Head Athletic Trainer, Medical Coordinator, Athletic Facilities Director, Assistant Athletic Director/SWA

Debra R. Runkle, MA, ATC/L

BS: South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 1979

Major: Physical Education Minor: Athletic Training & Coaching

MA:MankatoStateUniversity, Mankato, MN 1984

Thesis: "The Effects of Full Hip-Flexion and 45-Degree Straight Leg Raising Exercises on Retropatellar Pain."

Debra earned her bachelor of science in physical education from South DakotaStateUniversity (Brookings, SD), and her master of arts in physical education from MankatoStateUniversity (Mankato, MN) with an emphasis on sports medicine.

A certified athletic trainer since 1979, she has traveled internationally as a member of the United States Olympic Training Center (USOC).As a medical staff member for the USOC she has traveled with Team USA to the 2000 Olympics in Sidney, Australia, 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, 1998 World Youth Games in Moscow, Russia, and the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.Additionally, she served as athletic trainer with the USA Wheelchair Team and Cerebral Palsy Teams.In 1982 she received the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Outstanding Research and Injury Award.

Previously, she was an Assistant Professor and Athletic Trainer at MinnesotaStateUniversity, Mankato.She taught various classes with the Human Performance Department and in the nationally known accredited Athletic Training program for 17 years. Prior to MSU, M she was employed as instructor and athletic trainer at Chadron State College, and was a teacher, coach and athletic trainer in the Dell Rapids School District, in Dell Rapids, South Dakota for 3 years after graduating from SDSU.

Deb is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), Wheelchair Sports USA, College Athletic Trainers Society, National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER).She is co-author of the college textbook Athletic Protective Equipment Care, Selection and Fitting and has published articles on eating disorders and athletic training topics. In 2002 & 2003, she was a finalist for the National Athletic Trainers Association Gail Weldon Woman Athletic Trainer Award . She is presently a member of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.

In addition, Barsema is a Clinical Faculty member for the Clarke University Athletic Training Education Program and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) as well as the Mid-America Athletic Trainers' Association (MAATA) and the Iowa Athletic Trainers Society.

The Pittsville, WI native currently resides in Dubuque, IA with husband Mike Barsema (Full-time Flight Instructor at the University of Dubuque) son Chase (2), and is expecting another in January 2012.