RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Monday the hiring of Brianna Tovar as associate athletic trainer.
 
Tovar is joining UTRGV after spending the past two seasons as a seasonal full-time certified athletic trainer with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. While with the Rays organization, Tovar developed and implemented preventive programs, provided emergency care for any injury during practice, and helped athletes rehabilitate after surgery or after suffering non-surgical injuries. Among other responsibilities, Tovar closely worked with athletes during surgical consults, rehabilitation appointments, and orthopedic appointments.
 
"I am very excited that Brianna is joining our staff as an associate athletic trainer," associate athletic director for sports medicine Steven Kraus said. "She is coming in with a couple years of experience working with elite athletes at LSU and with the Tampa Bay Rays organization that will bring a great skill set to our team and help continue to raise the bar in providing high quality medical care to our student athletes. She is also originally from Mercedes, TX so I think this will be a perfect fit for her coming home and still working with the best athletes we have here in the Rio Grande Valley."
 
Prior to her stint with the Rays, Tovar spent three years working as a student athletic trainer with Louisiana State University (LSU). While at LSU, Tovar worked with the football, basketball, track & field, and volleyball programs. Tovar would assess and treat student-athletes while under supervision, transport athletes to orthopedic appointments, and help rehabilitate the student-athletes. Tovar was also able to gain valuable experience working alongside the athletic training staff at the SEC Championship, Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and CFP National Championship.
 
"I am very excited to join the UTRGV family," Tovar said. "As a valley native, when the opportunity arose to come back home and work for a job that I love, it was a no brainer. I would like to thank Steven Kraus for the opportunity. I would also to thank all my previous preceptors who shaped me into the ATC I am today." 
 
Tovar earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from LSU in May 2022 and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Sports Management from Texas. She is a board-certified athletic trainer and received multiple certifications including, basic life support, first aid and CPR, AED, blood borne pathogens, and COVID contact tracing.

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