“We know our athletes are
taken care of,” says men’s head
coach Steve Payne, who also
pointed out the efforts of assistant
athletic trainer Dan Redmond,
who works closely with
the Golden Eagle men’s program.
“I don’t have to worry
about their health. I get updates
daily from (the athletic training
staff). And our athletes are very
well cared for when they have
injuries, and the staff helps with
the prevention of injuries.”
Tech women’s head coach
Kim Rosamond sees the athletic
training program, as well as
the strength and conditioning
program, as extensions of her
coaching staff.
“Anybody that knows sports
and understands sports knows
how important assistant coaches
are and head coaches,” she
explains. “And to me, there are
two other areas that I consider
almost like assistant coaches
on our staff. That’s our strength
and conditioning coach, and
our trainer. Those two, in my
opinion, go hand in hand. They
are so important in our day-today
activities, and both of those
areas are important to the success
of our team.”
Rosamond – who recently
completed her second year leading
the Golden Eagle women
– said she’s come to appreciate
more than just the medical expertise
of Erdeljac.
“I think Joe is an awesome
human being,” she said. “It’s really
been fun for me to get to
know him. You spend so much
time on the road, and before
and after practice, so I have a
greater appreciation now for
Joe having gotten to know him
as a person, and knowing how
much he loves Tennessee
Tech and
these student-athletes.
He’s going
above and beyond
for us. He’s really
doing double-duty
with us right now,
and it’s because
he cares so much
about the student
athlete. And
his expertise is second
to none.”
Payne – in his
seventh year leading
the Tech men –
is thankful for the
familiarity Erdeljac
and his staff have
with his team.
“They know our coaching
staff, and they know our players,”
Payne says. “Our players
are around them as much as our
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