The American Southwest Conference opens celebration of National Athletic Training Month with recognition of Sul Ross State University as the 2021-22 ASC Athletic Training Staff of the Year.
 
The full-time athletic training staff at Sul Ross State in 2021-22 included Billy Ray Laxton, Associate Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine, and Assistant Directors of Athletic Training, Anya Malloch and Reagan Ridlehuber.
 
This is the second time Sul Ross State has been voted by the ASC Directors of Athletic Training as a recipient of the annual award. SRSU was honored in 2010-11 as the ASC West Division Athletic Training Staff of the Year with Charles Prude serving as Director of Athletic Training.
 
"I am incredibly proud of the level of service our athletic training staff provides our student-athletes. Knowing the students are being treated by a highly trained, highly professional staff who truly cares for them is a great asset to student-athlete well-being," said Amanda Workman, Sul Ross State Director of Athletics. "The athletic training staff is such an integral part of all the Lobo teams and work tirelessly in service to our athletes."
 
Laxton has overseen Sul Ross State athletic training services since fall 2018. In addition to working with the SRSU teams, he is an adjunct lecturer in Kinesiology and Human Performance and a clinical instructor in the apprenticeship program.
 
Laxton was a member of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor athletic training staffs, which won ASC West Division awards in 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2008-09.
 
"What a great honor for our staff as this award says a lot about the people involved, from assistants Anya [Malloch] and Reagan [Ridlehuber] to the many student athletic trainers," Laxton said. "I am so proud to be associated with this program and our university."
 
Malloch joined the Sul Ross State staff in August 2019 and over her three years covered every sport on campus, was an adjunct lecturer in Kinesiology and a clinical instructor in the apprenticeship program.
 
She is now a member of the Tarleton State University athletic training staff covering volleyball and women's basketball.
 
"Putting the health and well-being of the athletes at Sul Ross is always our number one priority. I am honored we have been selected as the ASC Athletic Training Staff of the year," said Malloch. "Having our efforts and dedication by our peers in the conference makes the award even more meaningful."
 
A graduate of Howard Payne University, Ridlehuber came to Sul Ross State in 2021 and covered men's and women's soccer and softball in addition to assisting with student athletic training education.
 
Ridlehuber is currently a middle school athletic trainer in Plano, Texas.
 
"It's a huge honor to be a part of receiving this award from the ASC. I was blessed to work with an amazing athletic training staff, student-athletes, coaches and administrators," added Ridlehuber.
 
The ASC Athletic Training Staff of the Year award is presented by the conference Directors of Athletic Training.
 
Full-time athletic trainers who have been at their institution for at least two years, licensed and in good standing with professional organizations are in consideration for the award.
 
 
ASC Athletic Training Staff of the Year

2022-23	Sul Ross State University
2021-22	Sul Ross State University
2020-21	Belhaven
2019-20	McMurry
2018-19	East Texas Baptist
2017-18	Mary Hardin-Baylor
2016-17	Louisiana College, UT Dallas (co)
2015-16	East Texas Baptist
2014-15	UT Tyler
2013-14	Concordia Texas
2012-13	Ozarks, UT Dallas (co)
	East Division	West Division
2011-12	Louisiana College	Schreiner
2010-11	Ozarks	Sul Ross State
2009-10	LeTourneau	Hardin-Simmons
2008-09	Mississippi College, UT Dallas (co)	Mary Hardin-Baylor
2007-08	Ozarks	Howard Payne
2006-07	UT Dallas	Mary Hardin-Baylor
2005-06	East Texas Baptist	Hardin-Simmons
2004-05	UT Dallas	Mary Hardin-Baylor

 
The ASC moved from East and West Division awards to a single award in the 2012-13 academic year.