WINTHROP, Mass. – Under the leadership of Director of Sports Medicine Rick Rowsell, the Rivier Sports Medicine Team earned Co-Athletic Training Staff of the Year honors in the 2024-25 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Administrative Awards, the conference office announced Monday morning.

"Congratulations to Rick, Beckie, Rachel, and Caitlin for being recognized for their extraordinary efforts, including providing first-class care for our student-athletes," said Jonathan Harper, Rivier's Director of Athletics. "The attention to detail and passion that goes into each day is paramount to providing a superior student-athlete experience, both during competition and in the sports medicine facilities."

The awards are presented annually to league administrators who, by peer vote, excelled in their roles during the academic year.

The staff, which consists of Rowsell, Beckie Brannen, Rachel Blazich, and Caitlin Victor provides medical services to the intercollegiate student-athletes at Rivier including prevention, management, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries both in the sports medicine clinics and on the sidelines of athletic contests.

This marks the first GNAC Administrative Award in Rivier history. The staff shares this honor with Dean's athletic training professionals.