The Purdue University Sports Medicine Team provides medical care for varsity athletics, intramural and club sports, the general student body, and other members of the Purdue community. The athletic training staff provides quality health care services through the physical therapy clinic in the Student Health Center (PUSH) and the athletic training facilities in Mackey Arena and the Recreational Sports Center. For information about each member of our sports medicine team, please click on Athletic Training Staff, Team Physicians, and Support Staff.

Douglas Boersma, MS, AT
Director of Sports Medicine/ Head Athletic Trainer
boersma@purdue.edu - Office: 494-3223 - MACK

Doug Boersma joined Purdue as the Director of Sports Medicine in February 2012. A 1997 Purdue graduate, Boersma returned to his alma mater after spending eight and a half years in a similar roll at Bowling Green State University. There, Boersma served as head athletic trainer for football since 2003, director of sports medicine since 2005 and as assistant athletics director for sports performance since 2010. He also served as education coordinator for the Mid-American Conference Sports Medicine Association and as a part-time faculty member in the school of Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies at BGSU. Prior to Purdue, Doug served as athletic trainer at Kentucky and Notre Dame.

As director of sports medicine at Purdue, Boersma oversees the medical treatment, rehabilitation and pre-hab for all 18 varsity teams as well as the areas of sports performance, nutrition and sports psychology. A native of Highland, Ind., Boersma (born Oct. 13, 1974) and his wife, Cari (also a Purdue graduate), have three daughters: McKenna, Ashlyn and Kayden.

Larry Leverenz, Ph.D., AT
Curriculum Director/Athletic Trainer
llevere@purdue.edu - Office: 494-3167 - LAMB

Dr. Larry Leverenz joined the Purdue staff in 1991. He served as athletic trainer for men's basketball from 1993-2006.

Dr. Leverenz holds the academic rank of Clinical Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, and he serves as Director of Athletic Training Education. He has served professionally as a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Education Council and as president of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Currently, he is the President of the World Federation of Athletic Training/Therapy.

Dr. Leverenz previously worked as assistant athletic trainer at the University of Iowa. Before that he was the athletic training curriculum director/assistant athletic trainer at Western Illinois for seven years, athletic trainer at Macomb (Ill.) High School for five years and assistant athletic trainer at the U.S. Air Force Academy for three years.

A native of Fithian, Ill., Dr. Leverenz received a B.S. in physical education and biology from Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, an M.S. in physical education from Western Illinois and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Iowa.

Alice Wilcoxson, Ph.D., AT, PT
Clinical Coordinator/Athletic Trainer
awilcoxson@purdue.edu - Office: 494-3172 - LAMB

Alice Wilcoxson rejoined the Purdue Athletic Training faculty and staff in August 2004 in a split appointment with intercollegiate athletics and the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Her primary responsibilities in athletics includes providing athletic training services in Mackey Arena and clinical instruction for students in the athletic training education program. Academically, she teaches several courses and oversees the clinical education component of the athletic training education program.

Alice served in a variety of roles within Purdue’s Intercollegiate Athletics, the Student Health Center Physical Therapy Department, and the Recreational Sports Center Athletic Training Room from 1992 – 2000. She left Purdue from 2000- 2004, to serve as the Program Director for the Athletic Training Education Program at Eastern Kentucky University.

A native of Albany, KY., Alice earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education / Athletic Training at Eastern Kentucky University, her Master’s of Science degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis, and her Ph.D. from Purdue. She is married to Purdue alumni Darrin Wilcoxson. Darrin and Alice reside in West Lafayette.

Jessica Lipsett, AT, DPT
Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist
jzuercher@purdue.edu - Office: 494-3245 - MACK

 Jessica joined the staff in July 2003 and has the primary responsibility of women's basketball and track and field. Jessica received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in May 2000 with an emphasis in Athletic Training. She then received her Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from Northwestern University in December 2002. She was previously employed at Methodist Sports Medicine Center in Indianapolis.

Jessica and her husband, Tanner, live in Lafayette.

Kara Kessans, AT, DPT, CSCS
Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist
kkessans@purdue.edu - Office: 494-1839 - PUSH

Kara joined the sports medicine staff in July 2006 after receiving her doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. Her primary responsibilities are to provide athletic training coverage for men’s/women’s track and field/cross country teams, and to provide physical therapy services for the students, faculty, and staff at Purdue University Student Health Center Physical Therapy Clinic. In addition, she teaches and mentors undergraduate athletic training students in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Kara received her undergraduate degree at the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Sports Medicine in 2003. She became a certified Athletic Trainer and a member of the NATA in 2005. She is also a member of the APTA and NSCA. She was a member of the U of L Women's Basketball team from 1998-2002 as well as a participant at the state and national level in softball.

Sal Vallejo, AT
Athletic Trainer
svallejo@purdue.edu - Office: 494-3245 - MACK

Sal Vallejo returned to the Purdue Sports medicine staff in the fall of 2007. His primary sport responsibilities are with football. Along with his assigned duties, he is also a clinical instructor in the Purdue University Athletic Training Curriculum program teaching therapeutic modalities. Prior to working at Purdue, he was an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Notre Dame for 5 years. During his time at Notre Dame, he spent multiple seasons with men's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming and diving and men's and women's track and field. His responsibilities also included coordinating the physician clinical hours as well as teaching basic athletic training skills to work study students. A native of Hollister, CA, Vallejo earned his B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in athletic training from San Diego State University in 1999. He received his M.S. in pedagogy and administration from Purdue University in 2001. While attending Purdue, Vallejo was a graduate assistant in the Recreational Sports Center.

A Racine, Wisconsin native, Casey is in his fifth year at Purdue University and fifteenth year overall in intercollegiate athletics. He currently serves as an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist responsible for providing primary healthcare to intercollegiate athletes participating in football (fall) and baseball (fall and spring). Additional duties include providing physical therapy services to the general student population working through the Purdue University Health Center (PUSH) Physical Therapy Department, serving as primary instructor for HK 303: Therapeutic Modalities in the Purdue University Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) and serving as an Approved Clinical Instructor for sophomore, junior, and senior level athletic training students in the Purdue University ATEP. Outside of Purdue, he currently serves on the BOC Standards Committee as a Home Study Reviewer. Prior to arriving to Purdue, Casey was employed at Clarke College in Dubuque, IA for ten years. While at Clarke, his primary title was full-time instructor in the Clarke College Athletic Training Education Program. Teaching responsibilities included graduate and undergraduate level courses pertaining to therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, and care and prevention of athletic injuries. In addition, he served as an Approved Clinical Instructor and an academic advisor for athletic training and physical therapy students. One of the most interesting responsibilities while at Clarke was that he served as Head Assistant Men's Basketball Coach for ten years and Head Women's Golf Coach for six years. While at Clarke, the men's basketball program had its first winning season, multiple twenty win seasons and won both the Northern Illinois Iowa Conference (NIIC) regular season and tournament championships in 2004-2005. In golf, under Kohr, the women's golf team transitioned from an independent institution, to a member of the Midwest Classic Conference, allowing the participants to compete for conference championship for the first time in school history. In 2007-2008 Casey was voted educator of the year by the student-athletes. Other past experiences include being the athletic trainer for Iowa Select Men's and Women's High School Basketball teams on their Australian basketball tours, volunteering for the Missouri Valley Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments and the Midwest NCAA Men's Basketball Regional in St. Louis, acting as a staff athletic trainer for the Nike Hoop Jamboree and a past instructor for American Red Cross. Casey received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Health Sciences (1998), Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (1999), and Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree (2007) all from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. Casey resides in West Lafayette, IN and enjoys spending his time off at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex or spending quality time with family and friends on the links or the lakes in Northern Wisconsin.

Chad Young, AT
Athletic Trainer
chadyoung@purdue.edu

Chad Young is in his first season as the athletic trainer for the Boilermaker men's basketball and women's golf teams.

Prior to his arrival at Purdue, Young served as the athletic trainer for men's basketball and women's swimming at Bowling Green University, while also overseeing the graduate assistant assigned to the Falcons' women's basketball and volleyball squads.

Young earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health education with a minor in athletic training from BGSU in 1999, and received his Master of Education degree in developmental kinesiology from the university in 2001. His tenure in the Bowling Green department of athletics began as an athletic training student in 1996, and he later served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer before assuming full-time duties.

Stephanie Dyer joined the sports medicine staff in July 2012 primarily supervising wrestling and the men's and women's swimming and diving programs. In addition, she will mentor the undergraduate athletic training students in their clinical hours and serve as the instructor to the junior athletic training student clinical practice course.

She spent the past three years at Bowling Green State University working as the primary assistant to football and also working with the women's gymnastics team and cross country/track and field teams. Dyer was also an advisor for the BGSU athletic training student organization and assisted with the establishment of the organization in 2009.

Originally from Sterling Heights, MI, Stephanie received a B.S. in athletic training from Grand Valley State University in 2005. She received her M.Ed. in Developmental Kinesiology from Bowling Green State University in 2011. While working on her master's degree, her research focused on Multiple Intelligence theory in Athletic Training Education. At the Ohio Athletic Trainers' Association annual meeting in 2011, her poster presentation was selected as the most "Exceptional Presentations" at the conference.

Whitney Queen joined the Purdue Athletic Training staff in August of 2011 as an Intern Assistant Athletic Trainer. Miss Queen was elevated to the position of a full-time staff member in the spring of 2012. Miss Queen works with the men's and women's cross country and track, as well as men's and women's tennis teams. Along with her sports coverage, Miss Queen is an instructor for the senior athletic training clinical course.

Originally from Northeast Ohio, Whitney graduated in May 2011 from The University of Akron, with her Master of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis in Sport Studies and Coaching. While at Akron, she worked with the women's basketball and women's softball teams as a graduate assistant athletic trainer. Prior to that, Miss Queen attended Miami University in Oxford. There she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 2009 in Athletic Training.

Adam Leech was hired by ATI physical therapy in September as an outreach athletic trainer to Purdue University athletics. Mr. Leech's primary sport coverage is men's and women's tennis along with assisting the men's and women's cross country and track teams.

Prior to joining ATI physical therapy and Purdue University, Adam was an assistant athletic trainer for 2 years at Kent State University. While at KSU his primary coverage was with the men's basketball program, along with women's golf, baseball, wrestling, and cheer and dance. Prior to that Adam was a graduate assistant athletic trainer for Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU he assisted the football program, along with covering the men's and women's cross country and track teams. While at BGSU Adam received a Masters of Education with a concentration in developmental kinesiology.

Prior to that Adam received my Bachelors of Science degree with a concentration in Athletic Training at Ashland University. Adam is from northeast Ohio (small town called Streetsboro, Oh) and currently resides in West Lafayette with his fiancée.

Brandon joined the Purdue staff in July of 2012. His primary responsibility is to provide physical therapy services for the general student population along with student athletes at the Purdue University Student Health Center Physical Therapy Clinic. Along with his clinical duties, Brandon is a preceptor for students in the Purdue University Athletic Training Education Program as well as a classroom instructor for Therapeutic Exercise.

Prior to joining the Purdue staff, Brandon spent two years working as a clinician at Greencastle Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in west-central Indiana. He also spent a year as the head athletic trainer at North Putnam High School. In addition, through clinical internship opportunities he has experience working with athletes from high school, all divisions of collegiate athletics and professional sport teams.

A native of Russellville, IN., Brandon earned his Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Purdue University (2006), and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Indiana University (2010). He maintains his membership affiliation with the National Athletic Trainers' Association as well as the American Physical Therapy Association. In his free time, Brandon enjoys cycling, backpacking, golfing, climbing, and working on the family farm.

Katie Morigaki Breedlove, MS, AT
Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer
kmorigak@purdue.edu

Katie joined the Athletic Training staff at Purdue in July of 2009. Katie is serving as a graduate assistant with her primary responsibility being with the Division of Recreation Sports. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Health and Kinesiology. Between 2009-2011 Katie served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with the Purdue softball team while earning her Master of Science degree in Health and Kinesiology. She has also completed internships with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011 and 2012. Prior to coming to Purdue, Katie worked as an Intern-Assistant Athletic Trainer with Football for Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY. A native of Hilo, HI Katie earned her Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Boston University in 2008.

Sara joined the Purdue University Athletic Training staff in June 2011. She is serving as a graduate assistant with her primary responsibilities being with the Purdue Softball and Cheerleading teams and she will also support coverage of all intercollegiate sports. She will be pursuing a Master of Science degree in Health and Kinesiology. Sara's hometown is Champaign, IL. In May 2011 she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of Illinois.

Krystal joined the Purdue University Athletic Training staff in June of 2012. Krystal is pursuing a Masters degree in Health and Kinesiology. She is serving as a graduate assistant with her primary responsibility being with the Division of Recreation sports. Krystal's hometown is Kokomo, IN. She comes to Purdue University from Franklin College in Franklin, IN where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and minor in Fitness in May 2012. Prior to coming to Purdue, Krystal completed an internship with former Purdue athletic training student, Dr. Robert Marsh, DO at OrthoIndy South.

Greg Rowdon, MD
Team Physician
growdon@purdue.edu - Office: MACK

Dr. Greg Rowdon joined the Purdue sports medicine staff as team physician in June of 2005. He served in a similar position with the Boilermakers during the 1999-2000 school year.

 Most recently, Rowdon served as director for the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship in Indianapolis and was an Associate Clinical Professor within the Department of Medicine at Indiana University Medical Center.

Rowdon has held positions on the medical staff of the National Institute for Fitness and Sports, National Football League Draft Physicals, Nike All American Academic Basketball Camp and the RCA Professional Tennis Tournament.  He has served as the team physician for Cardinal Ritter and Speedway High Schools, multiple IHSAA State Championships, IUPUI, and the Indiana Firebirds Professional Arena Football team.

Rowdon is affiliated with the Sports Medicine CAQ Examination Committee, National Federation of High Schools Sports Advisory Committee, American College of Sports Medicine and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and he has served as chair of the Indiana State Medical Society Sports Medicine Commission.

 Rowdon, a native of Decatur, Ind., received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering/biomedical engineering from Purdue and his medical degree from the University of Kansas. He and his wife, Christy, have two children, Ellie and Amy.

Alayne Sundstrom , DO
Team Physician
asundstr@purdue.edu - Office: 494-3245 - MACK

Dr. Alayne Sundstrom joined the Purdue sports medicine staff as team physician in August of 2005.

Sundstrom previously worked for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, for five years. In addition, Sundstrom provided athletic medical coverage for Fairbanks High School, Dublin City Schools, Marysville Exempted Village Schools, the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the National City Triathlon.

Sundstrom is affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Family Practicioners, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, and Ohio Osteopathic Association.

A native of Kirksville, Missouri, Sundstrom received a B.S. degree in biology from Truman State University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.

K. Donald Shelbourne, MD is an orthopedic surgeon in Indianapolis. His specialties include orthopaedic and arthroscopic surgery, knee ligament reconstruction and rehabilitation. He also pioneered the contralateral ACL reconstruction for torn anterior cruciate ligaments and developed the accelerated ACL reconstruction rehabilitation protocol.

Dr. Shelbourne's practice began in 1982 and includes clinic, surgery, therapy and a research department. He has focused his research toward advancing the surgical treatment and rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. He has performed more than 4000 ACL reconstructions and closely monitors his patients' progress and results. This information is shared through the publication of over 150 journal articles and 40 book chapters.

Through his ongoing research, Dr. Shelbourne is able to provide up-to-date treatment and rehabilitation methods for patients world-wide. In 1994, Dr. Shelbourne began performing ACL reconstruction using the patellar tendon graft from the non-injured (contralateral) knee. This advancement in treatment offers patients the ability to rehabilitate their knee faster with more predictable results. Over 2000 patients have undergone this procedure and most athletes return to their desired sport by 3 months after surgery.

Dr. Snead is an orthopaedic physician at Methodist Sports Medicine Center, specializing in the disorders of the upper extremity, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. He completed a one-year fellowship at Methodist Sports Medicine Center and joined the clinic during the summer of 1999.

He received his medical degree in 1991 from Wright State University. Born in Gary, Indiana, Dr. Snead completed one year of general surgery and one year of family practice residency before completing his orthopaedic residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.

Dr. Snead is an orthopaedic consultant to Manchester College and Purdue University and team physician at Warren Central High School. For the past three seasons, Dr. Snead was the orthopaedic consultant and team physician for the Arena Football League's Indiana Firebirds.

Dr. Snead grew up in Dayton, Ohio, attended Centerville High School and earned his undergraduate degree from Miami (Ohio) University.

Rachel Clark
Sports Nutritionist
RachelClark@purdue.edu - Office: 496-2711 - STON

Rachel A. Clark is a Board Certified Sports Dietitian (CSSD). She earned a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics and in Nutrition, Fitness and Health from Purdue University, where she also competed nationally and internationally in rowing as a student-athlete. She earned a Master's degree in Exercise and Sports Nutrition from Texas Woman's University. Since 2001, she has held a split appointment at Purdue University in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and in the Department of Nutrition Science. As a CSSD, her expertise guides Purdue's student-athletes towards enhanced sport performance via dietary strategies. In her academic role, she directs the undergraduate major in Nutrition, Fitness and Health and teaches several courses: Nutrition Assessment, Essentials of Nutrition and Practicum in Nutrition, Fitness and Health. She is active in SCAN (Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists), SD-USA (Sports Dietetics USA), and the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine).

Whitney joined the Sports Medicine staff in February 2012 with a split appointment in the Department of Nutrition Science and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Her primary role is to meet all of the nutrition needs of the varsity sports, including one-on-one nutrition counseling, team nutrition education, meal planning, and dietary supplementation. She is a registered dietitian and received her Master of Science Degree in Nutrition with a minor in Exercise Science from Oregon State University. Whitney is from Boise, ID and received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics from the University of Idaho.

Dr. Adam Shunk is a licensed psychologist who has been the consulting sports psychologist for Purdue sports medicine since 2008. Adam serves a variety of roles working with student athletes where he provides individual counseling services to assist competitive athletes in the application of mental skills in the sports arena as well as services for athletes with clinical and mental health issues. As a neuropsychologist, Dr. Shunk is involved in the assessment and management of sports-related concussion and provides psychoeducational evaluations for athletes with ADHD and learning disorders.

He attained his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before earning his M.A. and Ph.D. from Ball State University. He completed an internship followed by a two year post doctoral fellowship where he was trained in both the areas of neuropsychology and sports psychology at St Vincent Hospital. Athletically, Adam was previously a competitive high jumper who was an NCAA and USA champion. He competed professionally for NIKE and represented team USA at the IAAF World Championship and the Pan-American Games. Adam is a native of Muncie, Indiana and currently lives in Indianapolis with his wife Patricia and his two sons.

Jane Bline
Medical Insurance Coordinator
jsbline@purdue.edu - Office: 494-3245 - MACK

Jane Bline joined the sports medicine staff in 2000 as insurance coordinator. Her background includes insurance billing, office management, medical records management and transcription. She is a registered radiologic technologist (ARRT). In 2011 she became certified to operate the GE Lunar Dexa scanner in sports medicine. Jane is a native Floridian. She moved to Indiana in 1999. She has 2 grown children and lives in West Lafayette with her husband, Ralph.

Kathy O'Brien
Secretary, Purdue Sports Medicine Department
- Office: 494-3245 - MACK

Kathy O'Brien enters her 21st year working in Purdue Athletics, working with the staff in Sports Medicine the last year. She performs administrative duties for the Director of Sports Medicine, along with the Athletic Trainers, Team Physicians, Nutritionists and Sports Psychologist.

Kathy was initially hired by Purdue in 1984 in a secretarial position in biomedical engineering before moving to the Athletic department. She was the recipient of the Mortar Board Rose Award in 1988 and completed course work in the Accomplished Clerical Excellence program in 1990.

Kathy is a 1973 graduate of Angela Merici High School in Louisville, KY and has been married for 39 yrs. to her husband, Martin. They have two adult children, Todd and Aubrey.