Athletic Training | 7/9/2022 5:41:00 PM
ORLANDO - Barry University head athletic trainer, Matthew Santos-Vitorino, was named the College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Athletic Trainers' Association of Florida (ATAF) at the annual meeting on Saturday.
Awarded to an athletic trainer practicing within the collegiate setting, the College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year, is presented in recognition of their professionalism, dedication to their patients, and actions that advance athletic training and the mission of The Athletic Trainers' Association of Florida. The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the Florida Department of Health, member of ATAF, and practice in the college/university setting for a minimum of three years. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.
"Matthew goes above and beyond to service the athletes and as well as being a clinical preceptor," Yi-Tze Kuo, the Barry University Clinical Education Coordinator, said. "He gives more than he has and takes tremendous pride in what he does."
Santos-Vitorino has been with the Buccaneers as a graduate assistant, assistant and now head athletic trainer off and on since 2009. He has worked with numerous national championship programs, including most of the Bucs' 11 national titles in women's and men's tennis.
Santos-Vitorino received his undergraduate degree in athletic training form Lasell University in 2008. He earned a master's degree from Barry University in injury sport biomechanics in 2010. His graduate work was published in the Lower Extremity Review in February of 2012.
In addition to the ATAF, he is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) as well as being a certified professional rescuer by the American Red Cross. He serves on the NATA – Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM) as the Division II Region 2 Representative. Additionally, he also serves, at the state level, as a member for the ATAF: College & Universities Athletic Trainer Committee. He is also a member of the ATAF Honors & Awards Committee.
