In Episode 004, we are joined by the Head Athletic Trainer for the US Air Force Academy Football program, Erick Kozlowski. Erick begins our discussion by outlining his early years in school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and how it influenced the early part of his career. Between working in a university environment, a high school setting and then learning the ropes within a pro sport organization, Erick had many distinct influences and mentors to help form his vision of a career in Athletic Training. But much of Erick’s career has been moulded within the confines of the US Air Force Academy located in Colorado. We quickly understand that Erick has worked hard to establish strong relationships with colleagues, coaches and student athletes at the Academy. In particular, his close work with the Strength and Conditioning staff is central in providing the best possible treatment progressions as part of the return-to-play process, as well as providing an overall supportive environment for student athletes from the training room, to the weight room and the playing field. Erick is a true professional contributing to the overall robust educational experience of cadets at the Academy.

Erick Kozlowski started at USAFA in 1998 and became the Head Athletic Trainer for Football for the 2014 season. For 15 years, Kozlowski was the athletic trainer for the successful US Air Force Academy wrestling team. Kozlowski came to the US Air Force Academy from the University of New Mexico, where he was the assistant athletic trainer and director of the CAAHEP Approved Undergraduate Athletic Training Program. In 1995, he received his master's degree in sports administration from UNM after receiving his bachelor's degree in athletic training from UNM in 1989. Kozlowski has also served as head athletic trainer at Santa Fe (N.M.) High School and worked with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club (rookie league) in Port Charlotte, Fla. He has been a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer and member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) since 1989 and is a member of USA Wrestling and the Volunteer Sports Medicine Program with the United States Olympic Committee. He received advanced credentials in Orthopedic Rehab and Sports Performance Dry Needling (2016), Performance Enhancement Specialist (2005) and a Corrective Exercise Specialist (2007) from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

You can find out more information on Erick Kozlowski via the following links:

Website: https://goairforcefalcons.com/staff-directory/erick-kozlowski/403

Twitter: https://twitter.com/erickkoz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejkoz/


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