— KCAC SPORTS RELEASE —
WICHITA, Kan. (KCACSports.com) — Andrew Drake of Sterling College and Jose Chavarria of Bethany College were named the 2023-24 KCAC Head Athletic Trainer of the Year and Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year, respectively, the conference office announced Wednesday. This is the second time in the ten-year history of the KCAC Head Athletic Trainer of the Year award that a trainer from Sterling has earned the honor (Pete Manely, 2015-16), and this is the first time a Bethany athletic training staff member has earned the honor in the three-year history of the Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year award.
For the Head Athletic Trainer of the Year award, the KCAC recognizes one individual for exceptional performance as a head athletic trainer (or equivalent title on their campus). Award recipients are actively involved in their community or campus, within the conference, athletic training associations, and promotion of the profession.
For the Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year award, the KCAC recognizes one individual each year for exceptional performance as a member of an athletic training staff. Award recipients are actively involved in their community or campus, within the conference, athletic training associations, and promotion of the profession.
“The KCAC exemplifies outstanding Athletic Training within small college athletics,” Drake stated. “I hold deep respect for my colleagues at the member institutions. Being nominated and selected by them as Athletic Trainer of the Year makes this award even more special. My goal is to always provide the best possible healthcare to Warrior student-athletes. Achieving this goal relies heavily on the support of our administration, coaches, graduate athletic training students and, of course, my exceptional staff. Thank you all for your commitment to keeping our athletes healthy.”
Drake has been at Sterling College, his alma mater (2012), as the head athletic trainer since 2020. He leads a staff that coordinates medical care for 23 sports and over 400 student-athletes. He himself leads the care for both football, baseball, and cheer.
To help develop the athletic training department at Sterling, Andrew has secured outside providers to coordinate and educate the Sterling staff on how to provide best practices for their student-athletes. He also developed a partnership with Advanced PT in Hutchinson, which now consists of a physical therapist being on campus twice a week.
He also has taught courses in the health science department, has assisted Sterling’s strength and conditioning coach in developing offseason football workouts, and co-created a sports medicine podcast, “Tale of the Tape,” alongside Pete Manely.
“Andrew Drake’s tremendous dedication to the care of our student-athletes and his growth as a leader amongst our athletic team here at Sterling are well-deserved,” Justin Morris, Athletic Director at Sterling College, remarked. “We are excited for him to be recognized as the KCAC Athletic Trainer of the Year.
“First off, I would like to thank the team that I have around me as it takes a village to prosper,” said Chavarria. “Also, a huge thank you to anyone who has helped me along the way.”
Chavarria has been a part of the Bethany athletic training staff since 2020, and in that time has covered athletic training for baseball, basketball, cheer and dance, soccer, wrestling, and football, taking the lead on football team coverage for home and away events. He has also served as a translator for Spanish-speaking athletes, was selected to be on a hiring committee for an incoming coach, and was part of the COVID-19 reporting team at Bethany during the pandemic.
“Jose has been a great asset to have at Bethany College with his knowledge and care for the athletes,” Abraham Noll, head athletic trainer for Bethany College, said of Chavarria.
“We are excited for Jose and very proud of him for this honor!”, Laura Moreno, Dean of Athletics at Bethany College, remarked. “It is well deserved and a testament not just to the Athletic Trainer Jose is, but also the person he is. His positive attitude, work ethic, calm demeanor, and compassion is an immeasurable benefit for our student-athletes and staff; we are so thankful to have Jose on our team!”
Previous KCAC Head Athletic Trainer of the Year Winners
2022-23: Chris Ibash, Bethel College
2021-22: Lock Schnelle, Southwestern College
2020-21: Dan O’Connell, Kansas Wesleyan University
2019-20: Katie Pierce, University of Saint Mary
2018-19: Lock Schnelle, Southwestern College
2017-18: Raeann Bromert, University of Saint Mary
2016-17: Jennifer Raybern, Ottawa University
2015-16: Pete Manely, Sterling College
2014-15: Robin Johnson, Friends University
Previous KCAC Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year Winners
2022-23: Olyvia Bish, Southwestern College
2021-22: Kim Mikulan, University of Saint Mary
