Mike joined the Lees-McRae Athletic Training staff in the summer of 2006. Mike a former graduate of Lees-McRae College comes to us from East Tennessee State University where he earned his Masters in Physical Education-Sport Management. While there he took care of the day to day needs of the cross country and track and field teams. Before going to ETSU he worked for a year as an athletic training intern at Costal Carolina University were his primary duties were with the women's soccer and women's basketball teams. He is a NATA certified athletic trainer as well as a North Carolina and Tennessee Licensed athletic trainer. Mike currently resides in Banner Elk, NC.
Jill Sparrow, MBA, LAT, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
sparrowj@lmc.edu
Jill joined the Lees-McRae Athletic Training staff in September of 2009. Jill, an Appalachian State University graduate, comes to Lees-McRae after spending 3 years at Greensboro College, during which time she earned her Master's of Business Administration with a concentraton in Health Care Management from East Carolina University. While at Greensboro College, she was responsible for the day to day needs of the women's soccer, men's basketball, men's and women's tennis, and softball teams. She is an NATA certified athletic trainer as well as a North Carolina licensed athletic trainer. Jill currently resides in Banner Elk, NC.