WEST HAVEN, Conn. – University of New Haven Director of Athletics Chris Palmer has announced the addition of Margaret Johns as the department's Director of Sports Medicine. Johns comes to New Haven after spending the last two seasons working with the softball and men's and women's swimming and diving teams at Florida Atlantic University, a Division I member of Conference USA.

"I am excited to welcome Maggie to the Charger Family," said Palmer. "Sports medicine is one of the most important parts of our operation and having someone of Maggie's experience can only benefit our department. Her passion for providing first class health care will go a long way in keeping our student-athletes healthy and competing at the highest levels."

"Thank you to the University of New Haven Athletic Department for the opportunity to join your program," said Johns. "I am excited to lead and work alongside a group of talented and passionate clinicians with the common goal of organized, high-quality healthcare for our student-athletes. I plan to build strong relationships throughout the department and university and maintaining a great working environment."

In addition to working with the Conference USA regular season champion softball team, Johns instructed athletic training students in a partnership with Nova Southeastern University, while also working closely with the strength and conditioning staff to implement injury prevention protocols and mobility programs.

"Be where your feet are," continued John's. "This is a quote I live by, because I believe in being present in every moment, giving 100 percent to every task, small or big and controlling the controllable."

Prior to FAU, Johns spent three years as the head athletic trainer at St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown, Md. where she was the primary healthcare provider for 250 student-athletes across 10 sports. Additionally, she had oversight of all day-to-day sports medicine operations and taught a pair of strength and conditioning and team sport classes.

While an undergrad at Delaware, Johns worked with four programs; women's lacrosse, football, cross country and track and field as well as the Colonial Athletic Association champion field hockey team. She graduated from Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in athletic training in May 2014 and went on to earn her Master of Science in exercise science and health professions from Florida Atlantic in May 2019.