After an exhaustive, national search, the College of Staten Island has named Joseph Abruzzo as its new Head Athletic Trainer, it was announced today. Abruzzo will start immediately. He becomes only the third head athletic trainer in program history.
 
As head athletic trainer, Abruzzo will oversee all facets of the athletic training program at the college, including prevention, treatment, assessment, and rehabilitation of student-athlete injuries and conditioning programs. Alongside keeping detailed and timely records of all CSI student-athletes, Abruzzo will also monitor and coordinate CPR training for head coaches, as required by the NCAA.
 
"One of the most critical jobs in any college athletics department is providing care for the student-athletes," said CSI Interim Director of Athletics Charles Gomes. "Thanks to the outstanding job done by our search committee, I believe we have found the perfect candidate. Joe's combination of professionalism, experience, and passion will be a welcome addition to our team. All of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff members are excited to have him on board."
 
An accomplished professional for almost a decade, Abruzzo has held the Head Athletic Trainer position at neighboring Wagner College since 2008.  While at Wagner, Abruzzo was instrumental in integrating concussion, Sickle Cell and drug testing programs, along with monitoring insurance claims and working with team physicians.  Abruzzo served as the assistant athletic trainer at the NCAA Division I campus, focusing on Men's Basketball and Men's Lacrosse from 2005-07.  In 2007-08, Abruzzo served as a certified athletic trainer with One-on-One Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, NY.
 
"I really am excited to get started," noted Abruzzo.  "CSI provides a great opportunity for me and I think it is going to be a very positive experience to work with everyone involved with the program."
 
Abruzzo is eager to work with the CSI student-athlete body, spanning 13 varsity sports plus coeductational cheerleading.  
 
"We have a very competitive athletic program at the College, with great facilities and a well-rounded group of student-athletes," he said.  "I'm looking forward to meeting and working with many of them, as well as making myself familiar with the rest of my new CUNY conference colleagues."
 
A member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Abruzzo is certified in CPR/AED Pro and first aid and is an approved clinical instructor for Long Island University and Seton Hall University.  A hockey enthusiast, Abruzzo was a guest athletic trainer at the New York Rangers training camp, where he worked with the organization's NHL and AHL rosters, and is the Head Athletic Trainer for the Metro Moose Junior Hockey Club of Staten Island, where he provides medical coverage for the Junior B-Level ice hockey program.
 
A Brooklyn native, Abruzzo currently lives in the Bulls Head section of Staten Island with his wife, Christina, and 21-month old daughter, Olivia.