BOSTON, MA – Michael J. Welch (Raymond, NH) has been named Athletic Trainer/Strength & Conditioning Specialist at Simmons College, it was announced today by Director of Athletics, Ali Kantor.  

Welch has been with the Simmons College Sports Medicine staff since his arrival in August of 2010 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer.  With the new appointment, Welch becomes a full-time staff member and is also the college's first-ever Strength & Conditioning Coach in addition to his duties as an Athletic Trainer on campus.  He assists in providing the healthcare and strength and conditioning for all of the Sharks’ intercollegiate athletic teams.

Prior to Simmons, Welch served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts from 2008 to 2010. While with the Minutemen, he worked directly with the nationally ranked Women’s Softball team, Men’s Soccer Team, and assisted in the daily coverage of all 21 intercollegiate programs. In addition, Welch earned a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from from UMass Amherst in May 2010.

Welch earned his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training at Lasell College in Newton, MA. While at Lasell, he competed as a varsity athlete and also served as a student Athletic Trainer.

Welch is currently pursuing a degree in Health Professions Education at Simmons, where he plans to expand his interest in exercise, sports medicine, and health care in the Boston area.