General | 10/11/2023 9:19:52 AM
Dave Tomkalski, Elmira College’s head athletics trainer, has coordinated the sports medicine services for the Soaring Eagles athletics program since arriving on campus 1993. Additionally, Tomkalski is an instructor in physical education, teaching courses in sports medicine.
Tomkalski earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Athletic Training from the University of Toledo and a master’s degree in Sports Medicine from Western Michigan University. He is certified by the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) and the state of New York, as well as being a certified instructor for the American Red Cross in First Aid and CPR.
Prior to his arrival at Elmira College, Tomkalski served as the head athletics trainer at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, The American University in Washington, D.C., a sports medicine clinic in eastern Pennsylvania, and as an assistant athletics trainer at Grand Valley State College in Allendale, Michigan. In addition, Tomkalski has worked as an intern trainer with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA and as a staff trainer for the 1984 Olympic Wrestling Trials.
Tomkalski is one of the founders and the first president of the District of Columbia Athletic Trainers Association. He is an active member of the Elmira community, having presented at many clinics and symposiums, including lecturing volunteers of the Special Olympics on how to recognize and treat injuries.
Empire 8 Associate Commissioner
Joe Venniro says: "Dave is a legend in the athletic training field and has served in such a valuable role for our student-athletes since the Empire 8's inception. He is a champion of the Division III experience and is an integral part of the Elmira community. Equally as important, Dave has served as a mentor to countless student-athletes and staff members during his time at Elmira and throughout the Empire 8. I am fortunate to call Dave a mentor, colleague and friend."
Coach/Administrator Name: Dave Tomkalski
School: Elmira College
Title: Head Athletic Trainer
Year at Current Institution/Total in College Athletics: 29 at Elmira College/41 total in college athletics
College Attended/Class Year: University of Toledo ’79 & Western Michigan University ‘81
Years associated with the Empire 8 Conference: 25 years, since its inception
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: Jim Brown/Cleveland Browns
Favorite Movies: Dirty Dozen & Sound of Music
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: “Shrinking”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Moose Tracks & Pistachio
What Do You Enjoy Doing When Away From College Athletics?
Spending time with my family. Traveling. Read nonfiction books about American and world history and autobiographies.
Dream Vacation Spots: Canyon area in Western U.S. and someplace tropical
Favorite Athletic Memory as a Coach/Administrator:
Winning the 2013-2014 Men’s Ice Hockey ECAC West Championship with my son Kyle on the bench with me as a student manager.
Who Were Your Greatest Mentor(s) and Why:
First, my parents because they showed me what you can achieve with hard work and sacrifice and they were always supportive.
Charlie Strasser: In 1974 I started college at Lakeland Community College and that is where the Cleveland Cavaliers held their training camp. I was able to help the team during that camp and Charlie, the athletic trainer, took me under his wing. He pushed me to go to a NATA certification program after my first year at LCC. He taught, guided and challenged me during that time and beyond. He allowed me to come back and assist until I took my first job.
Jim Nice: Was the head athletic trainer at the University of Toledo. He was like a father away from home for me and others in the program. His teaching method was teach, observe, consult and let us perform the evaluations and treatment. He taught us to enjoy being a college student, but be disciplined and professional when we represented the athletic department. He would say things like “when you fly with the owls at night you better be able to soar with the rockets in the morning” and “you can’t make the club in the tub.” I have used these and many other sayings to students and assistants that worked with me over the years to stress a point I wanted to get across to them.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach/Administrator:
Watching young people who are scared, dependent on their parents, etc., come to college and grow into self-functioning young productive adults.
What is your favorite aspect of Division III Athletics?
The emphasis of academics over athletics while still providing the student the ability to continue their love of athletics and to nurture those important attributes that is learned in athletics. Also, the ability to do many things while they are students-athletes like be two-sport athletes.
What is your favorite memory from your time in the Empire 8 Conference? (please be specific)
The Elmira women’s volleyball team winning the 2000 Empire 8 conference championship while being somewhat of an underdog. The team was made up of a group of great women who were high achievers and believed they could and they did.
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences?
It stresses the values of the small private college philosophy and it stresses hard, fair play.
In your opinion, what would you say the league has done a great job of during your association with the Empire 8 Conference?
Keeping the core colleges together and trying to find other institutions that fit into our mission and philosophy.
If you could use just one word to describe the Empire 8 Conference, what would it be?
Unique
If you had to describe the Empire 8 to someone who knew nothing about it, what would you tell them?
It is made up of a group of colleges who believe in providing their student-athletes with good academics, with liberal arts as an important aspect and the ability to compete competitively in many different sports.
Finally, 25 years from now, what do you hope people are saying about the Empire 8 Conference?
That we have not lost our values and mission to support small private liberal arts colleges.
Advice for Aspiring Student-Athletes:
Be a good student, go to all your classes, listen and learn from your teachers and coaches, work hard at everything you do and have fun. The four years go by very fast so don’t waste time, get involved with clubs, events, the community, etc. For youth or high school students, study hard most scholarships in college are academic not athletic, you have a much better chance getting a scholarship for good grades then being a good athlete.
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes:
Always work hard, always be honest and never give up on your dreams. The most important thing is to make sure you laugh every day; laughter is what makes everything ok.
The Empire 8 is celebrating its 25th anniversary season in 2023-24 and will be celebrating various coaches, administrators and former student-athletes throughout the year as part of the Empire 8 25th Anniversary Legends series. In addition, the league will honor various championship teams and former Players of the Year on social media platforms throughout the 2023-24 season. The conference will also be using the #E825 and #E8Anniversary hashtags on its Twitter and Instagram platforms as a way for fans to follow along throughout the year.
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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