MCCC Athletic Trainer Elisa Camillone Honored by National Association (12/6/06) MCCC's head athletic trainer Elisa Camillone has been honored by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) with its Annual Service Award. Camillone served as a member of the organization's Women in Athletic Training Committee from 2000-2005. The committee's mission is to address issues facing female trainers, such as juggling job and family, fairness in the job market, leadership roles and mentoring. As Mercer's head trainer for the past 24 years, Camillone's responsibilities include overseeing the health and welfare of athletes on MCCC's eight intercollegiate teams. She also serves as assistant athletic director, athletic equipment manager, and student worker supervisor. She teaches classes in prevention and care of athletic injuries, concepts of health and fitness, and stress management. MCCC head athletic trainer Elisa Camillone Camillone received her master's degree in Education with a concentration in Adapted Physical Education from Trenton State College (renamed The College of New Jersey) in 1979. She earned her bachelor of science degree in Physical Education from Montclair State College in 1978. She is an Athletic Trainer licensed by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners. Camillone has been a NATA member since 1980. She is also a member of the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association and the Athletic Trainers Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ), where she served as the first female president (1991-93). In 2003 she was the recipient of the ATSNJ's Distinguished Service Award. When Camillone started out in the field 27 years ago, men outnumbered women by a large margin. "There had been a lack of female role models," Camillone said. "Now there's a trail that women can follow. The National Athletic Trainers' Association helped to establish that." As an MCCC veteran, Camillone has witnessed many amazing wins - and some occasional tough defeats - with the title-winning Vikings sports program. But when a player is injured on the field, Camillone goes into action. She says that her goal is to help Viking athletes return to the game as quickly and safely as possible. "I want them to understand that this is a short period in their lives. If they do not heal properly, their bodies will not forget." Camillone has honed her approach over the years, mixing an easygoing sense of humor with the serious rehabilitation instructions she delivers to injured players. "The most important message I give young athletes is to take care of themselves," she said. In her local community, Carmillone has served as a board member for the Ewing Township Girls Softball program since 2000, and is a volunteer manager/coach for the Ewing Recreation Department. Return to Sports News

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