Holcomb Named Director of Athletic Training Education Program

Dr. Bill Holcomb will serve as the new director of Athletic Training Education Program in the School of Human Performance and Recreation in the College of Health at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Holcomb brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as a faculty member for San Jose State, the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the University of North Florida. 

Although he has only been a faculty member at Southern Miss for a short while, Holcomb is already strategically planning a curriculum that will include evidence-based research in addition to competencies in real life situations for students to learn.

“We want to return the quality of the past program while at the same time bringing about an evolution of the new standards as prescribed by our accreditation body,” said Holcomb.

Holcomb received his undergraduate degree from Berry College in Mt. Berry , Ga., his master's degree from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala., and doctorate from Auburn University.

While many details about the new curriculum are yet to be approved, the program will feature the guidelines of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.  This will include a large degree of hands-on application as well as evidence-based practice. An emphasis will be placed on student competencies in the way of understanding and managing athletic injury from prevention to rehabilitation.

Students interested in applying for the Athletic Training program may do so beginning in the spring of 2013. Options are available for both Southern Miss undergraduate students as well as community college transfer students. For more information about the Athletic Training Education Program call 601.266.6325.