RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Tuesday the hiring of Valeria Gonzalez as an assistant athletic trainer.
 
Gonzalez will oversee the football and swimming & diving programs for UTRGV. Prior to joining UTRGV, Gonzalez spent two years as a Masters Athletics Training Student at Texas State where she worked with the football, baseball, and women's soccer programs.
 
Gonzalez provided a wide range of services which included, tracking athlete's progress, injuries, and recovery plans, assisting with rehabilitation, providing ankle taping and wound care, developing her own rehabilitation plan, and mentoring students.
 
"We are very excited that Val is joining our staff," associate athletic director for sports medicine Steven Kraus said. "She impressed us through the interview process with her passion for the profession of athletic training is evident and will be displayed to her student athletes, coaches, and coworkers. She will do a great job assisting with the medical care for our football program and being the primary athletic trainer for our swimming and diving program."
 
While at Texas State, Gonzalez spent the fall of 2024 working with Seguin High School where she provided athletic training support to the football, volleyball, cross-country, and basketball teams, created treatment and rehabilitation plans for injured athletes, and performed on- and off-field evaluations.
 
"The Rio Grande Valley is home, and I'm very excited to come back and be a part of Vaqueros Nation," Gonzalez said. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as an assistant athletic trainer for football and swimming & diving at UTRGV. This role allows me to continue learning and growing while applying everything I've gained from my different experiences throughout my journey. I would like to sincerely thank my family, preceptors, and close friends for their unwavering support and encouragement along the way. I'm also deeply thankful to UTRGV Sports Medicine for this incredible opportunity."
 
Gonzalez earned a Master of Science in athletic training from Texas State in May and a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with a minor in psychology and sports management from Texas A&M in December 2020. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Southwest Athletic Trainers Association, and Texas State Athletic Trainers Association.

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