June 28, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
When looking for someone to fill the vacancy on the Illinois State athletic training staff, head trainer John Munn was searching for a candidate that was not only skilled, but for a candidate who could relate to the student-athletes at ISU. He believes he has found that person in Karri Miller, ATC, who has joined the staff after a two-year stint at Utah State.
Miller served as a graduate assistant trainer at Utah State from 2004-06, where she earned her master's degree in exercise science. A National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) certified trainer, Miller served as the head athletics trainer for women's gymnastics at Utah State and was an assistant trainer for the Aggies' football program.
After graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in kinesiology from Long Beach State in 2003, the Vista, Calif., native served as an assistant women's rowing coach at her alma mater from 2003-04. In 2004, she also worked as an assistant athletic trainer with the 49ers, primarily with the softball program. Miller is excited to be a part of the Illinois State staff and is looking forward to adding to the tradition of successful women on the staff.
"One of the deciding factors of coming here was getting to follow in the footsteps of a Hall of Famer like Kathy Schniedwind," said Miller. "Her strong female leadership has opened a lot of doors for women in this field and her work at Illinois State puts me in a wonderful position to succeed. I hope I can bring my experience as a trainer and a student-athlete to the table and help our athletes perform to the best of their abilities."
Miller went on to say that she looks forward to adding to the young and talented athletic training staff already in place at ISU.
"I couldn't ask to work for a better boss than John," said Miller. "He and the rest of the staff have made me feel very comfortable, and everyone in the entire athletics department has been very accommodating and helpful. With the young staff that is in place and with the new year coming up, I am just looking forward to getting started, and getting to help the student-athletes once the season starts."
As a four year-member of the Long Beach State women's rowing team, Miller was named team captain and was tabbed as the squad's most valuable oarswoman in 2003. She knows what kind of physical and mental troubles student-athletes have to deal with during the school year and that is what impressed Munn when talking to Miller.
"Being a former Division I athlete herself, Karri will be able to relate to the student-athletes and work with them well," said Munn. "She has worked in some high profile programs and has worked with several sports, so she is very diverse in her talents and abilities. All of the people I talked to about Karri had nothing but great things to say about her and her talents, which makes us very excited to work with her."
