NASHUA, N.H. – Rivier University Director of Sports Medicine Rick Rowsell has announced the promotion of Beckie Brannen to Associate Director of Sports Medicine.

Brannen enters her sixth year with the Sports Medicine staff and her first in the expanded role in 2026-27.

"Beckie is an integral part of our Sports Medicine team and has been for several years now," said Rowsell. "She embodies the values we strive to achieve every day. She is hard-working, giving of herself, and her presence makes everyone around her feel comfortable. We are lucky to have her on our team!"

Most recently, Brannen was a member of the Rivier Sports Medicine staff that earned both the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Co-Athletic Training Staff of the Year award and the GNAC Commissioners' Award in 2025.

In addition to her work with Rivier's student-athletes, Brannen manages the Sports Medicine staff schedule, coordinates practice and game coverage with coaches and administrators, and oversees the athletic department's CPR certification training.

Prior to joining Rivier full-time, Brannen worked as a per diem athletic trainer for Precision Athletic Training, providing coverage for local schools and clubs, including Rivier and the Islanders Hockey Club. She also served as the Strength and Conditioning Specialist for the Hayden Synchronized Skating Teams in 2015.

From 2005-10, Brannen was an athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and health and wellness coach at the Central Maine Conditioning Clinic, where she provided personal health counseling, nutrition counseling, ergonomic assessments, and wellness screenings while helping clients prevent injuries and reduce overall health risks.