WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Following a national search, University of New Haven Interim Director of Athletics Jon Mays has named Tabatha Santiago as the Chargers Director of Sports Medicine. Santiago joins Charger Nation following a two-year stint as the Head Athletic Trainer at fellow Nutmeg State foe University of Bridgeport.

"I am excited to welcome Tabatha to Charger Nation," said Mays. "The health and well-being of our student-athletes is paramount to the success of our teams and the experience and knowledge Tabatha brings to West Haven will allow us to continue to provide the highest level of care for our Charger student-athletes.

At Bridgeport, Santiago was responsible for the care of all of the Purple Knights 16 Division II varsity sports, while overseeing insurance claims and managing the department's budget. She was also responsible for developing, maintaining and ensuring compliance with the department's CoVID-19 policies in conjunction with University health services.

Prior to Bridgeport, Santiago spent six years as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. where she assisted in providing evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of acute and chronic injuries for the Brewers 27 varsity sports and approximately 550 student-athletes. In addition, she provided administrative responsibilities associated with hosting the 2019 Division I & Division II USA Women's Rugby Championship, rounds of 16 and 8.

Santiago began her career in collegiate athletics while also pursuing a Master of Science degree in Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Central Florida, spending two seasons with the Knights. She completed her undergraduate work at Northeastern, earning a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in May 2013.