UMC Promotes Krouse to Head Athletic Trainer

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston officially announced the promotion of Steven Krouse to head athletic trainer. Krouse spent the last two years as an assistant athletic trainer for the Golden Eagles. Krouse will continue to be the primary trainer for women’s soccer, women’s basketball and softball teams, while overseeing the entire operation of UMC’s athletic training office.

“We are excited to be able to promote Steven to the position of head athletic trainer,” said Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson. “During the last two years, I have been impressed with the work ethic and passion that Steven has displayed in his position. We are excited to be able to keep someone of his ability and expertise as a part of the Golden Eagle family.”

“I am thrilled to be moving into the head athletic trainer role here at the University of Minnesota Crookston,” Krouse said. “Becoming a head athletic trainer at a College or University has always been a career goal of mine and I am very grateful to Stephanie for trusting me with this great opportunity.”

Krouse has also served as the strength and conditioning coach for the Golden Eagles for women’s soccer, women’s basketball and softball. He has been an important part of UMC’s efforts to streamline their strength and conditioning and athletic training efforts. By doing this the department can help to prevent injury and can help injured athletes recover more easily.

In addition to his roles in athletic training and strength and conditioning, Krouse also teaches Kinesiology and Exercise Prescription in the Exercise Science department.

Assistant Athletic Trainer Megan Rinke will continue to work with the volleyball and baseball teams. She will also continue to administer the strength and conditioning programs for those programs, as well. The Golden Eagles will look to hire another assistant athletic trainer who will serve as the head athletic trainer for football and men’s basketball.

Krouse came to UMC from the College of St. Scholastica, where he earned a Master of Science in Athletic Training in 2014. During his time at St. Scholastica, Krouse worked as an athletic trainer for the University of Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball team, as - well as the football and track and field teams at St. Scholastica and the football and volleyball teams at Northwestern High School in Maple, Wis. As a student at Saint Olaf College, Krouse assisted the athletic training staff with the track and field and baseball teams.

In addition to his collegiate experience, Krouse has served as the lead trainer for the J. Robinson Intensive Basketball Camp. In addition, he worked as an intern at ESPN's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. during the summer of 2013. During this time he provided medical coverage for male and female athletes competing in the sports of soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, basketball, gymnastics, track and field, football, tennis, wrestling and volleyball. He has also provided medical coverage at the Drew Brees Passing Academy, the Wounded Warriors Softball Camp and the Special Olympics. He has also volunteered at the Minnesota State High School Cross Country Championship and Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn.

Krouse graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science in 2011 from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native, was a member of the track and field and cross country teams at Saint Olaf. He is certified by the National Athletic Trainer Association-Board of Certification. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

In his free time, Krouse has become an avid marathon runner, just completing his fourth marathon. Krouse resides in Crookston, Minn. He takes over for Liam Higginson, who is now working as an athletic trainer in an industrial setting in West Virginia.