Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Burnside Named Head Trainer at Florida Atlantic
8/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 2, 2007
Burnside Named Head Trainer at Florida Atlantic Owls Also Add Three to Training Staff, One to Strength Staff
BOCA RATON, FL (August 2, 2007) - Florida Atlantic University recently promoted John Burnside as head athletic trainer. In addition, the Owls added two new assistant trainers, a graduate assistant trainer, and an assistant strength and conditioning coach to the school's athletic support staff.
Burnside came to FAU in March of 2006 and acted as the head football trainer before being promoted. He joined the Owls from McNeese State, where he was an assistant athletic trainer.
"We are excited to have John assume the role of head athletics trainer. Since his arrival in the spring of 2006, he has worked extremely hard to maintain and improve the medical care of our football team," said Melissa Dawson, FAU's associate athletic director. "We feel he is one of the bright young minds in the athletic training profession and look forward to seeing our program grow under his leadership."
Garrick Edwards joins the training room after working at the University of Miami for four years. Edwards, who received his undergraduate degree from Kansas State and a graduate degree from Miami, worked with men's basketball, swimming, rowing, volleyball, track and field, and cheerleading programs while with the Hurricanes. His prior experience includes four years as a student trainer at Kansas State and a one-year stint with the New England Patriots as an assistant trainer.
Stephanie Nitsch is another newcomer to FAU's training staff. Nitsch, who received her undergraduate degree from UCF and her graduate degree from UAB, worked with softball while performing as a graduate assistant for the last two years at UAB. She also assisted with men's and women's basketball, rifle, football, volleyball and golf.
Stephanie Nicholson, a graduate assistant, will also join the training staff. She joins the Owls after attending Oklahoma State as an undergraduate before working with Villanova as an intern. At Villanova, Nicholson was responsible for men's soccer and softball, in addition to several other duties essential to the training room.
"We've hired a good, young staff who all come highly recommended," said Burnside.
Andrea Sweet joined FAU's strength and conditioning staff as an assistant. Sweet comes to FAU from Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, where she acted as a head strength coach. Previously, she worked with Velocity Sports Performance and as a head strength coach for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA. Sweet joins Matt Pleskovic as an assistant strength and conditioning coach under Tony Smith, FAU's head strength and conditioning coach.
"Andrea is very knowledgeable and comes with a lot of experience. She is going to be a great asset to my staff," said Smith.
