LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland University's Athletic Training Staff has once again been recognized for its outstanding service, earning the 2024-25 Mid-South Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year, conference officials announced today.

This marks the fourth time Cumberland has received this honor, with previous awards coming in 2016-17, 2020-21, and 2022-23.

Together, the athletic training staff provides daily coverage over all 31 athletic teams in 2024-25. They care for over 750 student-athletes, ensuring health and safety during home and away competitions, practices, rehabilitation sessions, facilitating drug testing, and managing administrative duties within their assigned programs.

"This year our Athletics Department theme was GRIT (Growth, Resilience, Integrity, Tenacity) and our AT Staff definitely displayed that throughout the year," said Dr. Katie Arnold, Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Training. "They went above and beyond to maintain the quality of care not only for CU, but for visiting teams as well. I'm thankful for each of them and am so glad they are a part of our team. I appreciate the MSC for recognizing our staff, because all the AT Staffs within the conference do a great job and warrant this award."

The award-winning staff includes Dr. Katie Arnold, Dr. Whitney Graves, Dr. Heidi Peters, Tyler Bennett, Alex Page, Christian Kiesel, Abbi Field, Alyssa Hawkins, Brice Elkins, and Lexi Deguzman.

In addition to their work on campus, several members of the staff were selected to serve in leadership roles at the conference level. Alex Page served as the lead athletic trainer for the 2025 Mid-South Conference Baseball Championship in Bowling Green. Brice Elkins was the lead athletic trainer for both the Mid-South Conference Softball Championship in Clarksville and the Cheerleading Championship in Bowling Green.

Head Athletic Trainer Tyler Bennett added, "We're honored to accept this award as all our fellow ATs within the MSC are all deserving of it. This recognition means a lot and reflects the dedication of our entire team."

"I am so proud of our Athletic Training Staff," said Vice President for Athletics Ron Pavan. "Dr. Katie Arnold, Tyler Bennett, Alex Page with the entire staff have been instrumental in improving the overall care of our student-athletes. I appreciate the long hours they provide for our athletic department."

The Mid-South Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year award is voted on by the conference's Medical Aspects Committee, which is composed of head athletic trainers from each full-member institution.