MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Head Athletic Trainer Shannon Hamilton has been named the River States Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year as announced today (June 27) by the league office. Hamilton, who just completed her fifth season as a Pomeroy, earns the AT of the Year Award for the first time, and is the first SMWC trainer to win the award.

"Shannon Hamilton and the entire SMWC athletic training staff are outstanding ambassadors for and key contributors to Pomeroy athletics," SMWC Associate Vice President for Athletics Kevin Lanke said. "Shannon leads a team that creatively uses hallways, the main competition gymnasium, and other areas of the Knoerle Center for treatment and rehabilitation.  Their creativity allows our student-athletes to have individual care that is critical in maintaining overall physical and mental health.  I cannot be more pleased for Shannon to receive this well-deserved award."

The RSC Athletic Trainer of the Year award annually recognizes outstanding dedication, service and care in the athletic training field for RSC member institutions and the conference as a whole. It was established in 2016-17. The trainer recognized as RSC Athletic Trainer of the Year is forwarded to the national office for consideration for NAIA Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Prior to SMWC, Shannon obtained her Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Indiana State University in 2015. Subsequently, she accepted a Graduate Assistant position at Vereen Rehabilitation Center in Moultrie, Georgia. During this time, she completed a Master's degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education while working in the secondary school setting. Upon graduation from the University of Northern Georgia in 2017; Shannon returned to Indiana State University to obtain her Doctorate of Athletic Training where she served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with the Indiana State University football team. During this time, she also completed research on "Athletic Trainers' Social Media Use," and later received publication for this research. 

Hamilton has been employed through Union Hospital Sports Medicine since May 2019 and has served as the head athletic trainer for SMWC since then. She enjoys working with all of the athletics programs and helping to facilitate the growth of the Athletics Department, including the Sports Medicine staff. She particularly likes to introduce the student-athletes to different complementary integrative care techniques like yoga.  

Hamilton serves as an Affiliate Faculty member for the Indiana State DAT Program and a preceptor for the Indiana State Master's of Athletic Training Program.