The Sul Ross State athletic training program has always received high praise for the superb care it provides.
Last school year, the program was recognized for the second-straight year as the American Southwest Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year.
Recently, Rachel Gillespie was hired as the new head athletic trainer.
Gillespie brings a lot of experience to Sul Ross State after spending a majority of her career at the NCAA Division II level.
Sul Ross State is in the process of transitioning to the Division II level.
"I love the D-II level. It's very much a family environment. Everyone knows everybody," she said. "It's an environment I love to work in. All the sports teams support each other.
"Just with the transition, it's something I'm really excited to be a part of."
Last fall, the athletic training program was accepted into candidacy for endorsement by the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association.
Sul Ross State is one of three schools so far that has become a qualified candidate. This allows undergraduate students to sit for the state of Texas athletic training licensure exam.
Former associate athletic director for sports medicine Billy Ray Laxton along with longtime athletic trainer Charles "Doc" Prude played a vital role in helping build the athletic training program up to where it is now.
"My plan is just to keep building on what Billy has already put in place, which is continuing the high standard of care," added Gillespie.
Gillespie previously spent time as the head athletic trainer and an assistant trainer at Division II Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
Before that, she worked at Division II Emporia State University in Kansas where she served as an assistant trainer.
Gillespie got her start in athletic training at Division II University of Virginia's College at Wise in 2017. She later served as an assistant athletic trainer at Graceland University, an NAIA member in Lamoni, Iowa.
A member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, she received her master of education from Northwestern Oklahoma State in 2017.
Gillespie holds a bachelor of science in athletic training from Miami (Ohio) University.
From assistant athletic trainer Jimmy Cano to the student trainers, Gillespie has had a very welcoming experience at Sul Ross State.
"I've only been here a week, but the town's great. The scenery alone speaks for itself," she said. "It's a great environment. People are super friendly. Everybody's willing to help.
"I want to provide the best care I can for the athletes at Sul Ross and give as much of my experience to my athletic training students."
