WEST HAVEN, Conn. - For the athletic training staff at the University of New Haven, the average day can start as early as sunrise and end well past sunset. In between these long hours, hundreds of student-athletes circulate through the athletic training facility to make sure they are ready to practice and perform at the best of their ability.
At New Haven we appreciate every coach, athlete, and administrative staff; but it's time we thank the handful of trainers that work all around the clock and dedicate their time, talent, and effort into our student-athletes. The National Athletic Training Association dedicates March to "spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers." Without the work from this group, our athletic program would not be what it is today.
Currently, we have five phenomenal trainers repping blue and gold: One amazing director, two dedicated assistants, and two hard-working and skillful graduate assistants. Collectively, these fantastic five help support over 500 student-athletes making up rosters for 16 varsity teams.
Maggie Johns
Maggie became a Charger in May of 2019 taking on the role as the department's Director of Sports Medicine. She graduated from the University of Delaware with her bachelor's degree in athletic training and went on to pursue her master's degree in exercise science and health professions at Florida Atlantic University. While at FAU she worked specifically with the softball team, as well as men's and women's swimming and diving.
Going on her three year anniversary at UNH, Maggie has made an impact on student-athletes since day one. Aside from overseeing all athletic training staff, she also serves as the primary trainer for the university's football program.
"Maggie is a great trainer for us here at the University of New Haven. She really cares about her athletes just like if we were her own. Maggie takes pride in her job and makes sure every athlete can recover and perform at their highest level. Without Maggie this place wouldn't be the same and we wouldn't want it any other way." - Sam Valerio
"The trainers at the university do a great job at making time for their athletes. Maggie, Phillip, and Emma will try to give you the proper treatment to the best of their ability. They work very long hours which people don't realize, but every time I go in for treatment they always have a smile on their face and always willing to help. Also, if you need to talk about something, the training room treats you like family. With the amount of athletes we have at the University of New Haven, and the lack of trainers, I give them the most respect because they have to run around all day and work above the normal work day hours. I love the trainers we have here." - Paul Cooper
"Since the first day Maggie came here, she showed me that she was a different trainer. Ever since I got hurt my sophomore year, my ankle injury, she's been taking care of me. She knows what she's doing. She's funny, she's a good person, has a great personality, but she also always tries to motivate me and keep my head on straight when I'm down. I really appreciate everything she does." - Shamar Logan
Emma Foss 
Emma started her career at New Haven as a graduate assistant in August 2019 after she graduated from the University of New England. Already holding a bachelor's degree in athletic training, Emma continued her education at New Haven working towards her master's degree in sports management. After graduating Emma joined the Charger Sports Medicine squad as a full-time assistant athletic trainer. She now works individually with the women's rugby, field hockey, women's basketball and baseball teams.
Alyssa Stevenson has been a part of the women's basketball program for the past three seasons. Emma has been on the bench at home and away games to make sure the team is always at the healthiest they can be. Stevenson, as well as many other student-athletes, have come to a point in their athletic career where they have endured an injury. Here is what Stevenson had to say about having her care in the hands of Emma:
"Emma has been my teams trainer for the last three years. I can honestly say that I do not know how I would have gotten through these seasons without her. From the first day I stepped on campus, Emma has gone above and beyond to keep me healthy and ready for basketball. She has helped me through injuries, and she has been supportive when I have been fighting mental health battles. Emma works with every athlete and caters to their individual needs so they can reach their potential in their sport. She cares so much for all of her athletes and will do anything for them. I am so thankful to have Emma as my athletic trainer." - Alyssa Stevenson
"Emma has been amazing all year for my teammates and I. Since she started working with us early in the fall there has never been a day where Emma has not been fully invested in making sure we can compete at our highest level. Personally, I have dealt with an injury for a long period of time and had yet to find any solutions that worked. Emma spent hours trying to find any type of treatment that could give me any sort of relief and within just a few days she was able to find a treatment that has helped me tremendously. This shows how dedicated Emma is to the athletes she works with. There is nobody else my teammates and I would rather have as our athletic trainer." - Thomas Eletto
Philip Jenny
Philip also planted his roots at the University of New Haven by starting off as a graduate assistant. He graduated from Mercyhurst University in May 2019 with a bachelor's degree in athletic training and a minor in exercise science. Prior to his start at New Haven he gained experience working with the Atlanta Blaze, a Major League Lacrosse organization, and also the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League.
After graduating with his master's in sports management in 2021, Philip stayed in New Haven and became a full time assistant. He has been a big part of the sports medicine department, acting as the primary trainer for women's volleyball and lacrosse, men's basketball, and football. His goofy personality and dedication to his job is the driving factor as to why all his athletes appreciate him.
"Philip is the most caring athletic trainer I've ever had. He is very passionate about his job and finds enjoyment in making sure all of his athletes are healthy and ready to play at their best ability. Speaking from personal experience, when I injured my ankle Philip made sure that I was back on the court in no time. He would always stay late after practice and come in early to make sure I received the proper treatment." - Sean Smith Jr.
"Philip is the type of trainer that just truly cares about his players, more than just helping them with treatment. He wants to see you do better at the sport, and he's always cheering you on - even during games. He puts so much time and effort into what he does and sometimes its overlooked, but in reality we all know as athletes that what he does isn't easy, and we are really grateful to have him here in New Haven." - Annie Acquavita
Max Spielman
Max came to the University of New Haven as a graduate assistant and has been working closely with the men's soccer, women's tennis, and track and field/cross country teams. He is a Connecticut native, and studied at Southern Connecticut for his undergrad years.
Kacie Banks and Lilia Rodriguez are two of the tennis athletes that have had the honor of working with Max:
"I appreciate Max because he is always willing to help at anytime and go the extra mile. I will always appreciate him for everything he has done not just for me, but for all the athletes as well." - Kacie Banks
"Max works hard everyday to make sure I am healthy to be able to play my sport. I feel privileged to have him as our trainer." - Lilia Rodriguez
Lauren Borsavage
Lauren is the newest addition to the sports medicine department. She studied athletic training at Southern Connecticut and then went on to pursue a master's degree in sport and exercise physiology at East Carolina University. Her studies at ECU were more research-based, but she wanted to return to the more hands-on involvement in athletics. Lauren is the newest graduate assistant and is working on obtaining her master's degree in healthcare administration and management, all while working with the women's soccer team. In her short time here so far, Lauren has already built relationships with many student-athletes across multiple sports.
"Lauren has been a fantastic help to me as an athlete. As athletes a lot of time we just want to rush back into the action and ignore our bodies' well-being, but she refused to accept that. She has been there with me and many others every step of the way making sure that we take care of our bodies and get the rest, rehab, and activity we needed. She helped me get back on the field with my team and be strong enough that I'm not afraid of re-injury. I'm incredibly grateful for her help this semester and I wouldn't be where I am today without her. " - Daniela Perez
A Big Thank You
Not only in March, but everyday, we would like to thank our athletic trainers for helping keep our hundreds of athletes at their healthiest. Preventing injury and re-injury allows our student-athletes to succeed on the field, and our athletics program would not be as successful without the hands of our sports medicine department. The hard work and extra long hours do not go unnoticed by the school itself, the entire athletics department, and for sure our student-athletes.
