(Livonia, MI) - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) announced the PerryWeather Athletic Trainer of the Year and Concordia Cardinals Head Athletic Trainer, Kasey Ficken earned the honor for the first time in her career. Ficken is the second Cardinal Athletic Trainer to earn the honor, as Peter Benjamin earned the honor in the 2020-21 season. His nomination is now forwarded to the NAIA for National AT of the Year consideration.
"In a year marked by uncertainty and transition, Kasey Ficken was the consistency our department needed," said CUAA Head Women's Basketball Coach Elyse Schlump. "Her dedication as an athletic trainer went far beyond the fields and the court. She played an integral role in supporting our student athletes, and maintaining the spirit of our athletic department. Her legacy has been left at Concordia!"
Ficken just completed her 10th year at Concordia and her first as the Head Athletic Trainer. Ficken has gone above and beyond for the Cardinals 28 varsity sports and the over 500+ student-athletes in the final year of athletics. While it was a challenging season and one filled with transitions and uncertainty, Kasey excelled and was an integral component of Cardinal athletics.
"It was an honor to represent Concordia in its final year of athletics! I am forever grateful to CUAA, the staff and student-athletes who over the past 10 years have helped mold and shape me into the athletic trainer I am today," said Ficken.
Kasey has also taken time to teach students in multiple courses at the University while teaching and supervising interns in each semester at CUAA.
CUAA Athletic Director Lonnie Pries had this to say about Ficken's work. "Kasey has been at Concordia for over 10 years and has consistently and diligently cared for our student athletes. She has a servant heart and displays this in her dedication to keeping our student athletes safe and being with them when recovering from injury. Her leadership was on full display as she took over as our head athletic trainer and helped navigate this final year of Concordia Athletics with a staff that was shorthanded."
All-Time Athletic Trainer of the Year
2015-16: Beth Hubbard, Madonna
2016-17: Kevin Parker, Aquinas
2017-18: Aron Downey, UNOH
2018-19: Marloes Blokdijk, Lawrence Tech
2019-20: Jennifer Pitson, UNOH
2020-21: Peter Benjamin, Concordia
2021-22: Robyn Roznoski, Lourdes
2022-23: Erica Anderson, UNOH
2023-24: Lorie Robinette, Siena Heights
2024-25: Kasey Ficken, Concordia
