Albany, NY — Russell Sage College's  Department of Athletics has announced the selection of Joe Schildwachter (Fallston, MD/Concordia Preparatory School) as the newest member of the athletic department. A 2020 graduate of SUNY-Brockport, he arrives at Sage after also earning his Doctor of Athletic Training degree from the University of Florida this past May. He joins Sage's athletic training staff, led by Head Athletic Trainer Alex Gilbert and brings the staffing level for Sage's student-athletes to include four certified athletic training members.

Schildwachter remarked, "I am extremely excited to be joining the Sage family!" He continued, "Since accepting the position, I have felt so welcomed by the entire athletics department at Sage, and they have truly made me feel that I made the right decision. I am ecstatic to be starting in the fall, I can't wait to be a part of the continued growth that has made Sage so great!"

As an undergraduate student, he worked in the athletic training room for three years as an undergraduate student, working with the Golden Eagles' 23 varsity teams and held a leadership role as a senior working with the football program.

As a graduate student at the University of Florida, he gained valuable experience with manual therapy and has advanced clinical skills in suturing, casting, functional movement screening, diagnostic imaging, as well as active release techniques, and cupping.

Schildwachter has worked the past two years as the sole head athletic trainer at two different Florida high schools, while working on his graduate degree while also studying evidence-based medicine through the University of Florida.

Head Athletic Trainer Alex Gilbert commented, "We are very excited to add Joe to complete our sports medicine team." He added, "We think Joe is a great fit with the student-athletes, coaches, and sports medicine staff. Joe brings a plethora of knowledge and clinical experience, and we can't wait to hit the ground running come fall semester."

Russell Sage College, an NCAA Division III institution, competes as a member of the Empire 8 conference in most of its sports and offers 21 varsity programs.