Florida Tech Panthers Sports Medicine Director Announces Hiring of Two New Athletic Trainers

THE SPACE COAST DAILY – FRIDAY NIGHT LOCKER ROOM TEAM IS BREVARD'S #1 SPORTS SOURCE

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance Luis Velez has announced the hiring of Shawn Spenard and Grahm Pratt as Assistant Athletic Trainers.

“I am very excited for our Sports Medicine and Performance team to be operating with a full staff,” said Velez. “I believe we found the right fit in Shawn and Grahm as we work towards our initiatives in optimizing the scholar-athlete experience at Florida Tech”.

Spenard comes to Florida Tech after serving as a graduate assistant at Plymouth State University since the fall of 2021.

“I am excited to begin the next chapter of my career at Florida Tech!” said Spenard. “I am looking forward to working with these high-level teams and coaching staffs.”

While at Plymouth State, he served as the primary contact for the Panther’s men’s basketball, men’s soccer, and women’s field hockey programs. He assisted in rehabilitating scholar-athletes throughout several of Plymouth State’s 25 athletic teams and served as the President of the Athletic Training Club at Plymouth State.

As an undergraduate at Colby-Sawyer College, Spenard independently provided evaluations, diagnoses, and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and created rehabilitation programs. He also completed clinical hours at Trinity High School and Kearsarge Regional High School.

Spenard is a Board of Certification Certified Athletic Trainer and holds certifications in Basic Life Support (CPR) through American Red Cross, a Burdenko Certification for water and land therapy and a Level 1 Blood Flow Restriction Certification.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Colby-Sawyer College in 2021 and completed his master’s in athletic training with a concentration in education in May 2023 from Plymouth State University.

Grahm Pratt comes to Florida Tech after working for Milwaukee Wave of the Major Arena Soccer League since October 2022.

“I’m very eager for the opportunity to start my career with Florida Tech,” said Pratt. “I look forward to working with the coaches, staff, and scholar-athletes and being a part of enhancing an already prolific athletics program. I’m thrilled to trade in cheese and cold for warm weather and gators!”

Prior to interning with the Wave, Pratt spent a season interning with the men’s and women’s Milwaukee Torrent teams of the National Premier Soccer League and Women’s Premier Soccer League throughout the 2022 season. With the Torrent, Pratt created and applied an emergency action plan for heat conditions while managing and performing Pre-Participation Exam for players.

As an undergraduate at Concordia University of Wisconsin, Pratt was involved in the day-to-day athletic training operations with the men’s soccer, women’s soccer, baseball, men’s hockey, and lacrosse programs.

He also spent time with Whitefish Bay High School athletics providing coverage and safety for a variety of Whitefish’s athletic teams and served as a first responder for football, soccer, and basketball competitions.

A former NCAA DIII athlete, Pratt was a member of the CUW Falcon’s Men’s Soccer program from 2018-2020.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine in 2021 and Master of Science in Athletic Training in May 2023.

Pratt holds certifications in Basic Life Support (CPR) through American Red Cross and a certificate for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automatic External Defibrillation Certification

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Similar Stories