ELMIRA, N.Y. – National Athletic Training Month is held every March to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers. The Elmira College Department of Athletics would like to highlight each of its members of the Sports Medicine staff for their countless hours of dedication and attention to the student-athletes at EC.
Rounding out the Sports Medicine staff is Head Athletic Trainer, Dave Tomkalski. In his 30 years with the Soaring Eagles, Tomkalski has coordinated the sports medicine services for the Elmira College athletics program. Additionally, Tomkalski is an instructor in Physical Education, teaching courses in sports medicine.
He is certified by the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association) and the state of New York, as well as being a certified instructor for the American Red Cross in First Aid and CPR. Before he arrived at Elmira College, Tomkalski served as the head athletics trainer at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, The American University in Washington, D.C., a sports medicine clinic in eastern Pennsylvania, and as an assistant athletics trainer at Grand Valley State College in Allendale, Michigan.
Tomkalski has worked as an intern trainer with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA, the head athletic trainer for the Washington Diplomats of the APSL (American Professional Soccer League), and as a staff trainer for the 1984 Olympic Wrestling Trials. Tomkalski is one of the founders and the first president of the District of Columbia Athletic Trainers Association.
He is an active member of the Elmira community, having presented at many clinics and symposiums, including lecturing volunteers of the Special Olympics on how to recognize and treat injuries.
Tomkalski earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and athletic training from the University of Toledo and a master's degree in Sports Medicine from Western Michigan University.
What the Staff is Saying:
Amber Myers - Cheerleading Head Coach
"Dave Tomkalski gives so much of his time and effort to EC Cheer. He is our team's favorite trainer and they beg him every year to come to nationals... we finally convinced him last year and he was our lucky charm, so now he cannot get rid of us. On a personal level, Dave and his wife Jeannie have become our Elmira family. They invite us over every Christmas Eve to spend the holidays with them as they know that we do not have immediate family in town. We are so thankful for Dave for everything he does for us. He is now an honorary member of ECC4L!"
Aaron Saul - Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach
"Trainer Dave cares for all of his athletes with compassion and his experience in the field makes him one of the best in his profession. Dave is beloved by his athletes and he creates a family environment in the training room."
Rhonda Faunce - Director of Athletics
"I feel very thankful that we have such a dedicated and experienced athletic training staff. They all work very long and hard for our student-athletes. It's great there is a specific venue for us to celebrate the work they do."
Randie Torgalski - Softball Head Coach
"Trainers are more than trainers. They're counselors. They're comedians. They're like a big brother or big sister at times, or in Dave's case - a grandpa-like figure at times!! It's more than just taping an ankle or wrapping ice. We're lucky for the crew we have here at EC."
Lauren Thomas & Janie Kempf '21 - Field Hockey
"Dave, Maria and Kelsey have helped our program in so many ways. Their passion for what they do is always evident and it is very good to know that as a Coach, our players are always in the best hands from a health and wellness perspective because of our trainers. They go above and beyond with any of our team's injury concerns and their commitment to taking care of our athletes is one of the many things I admire about their dedication to our program/department!
Erin Gehen - Associate Director of Athletics
"We are so grateful and fortunate to have Dave, Maria & Kelsey at Elmira College. They go above and beyond to improve the lives of our student athletes daily. Their work as trained medical professionals has bettered the EC Athletic Department as a whole and we are very appreciative for their consistent hard work."
Collin Hetherington - Director of Sports Information
"Elmira College Athletics is extremely lucky to have Dave on staff. His wisdom and knowledge about not only his field of work, but the institution as a whole has helped me tremendously over my first two years here."
Ryan McDonough & Savannah Terry - Head Coaches - Men's & Women's Volleyball
"The Athletic Trainers here at Elmira College have such a positive impact on our student athletes. Dave, Kelsey and Maria are always finding different ways to improve the overall health of our athletes on a daily basis. They are constantly helping our athletes rehabilitate from an injury and teaching them injury prevention techniques. I think what stands out the most about Dave, Kelsey and Maria is that they care. They care about every student athlete's well being and they care about Elmira College. When you have an athletics' training staff that genuinely cares about the student and their sport, it makes it an absolute pleasure to work with. I am beyond grateful for the athletic training crew we have taking care of our athletes at Elmira College."
