May 20, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford athletics department has promoted Michelle Johnson to the position of head athletic trainer, Director of Athletics Bob Roller announced Wednesday.

"Michelle has earned the respect of our student-athletes and coaching staff during her time as associate head athletic trainer," Roller said. "She possesses excellent skills in the training room and has taken a leadership role in the insurance and compliance area that is so critical to the welfare of our student-athletes."

Johnson replaces Wayne Kendrick, who is retiring after serving the last 10 years as Samford's head athletic trainer.

"Wayne Kendrick is as good a person and head athletic trainer as you would ever hope to know, and we're proud that Michelle will be able to take the reins from him upon his retirement," Roller said.

Johnson has worked on the Samford athletic training staff for the past four years. In the summer of 2008, she was named associate head athletic trainer after serving as an assistant athletic trainer for the previous three years.

In 2006, Johnson was named the Alabama College and University Athletic Trainer of the Year at the annual Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association meetings held in Sandestin, Fla.

"I'm very excited to receive the position of head athletic trainer at Samford," Johnson said. "I want to thank Bob Roller for this opportunity and for having faith in me to do well in this position. Also, I am very grateful for the mentor that Wayne has been to me over the past four years, molding me and preparing me for a position like this."

Before coming to Samford, Johnson worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from August 2003 to May 2005. At UAB, she worked with the women's soccer and synchronized swimming teams.

Johnson, a native of Columbus, Ohio, graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor's of science degree in athletic training with an emphasis in exercise physiology in June 2003. She then earned her master's degree in health education from UAB in May 2005.

Johnson is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and serves on the Ethics Committee to represent the Southeast Region.