Get to Know: Dave Tomkalski
The talented administrators, coaches and staff working at our member institutions help to make the Empire 8 Conference successful. And the Get to Know Feature is a way for fans to get a better idea of who these individuals are.
Dave Tomkalski is the head athletic trainer at Elmira College.
Where did you attend college? What was your major? Where you a student-athlete? I attended the University of Toledo for my undergraduate work. I majored in PE and minored in Health and Athletic Training. I went to Western Michigan University for my master’s degree in Athletic Training. I was not a student-athlete but I did a lot with the teams as an athletic trainer.
What made you chose to attend the Toldeo and Western Michigan as an undergrad and/or graduate student? At the University of Toledo, it was a small college and it felt great on the interview. And I had the chance to work football my first year at Toledo and continue each year I was there. I was an assistant athletic trainer at Grand Valley State at the time I chose Western Michigan.
How long have you been working at your Elmira? 23 years.
What interested you and brought you to Elmira? The location because it is midway between my hometown and my wife’s hometown. The people are great and Elmira has hockey and not football.
What is the best thing about the Elmira Campus? It has a family feel.
When you hear “Elmira” what is the first word that comes to mind? Opportunity
Who has been the most influential person during your career? Why? Charlie Strasser, who was the head athletic trainer for the Cleveland Cavaliers. I got to meet him when I was a freshman at a junior college and he guided me early in my career. Jim Nice, the head athletic trainer at Toldeo, was a mentor and a lot of the tactics and things I do today I learned from him.
What do you do in your spare time? I like to be around family. Work around the yard, watch TV, travel.
Top 3 things on your bucket list? Travel to Alaska, Tour to Europe, and visit as many National Parks in the US as possible.
What is something most people don’t know about you? My wife and I cycled 118 miles in one day.
Rapid Fire questions
Favorite food: Maryland Back fin crab cake
Favorite band/musician: Elvis
Favorite TV show(s): Big Bang Theory
Favorite Movie: Anything with Alfred Hitchcock
Favorite Book: John Adams
Favorite place to visit: Beach
Can’t live without: Family