Nikki Huffman (born June 7, 1987) is the former head athletic trainer for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 and 2019, and currently serves as a personal trainer for Marcus Stroman. She is only the second woman to be a head trainer in North America's top four sports leagues, after Sue Falsone.[1]
Nikki Huffman | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 7, 1987 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Averett University University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences |
| Occupation | Baseball athletic trainer |
| Organization | Toronto Blue Jays |
Early life and education
editHuffman grew up in Connelly Springs, North Carolina.[2] She watched Duke and Carolina basketball, college football, and NFL games with her dad on TV, which sparked an early interest in a career in sports.[2] While attending East Burke High School, she decided she wanted to be an athletic trainer.[2] She graduated in 2005.[3]
She played basketball and lacrosse during her years at Averett University.[4][2] She received her doctorate degree in physical therapy, with a focus on manual therapy, from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.[1]
Career
editAfter receiving her doctorate in physical therapy, Huffman was doing a residency and fellowship at Duke University's Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory.[1] In 2015, while at Duke, she helped Blue Jays' pitcher Marcus Stroman recover from a torn ACL, an injury that was supposed to end his season.[5] Stroman credits Huffman with enabling him to return for the end of the season and the postseason.[5][6] She worked with Stroman and teammate Aaron Sanchez in the 2015–16 offseason to prepare, which led her to connect with Blue Jays' training staff.[7] In 2016, she joined the Blue Jays' staff as physical therapist and rehab coordinator.[7][5]
In 2018, she took over as head athletic trainer, becoming the only woman currently a trainer, and only the second ever.[2]
In 2020, she left the Blue Jays to become Stroman's personal trainer.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Jays' Nikki Huffman becomes 2nd female head athletic trainer in major leagues". Canadian Press. December 22, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Nikki Huffman's path to the top of the Blue Jays training staff - Sportsnet.ca". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
- ^ Baker, Jason (January 7, 2018). "EBHS grad Huffman named Blue Jays head athletic trainer". The News Herald. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ^ Nikki Huffman - 2008-09 - Women's Basketball. Averett University Athletics. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Blue Jays promote Huffman to head trainer". MLB.com. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
- ^ McGrath, Kaitlyn. "If that was his last act with the Blue Jays, Marcus Stroman..." The Athletic. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
- ^ a b Lott, John. "Blue Jays physical therapist Nikki Huffman uses smiles,..." The Athletic. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
- ^ "'I think I should be dominant': Stro rarin' to go". MLB.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.