LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Hunter Martin has announced the promotions of three of his athletic trainers – Josh Paul to Senior Associate Athletic Trainer, and Jess Ringo and Matt Choice to Associate Athletic Trainer.
"Josh, Jess and Matt have been the backbone of this department for multiple years now," said Martin. "The COVID year was challenging for all of us but without those three here helping us guide our student-athletes, things would have been harder without them.
"The attitude and demeanor they bring to work every day, on top of them being excellent athletic trainers, is top tier. All three of them are very deserving of these title promotions and I'm looking forward to having them expand on their roles within the department for the betterment of our student-athletes."
Josh Paul - Senior Associate Athletic Trainer
Paul was hired in 2019 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for McNeese baseball. In addition to taking care of the baseball team, Paul oversees the Sports Medicine department policies and procedures manual, Athletic Training facility maintenance, assists with budget and also assists with other duties as assigned by the Director of Sports Medicine.
Martin on Paul: "Josh has been a critical piece to our department since arriving here. When I was promoted to director back in 2021, Josh has helped me run the department as my right hand. He has a great knack for understanding the needs of others and also the qualities that is required to take charge when needed."
Jess Ringo - Associate Athletic Trainer
Ringo was hired in the summer 2019 as Assistant Athletic working with our McNeese track and field teams. Ringo has been a Swiss Army knife during her time here as she has covered track and field, women's basketball and now tasked with the coverage of our indoor and beach volleyball teams, with those two being her main oversight. She also serves as the Athletics Insurance Coordinator, helping guide student-athletes and staff through medical claim forms and secondary insurance policies.
Martin on Ringo: "Jess has been the most organized athletic trainer that I have ever worked with. Her attention to detail is second to none when it comes to the care of our student-athletes. She has done so much for our department over the last five years. We cannot thank her enough!"
Matt Choice - Associate Athletic Trainer
Choice was hired in the summer of 2019 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the men's basketball program. Choice brought with him great athletic training clinical skills to the Sports Medicine Department while coming from working at the Baton Rouge Bone and Joint Clinic as a certified athletic trainer. Since arriving, Choice has served as the Sports Medicine Drug Testing Coordinator and the team physician coordinator for on-campus visits/evaluations for the student-athletes.
Martin on Choice: "Back in 2019, Matt was the last piece to the puzzle for our department as we filled out our staff. He has been such an influential part of helping turn our department to enhance our care of the athletes. Matt has been enhancing the different ways we approach recovery during in-season activity with his prehab and use of cutting-edge modalities."
