Tricia Matysak (MATT-a-sack), formerly the assistant athletic trainer at Notre Dame, has joined the Kentucky athletic training staff and will work primarily with the UK women?s basketball program. Her secondary responsibilities are women?s golf, rifle and gymnastics. She replaces Pam Waller, who left in September to become the Director of Women?s Health at Florida.
Matysak, originally of Knox, Ind., has over nine years experience in the athletic training field. She was in her fourth season at Notre Dame as the men?s soccer and men?s and women?s lacrosse athletic trainer. She also assisted with the Fighting Irish football team and other Olympic sports while also performing administrative duties. Matysak supervised approximately 16 student athletic trainers at Notre Dame, directed continuing education programs and served as the Sports Medicine Correspondence Coordinator.
?We are excited about Tricia joining our Kentucky family,? UK Coach Mickie DeMoss said. ?We felt she was the right fit for our program in terms of her energy, enthusiasm and athletic training experience. She is a great communicator and that is so important. The trainer is in constant communication with me and also with our student-athletes. I look forward to working with her.?
Prior to Notre Dame, Matysak did post-graduate work at Auburn from 1999-2001, receiving a master?s of education in higher education administration with an emphasis in sport management. She also served as a graduate assistant trainer for the Tiger softball program and assisted with football, women?s soccer, swimming, golf and basketball events.
?To add this caliber of professional to our athletic training staff is exciting,? Director of Sports Medicine Jim Madaleno said. ?The direction of Mickie DeMoss? program played a key role in Tricia?s recruitment. She has the experience and the attitude to go along with a rising women?s basketball program.?
Matysak graduated from Purdue in 1999 with a degree in athletic training. While pursuing her degree, she served as a student athletic trainer with primary responsibilities for softball, women?s soccer, volleyball and football.
?I?m really excited about joining the staff at Kentucky,? Matysak said. ?Coach DeMoss and her staff are well respected in the coaching ranks and I look forward to being a part of the UK family.?
Matysak is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the NATABOC.
