General | 10/6/2020 9:59:08 AM
Mike Conroy serves as the Head Athletic Trainer for Nazareth's 26-team athletic program. The 2020-21 academic year will mark his 11th as a member of Nazareth's athletic training staff and fifth as head athletic trainer.
A Rochester native, Conroy received his bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from SUNY Cortland in 2003. He stayed on as a graduate assistant at Cortland to receive his master’s degree in Exercise Science in 2005. Prior to joining the Golden Flyers, Conroy spent two years at fellow Empire 8 institution Alfred University as an assistant athletic trainer, working primarily with the football team as well as being involved as a clinical instructor and lecturer in the Athletic Training Education Program. He also spent three years at Westfield State University as an assistant athletic trainer and adjunct professor in the Athletic Training education program.
Mike Conroy - Today's Leaders
Institution: Nazareth College
Title: Head Athletic Trainer
Year at Current Institution: Entering his 11th year at Nazareth
College Attended/Class Year: SUNY Cortland ’03 (undergrad), ’05 (masters)
Favorite Professional Pro Team: Buffalo Bills
Favorite Movie: Caddyshack
Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: I have a six-year old son and two-year daughter so there are a lot of cartoons on in our house.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies and Cream
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences: There is a strong emphasis on both academic and athletic success.
Favorite Memory as a Administrator at Nazareth: I think anytime we get the chance see one of our teams win a conference championship and get the opportunity to compete in the NCAA tournament is a great experience for everyone involved.
Who Was Your Biggest Mentor and Why: Personally: My father, he taught me the value of hard work and an education. Professionally; Rich Pierce, Head Athletic Trainer at Westfield State College. He was a wealth of knowledge as well as an amazing person.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being an Administrator: The relationships we get the opportunity to build with our student-athletes. We help athletes overcome some of their most challenging times. To play a role in assisting them back to the sport they love safely and be successfully is the ultimate reward.
What Have You Learned About Yourself as a Leader and In Your Role: Even more so now with the current state of the nation, I have learned that with hard work, preparation/dedication to a goal, and drive you can solve almost any problem. We have an amazing sports medicine staff here at Nazareth and I rely heavily on their input to collectively provide the very best sports medicine care possible.
What Type of Leader Are You: I believe in working hard but doing so with positivity, I would also never ask someone to do something that I would not do myself.
What Are Some Positive Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic You Have Experienced? To witness and take part in the college working collaboratively on a something that was for the greater good of all. To be able to collaborate with multiple divisions/departments on how we move forward safely allowed me to work alongside individuals whom I would have never had the opportunity had it not been for the COVID-19 virus.
How Have You Had to Adjust as a Coach or Administrator to the Pandemic? It has made us re-evaluate almost all aspect of sports participation as well as sports medicine practices. This has made each aspect of what we do more challenging but I believe through our staff's hard work and collaborative planning we have been successful. We implemented a structured testing schedule for every team as well as practicing in masks. We operate by an appointment based system now and control the occupancy in all our Athletic Training rooms.
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: My family and I lived in England for four years when I was between the ages of 8 and 12 years old.
Advice for First-Year Student-Athletes: Be a sponge, ask a lot of questions and don’t be afraid to fail.
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes: Live in each moment. Acknowledge those who helped you get to where you are. And don’t take these last months for granted and make sure to stay connected with your school once you leave.
The Empire 8 Conference's “Today’s Leaders Compete Here” Series features a coach or administrator from one of its member institutions who exemplifies leadership.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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