ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Bard College Director of Athletics & Recreation, Stefanie Carrington, has named Leo Desrochers as the newest Bard College Assistant Athletic Trainer. Desrochers comes from Merrimack College and will join the Department starting September 15th. 

"I'm honored to begin my professional career as an assistant athletic trainer at Bard College. As a recent graduate, I'm grateful for the opportunity to grow in a community that values inclusion, respect, and integrity. I'm excited to support the health and well-being of our student athletes. As well as  explore all that the beautiful Hudson Valley has to offer!"

"Leo comes highly recommended as a very capable clinician and a valued team member," said Bard Head Athletic Trainer, Lydia Johnson. "He has a ton of passion for the field of athletic training and I know our student athletes will benefit from having him here on campus this year."

Desrochers is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and holds an Adult CPR/AED certification.

Desrochers joins Bard after earning his Master's of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Merrimack College. His clinical athletic training experience includes stops at Tufts, Harvard, the University of New Hampshire, and The Governor's Academy. 

He most recently worked at Tufts, where he developed and implemented therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation plans for post-surgical cases. He worked with the men's lacrosse team to improve patient outcomes via preventative rehabilitation and patient education.

Prior to his time at Tufts, he worked at Harvard, where he utilized targeted therapeutic rehabilitation exercises with the football team. He also was involved in the upkeep of facility supplies and practice/game setups. He also worked at the University of New Hampshire, assisting the women's basketball and women's field hockey teams with rehabilitation exercises and therapeutic programs. In addition, he worked for The Governor's Academy's athletics department, assisting fall and winter sports. During his time there, he implemented preventative taping/bracing for the academy's teams.

Desrochers also has experience as a physical therapy aide for Gemini Physical Therapy, where he checked patients in and out, led patients through rehabilitation plans, maintained health records, and communicated the progress of patients to clinicians.