Local athletic trainer, Joseph Koch of Roxbury High School, named regional nominee for The Newell 2017 National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award

Joseph Koch, certified athletic trainer at Roxbury High School, was recently named the regional nominee for The Newell 2017 National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. As the regional nominee, Koch advanced on to join other regional nominees from across the nation to be considered The Newell Award 2017 National Athletic Trainer of the Year.

In partnership with local orthopedic practices, such as Tri-County Orthopedics, The Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award recognizes athletic trainers for the service and leadership they provide local athletic communities. Based on examples of service, leadership and shared experiences from community members, nominees for The Newell National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award are determined regionally. Several hundred exceptional shared experiences from community members were received in support of Koch’s regional nomination for the National Award.

“The outpouring of support from community members on Mr. Koch’s behalf has been tremendous and certainly well-deserved," says Dr. Stephen A. Hunt, sports medicine surgeon with Tri-County Orthopedics. “We feel honored to acknowledge his efforts by partnering with The Newell Award to recognize the region’s top athletic trainers for the service and leadership they display while treating our community athletes.”

Koch, a long-time certified local athletic trainer for the community and Roxbury High School, received his bachelor of science degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick; he then went on to get his masters of science degree in education with a specialization in athletic training from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He has been extremely involved in the sports medicine community for the past 20 years, caring for injured athletes and educating future athletic trainers through his work.

In addition to Koch, there were several other exceptional candidates considered for regional nomination for The Newell 2017 National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award including Suzanne Barba of West Morris Central High School, Matthew Beneszewski of Delbarton School and Scott Hoagland of Ridge High School.

“The testimonials received on behalf of all the candidates demonstrate how fortunate we are at Tri-County Orthopedics to work with such an incredible group of medical professionals,” continues Dr. Hunt. “It is also a reminder to our communities how lucky we are to have them on the sidelines for our student athletes.”

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