The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) announced Concordia head athletic trainer Peter Benjamin as the 2021 WHAC Athletic Trainer of the Year. Benjamin is the sixth recipient of the award - and first from Concordia - that was started in 2015 and voted upon by ATCs in the conference.
The National Association of Athletic Trainers states that "athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations." If anyone exemplifies that definition, it's Benjamin.
In everything he does, Benjamin always keeps the safety, health, and mental well-being of student athletes at the forefront. On Concordia's campus, he spearheaded CUAA's COVID mitigation efforts that allowed all 25 athletic programs to compete in a hybrid or spring-shifted season, including postseason play. His expertise was used throughout the entire Concordia campus as the point person as the university navigated the virus and the guidelines, rules, contact tracing, testing, and quarantining. As the chair of the WHAC ATCs, Benjamin led the COVID response and policies used by the conference.
His rapport with university leaders, stakeholders, and student-athletes is unmatched: he is approachable, professional and solution-oriented. A testament to his value, Benjamin was one of four staff nominated by students, coaches, faculty, and staff for the Cardinals' Staff of the Year award at the annual CARDY's (CUAA's version of the ESPYs). With more than 800 ballots cast, Benjamin won by a landslide.
Benjamin continues to strive for excellence and creates many learning opportunities for the athletic training staff. He also values a work-life balance which was needed this year when three staff members all used maternity/paternity leave, including him.
"Peter has done a tremendous job this past year both for our athletic department and our entire university," noted Concordia Athletics Director Lonnie Pries. "His ability to problem solve and manage time, along with his leadership skills were evident as he helped us navigate through this challenging year."
"I'm very thankful for the winning this award," said Benjamin. "There were several WHAC athletic trainers that were nominated and well deserving of this award and it could've easily gone to one of them as well. I'm very appreciative to Lonnie Pries and all the administration at CUAA for giving me the ability to do what I love at Concordia."
