Rock Hill, S.C. —- The Catawba College athletic training staff was named the 2025 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year, the league office announced Thursday morning.

Led by Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Brandon Auton, the staff also consists of Nora Simmers, Brianne Morith, Tasha James, Michaela Kokoski, Alex Horaitis, Kayla O'Connell, Lindsey Turbyfill, Hana Vander Galien and Deep Singh.

"I couldn't be prouder of our athletic training staff, under the leadership of Brandon Auton, for being named the SAC Athletic Training Staff of the Year," Catawba Vice President for Athletics Michelle Caddigan said. "This well-deserved recognition is a testament to their tireless work ethic, deep commitment to excellence and unwavering focus on the wellness of our student-athletes. Day in and day out, they go above and beyond to ensure our athletes are healthy, prepared and supported – physically, mentally and emotionally. They truly embody the spirit of Catawba Culture with a relentless commitment of doing things the right way. I am thrilled to see them recognized for their efforts and am grateful for each of them."

The 10-person team is responsible for all of the sports medicine needs for each of Catawba's 24 intercollegiate sports. Catawba earns the honor for the first time since 2020, when it was named the 2019-20 Athletic Training Staff of the Year.

"The athletic trainers in our conference are amazing and work tirelessly on behalf of our nearly 7,000 student-athletes," SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz said. "For Catawba to be selected for this honor by the other athletic training staffs in the SAC is a tremendous honor. Brandon Auton and his team consistently go above and beyond to serve the student-athletes at Catawba as well as student-athletes from the visiting teams with a great duty of care. We appreciate the efforts of all of our athletic trainers because we could not do what we do without these spectacular professionals."

The award is voted on by the South Atlantic Conference Athletic Trainers Committee. 

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Michael Flicker, Lenoir-Rhyne, Senior Associate AD/Head Athletic Trainer

"Brandon Auton and his staff are deserving winners of this award in a conference loaded with quality Athletic Training staffs. My staff  knows we will get excellent care and support when we head to Salisbury.  The Catawba AT staff also does a tremendous job working with their student athletes and have definitely earned this honor."

Jim Gantt, Catawba, Head Baseball Coach

"Brandon Auton and the entire athletic training staff diligently work day in and day out for our student-athletes. It's a well-deserved honor and we all are lucky to have them at Catawba."

Jason Bryan, Catawba, Head Men's and Women's Cross Country/T&F Coach

" I'm really excited to hear about our AT staff receiving this recognition. Brandon and the AT staff here at Catawba are great at what they do but are also great people to work with."

Caitlyn Corace, Catawba, Head Women's Lacrosse Coach

" We are so lucky to have an athletic training staff that truly works as a team, cares deeply and works tirelessly to ensure that they are giving the best care possible to our student-athletes. Brandon and his staff truly embody "Catawba Culture" and I could not think of a more deserving group to receive the honor of Athletic Training Staff of the Year."