Date: Dec 07, 2011

Athletic Training Major Receives Scholarship Established By The Buffalo Bills

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY -- Elizabeth Smith, a senior athletic training education major, has won the New York State Athletic Trainers' Association (NYSATA) Edward Abramoski Scholarship, which was established by the Buffalo Bills in honor of their long-time athletic trainer.

Throughout his 37 years with the Bills, Abramoski aided more than a thousand athletes with their physical training while also serving as a father figure to many players. In 1986, he was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. A decade later, he was inducted in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. NYSATA is devoted to enhancing the quality of health care for the physically active in New York State.

 “Liz demonstrates diligence and a stong work ethic with her academic endeavors and all commitments to Hofstra's community,” said Heather Clemons, clinical coordinator for  Hofstra’s athletic training education program. “She has excelled in her role as the ‘silent leader’ for the athletic training students. Liz leads not with strong words, but with the excellent example she sets forth through her dedication as an athletic training student, professional demeanor and loyalty to the Hofstra women's basketball program.”

For Smith, who is originally from Newark, Del., her position as a manager for the women’s basketball team has provided a unique clinical experience.

“One of the reasons I came to Hofstra was the flexibility of the athletic training education program,” said Smith, who maintains a 3.8 GPA and was named a Provost Scholar in the spring of 2010. “The versatility allowed me to pursue an athletic training degree and work with the women’s basketball team. Being a women’s basketball manager, I have the ability treat players and work with the professional trainers on the road, and that’s something that you don’t get with many clinical experiences.”

Additionally, Smith has completed clinical experiences with athletic teams at Hofstra, Adelphi University and  Nassau Community College. She serves as secretary of the Iota Tau Alpha Athletic Training Education Honor Society and is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. She was the recipient of the Hofstra University Presidential Scholarship upon admission and has earned a spot on the Dean's List for excellence in academic performance in each of her semesters. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in sports management.

“Nowadays, so many athletic directors come from a business background and don’t always understand some of the needs of coaches and players,” Smith said. “My experience here definitely gives me a unique base of information about college athletics that will definitely help me succeed in sports management.”

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution of higher education where more than 12,000 full and part-time students choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, education, health and human services, honors studies, a School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

 ###