The Orlando Magic Athletic Trainer plays a crucial role in the overall health and performance of the basketball team. This position requires a unique combination of knowledge in sports medicine, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. The trainer works closely with the players, coaching staff, and medical professionals to ensure that the players are in optimal physical condition. One of the primary responsibilities of the athletic trainer is to prevent injuries. They create customized training programs, focusing on strengthening specific muscle groups and improving flexibility. By tailoring these programs to the individual needs of the players, the trainer helps reduce the risk of injuries during games and practices.
Magic Add to Basketball Operations Department
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic have named Ernest Eugene head athletic trainer, Luke Storey head strength and conditioning coach, Sameer Mehta physical therapist and Nathan Spencer performance and rehabilitation coach, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.
In addition, Christian Espinoza, who served as an intern last season, has been promoted to full-time as assistant athletic trainer. Chad Gerhard (applied sports scientist) and Aki Tajima (athletic trainer/manual therapist) will remain on the staff.
Eugene joins Orlando after spending four seasons (2014-18) as assistant athletics director for sports medicine at Virginia Tech. He came to Virginia Tech following six seasons (2008-14) as the athletics trainer for the men’s basketball program at Marquette University, where he was promoted to director of sports medicine during his final year.
Prior to his time at Marquette, Eugene spent five seasons (2003-08) as the assistant athletic trainer with the Washington Wizards, where his duties included prevention/rehabilitation of injuries, travel administration and injury tracking. Before his tenure with the Wizards, he served as a seasonal intern athletics trainer with the NFL’s Washington Redskins in 2003.
A native of Washington, D.C., Eugene earned his master’s degree in allied health management from The Ohio State University, where he also served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer (2001-03). He is certified as an athletic trainer (ATC), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) and in Graston Techniques. Eugene is also an active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association and National Academy of Sports Medicine. In addition, he serves as a board member with the Council on Revenue (COR) of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Eugene was also one of 32 collegiate athletic trainers appointed to the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine in June of 2017.
Eugene graduated from George Washington University in 2000, earning a bachelor of science in exercise science, with a concentration in athletics training. He also received a doctorate degree (Ed.D.) from East Tennessee State University in May 2018.
Eugene and his wife, Jackie, have two sons, Jaden and Mason, and one daughter, Harper.
Storey comes to Orlando after spending more than five years (2013-18) at Peak Performance Project (P3), a sports performance facility that utilizes advanced sports science technologies to assess and train professional athletes.
Storey began at P3 as a senior performance specialist and was later promoted to director of performance, where he was responsible for leading and supporting the performance team, while also ensuring that all aspects of professional growth were being met.
Before joining the staff at P3, Storey, originally from London, England, was a strength and conditioning coach in professional cricket, rugby and within the English Institute of Sport. He attended the University of Chichester in West Sussex, England, earning a bachelor’s degree in sport and exercise science, as well as a master’s degree in sport and exercise physiology.
Storey and his wife, Calais, have a son, Finley.
Mehta comes to Orlando after spending 12 years at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He joined MedStar in March 2006 as a physical therapist, then spent the last six years as clinical supervisor/outpatient physical therapy.
Prior to his time at MedStar, Mehta was a student physical therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, as well as Athletic Conditioning Injury Center in Irvine, Calif. He also served as an intern strength and conditioning coach at Boston College in 2002-03.
Mehta is a board certified sports clinical specialist (SCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association and a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS).
Mehta attended Boston University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a bachelor’s degree in health studies. He also earned his master’s degree in physical therapy, as well as a doctorate in physical therapy from Boston University.
Spencer joins Orlando after spending three seasons (2015-18) as head strength and conditioning coach with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia. Prior to his time with Illawarra, he was a strength and conditioning coach in professional rugby.
An Australian native, Spencer received his bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of New South Wales in Australia and a master’s degree in high performance sport from Australian Catholic University.
Orlando Magic Promote Nathan Spencer to Head Strength and Conditioning Coach; Name Lindsey Elizondo, Andy Burke and Chase Campbell to High Performance Staff
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic promote Nathan Spencer to head strength and conditioning coach and name three to its high performance staff – Lindsey Elizondo as physical therapist/athletic trainer; Andy Burke as performance therapist and Chase Campbell as strength and conditioning coach, as announced by Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman.
Spencer is entering his third season with the Magic and will oversee the strength and athletic development of all Magic players. Spencer joined the Magic in 2018 as performance and rehabilitation coach. Prior to joining the Magic, Spencer spent three seasons (2015-18) as head strength and conditioning coach with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia. Prior to his time with Illawarra, he was a strength and conditioning coach in professional rugby. An Australian native, Spencer received his bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from the University of New South Wales in Australia and a master's degree in high performance sport from Australian Catholic University.
Elizondo is credentialled as a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and licensed massage therapist. She has currently been working, traveling, and treating athletes in professional tennis, on both the WTA and ATP tours. She has also worked as an athletic trainer with the L.A. Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. Elizondo will be assisting players with daily maintenance treatments and involved in the rehab of injured athletes.
Burke comes to the Magic from the United Kingdom, where he is trained as an osteopath and licensed massage therapist. He brings more than 15 years of professional sports experience to the team. With a diverse sports background, he most recently was traveling internationally and working out of the Jacksonville area with Olympic-level track and field athletes, preparing them for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Burke will be assisting with day-to-day player treatments and the rehab of team injuries.
Campbell comes to the Magic from the University of Rhode Island (URI), where he was the director of men’s basketball performance for the last two years. He directed all aspects of player performance and testing at URI. He has previously worked and implemented strength programs for the Indiana Fever, participated in an internship with the Indiana Pacers, and was a strength and conditioning coach at both Butler and Miami University.
Orlando magic athletic trainer
AdventHealth is proud to be the Official Healthcare Provider of the Orlando Magic. We not only care for the athletes and their families, but also the Orlando Magic employees, fans and the community as a whole. As partners for more than a quarter of a century, AdventHealth and the Orlando Magic share in the vision of building a healthier, more active and engaged community all across Central Florida.
By tailoring these programs to the individual needs of the players, the trainer helps reduce the risk of injuries during games and practices. In the event of an injury, the athletic trainer is the first responder. They assess the extent of the injury, provide immediate care, and determine if further medical attention is necessary.
Lakeland Magic
AdventHealth is proud to be the Official Medical Provider of the NBA G-League team, the Lakeland Magic. We have physicians, athletic trainers, and other medical team members who work with the athletes and staff to provide the highest level of care for any of their needs.
Their knowledge of sports medicine allows them to make accurate diagnoses and create appropriate treatment plans. Rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of the athletic trainer's role. They devise rehabilitation programs for injured players, guiding them through various exercises and therapies to regain strength and mobility. They monitor the progress of each player, making adjustments to the program as needed to ensure a safe and effective recovery. In addition to working directly with the players, the athletic trainer also collaborates with the team's coaching staff. They provide insights and recommendations regarding player readiness, injury prevention strategies, and any necessary modifications to training plans. The Orlando Magic Athletic Trainer also advocates for the overall health and wellness of the players. They educate the team on nutrition, sleep, and other lifestyle factors that can impact their performance. By promoting a holistic approach to health, the trainer helps the players maintain their physical and mental well-being throughout the season. In conclusion, the role of the Orlando Magic Athletic Trainer is integral to the success of the basketball team. They work tirelessly to prevent injuries, provide immediate care, and facilitate the rehabilitation process. Their expertise in sports medicine and dedication to the players' well-being ensure that they are physically prepared to give their best performance on the court..
Reviews for "The Orlando Magic Athletic Trainer's Role in Preventing Season-Ending Injuries"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was highly disappointed with the Orlando Magic athletic trainer. I suffered a minor sprain during a game and was taken to the trainer for treatment. Not only did they seem uninterested and unenthusiastic about helping me, but their lack of knowledge was evident. They simply wrapped my ankle and sent me on my way without any proper advice or information on how to properly rehabilitate the injury. I expected much better from a professional athletic trainer and would not recommend their services.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - My experience with the Orlando Magic athletic trainer was absolutely terrible. I had been having chronic knee pain and was hoping to get some guidance and treatment from the trainer. However, they brushed off my concerns, barely took the time to listen to me, and provided no real solutions or advice. It felt like they were just going through the motions without any genuine care for my well-being. I left feeling frustrated and more confused than ever. I would not trust this trainer with any future injuries or concerns.
3. David Thompson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Orlando Magic athletic trainer, given their reputation in professional sports. However, my experience was far from satisfactory. I visited the trainer with a nagging shoulder injury, hoping for some expert advice and treatment. Unfortunately, I was met with a lackluster approach and a general disinterest in addressing my concerns. The trainer seemed more focused on rushing through the appointment than actually understanding and treating my injury. I left feeling frustrated and let down by their utter lack of professionalism.
4. Sarah Johnson - 1 star - My interaction with the Orlando Magic athletic trainer left me extremely dissatisfied. Not only did they lack the basic knowledge needed to properly diagnose my injury, but their indifference towards my pain was alarming. Instead of providing immediate attention and care, they simply brushed off my concerns and handed me a general self-treatment guide. I expected personalized care and expertise from a professional athletic trainer, but I received none. This experience has made me question their competency and commitment to their role.