ITHACA, N.Y. – Long-time Ithaca College head athletic trainer, Mike Matheny, has announced that he will retire at the end of this academic year after 37 years at the college.

"It has been a privilege to work at Ithaca College for 37 years as both an athletic trainer and clinical faculty member," said Matheny. "When I began here in 1987, our athletic training staff consisted of myself, Kent Scriber and Jackie Kingma. We provided medical care for all our student-athletes and taught all of the courses in the athletic training education program. Things have changed! Our athletic training students will now be graduating with a master's degree and our AT faculty/staff has grown significantly. I've watched our athletes win multiple team and individual national championships and I've seen tremendous changes in our facilities, including the renovation of Hill Center, the addition of the Athletic and Events Center and Higgins Stadium, and the installation of field turf at Butterfield Stadium. One thing that has not changed, however, is the commitment to excellence found within our athletic training staff and our Department of Intercollegiate Athletics."

Matheny arrived on South Hill in 1987 and has worked with some of the most successful teams in school history – most notably the 1988 and 1991 national championship football teams. Along with that, Matheny played an integral role in the expansion of athletic training facilities on campus, which provides premiere care for student-athletes, as well as educational experiences for students enrolled at Ithaca. He has taught more than 560 athletic training majors during his time as a clinical professor and has published nearly 20 manuscripts for educational purposes.

"I could not be more grateful for the time I have had working with Mike Matheny as our Head Athletic Trainer," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79. "Mike is a highly committed professional and a wonderful colleague. The time and attention that he put into navigating IC Athletics through the pandemic is astronomical. His collaboration with Dr. Getzin, health care professionals, staff and student-athletes as well as league colleagues is unmatched. I am forever grateful for his excellent work.  I wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life."

"I was fortunate to learn from the best having Mike as a professor when I was an undergrad student," said Courtney Grey, clinical professor and athletic trainer. "Having him as a mentor has been a privilege and I am grateful for the supportive work environment he established. He has always provided the best medical care for the student-athletes at Ithaca College and lead a sports medicine program that we are all immensely proud to be a part of."

When the COVID-19 pandemic halted nearly every aspect of life, Matheny helped developed one of the most comprehensive return to campus action plans at the collegiate level alongside Dr. Andrew Getzin. In the summer of 2021, Matheny was be named the National Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

"Mike has been a wonderful mentor and colleague since my arrival at IC," said clinical professor and athletic trainer Chris Hummell. "He has helped to create an environment where student-athletes receive outstanding healthcare while providing an unparalleled place where the next generation of athletic trainers learn the profession. His integrity, professionalism, and passion for helping are unmatched. It is an honor to call him a colleague and friend. While we will certainly miss him, his presence will be felt for years to come within the culture he helped to build."

In the fall of 2022, Matheny was inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame to become just the ninth inductee voted into the hall of fame who was associated with athletic training.

Outside of his time as a professor and athletic trainer, Matheny could be seen as an avid supporter of his youngest of two daughters, Meghan Matheny '23, at track & field meets. Meghan would conclude her career at IC as a three-time national champion and a six-time All-American. His oldest daughter, Carlyn, graduated from Ithaca in 2019.

"When all is said and done, I know it is the people here who make it a special place and it is colleagues and students that I will miss," Matheny continued. "A huge thank you to faculty, administrators, coaches and staff I've worked with, to the faculty who educated and mentored my two kids, and to the students and student-athletes I've worked with and gotten to know over many years. A separate and heartfelt thank you to those who have been my close colleagues, mentors and friends in our athletic training program - I can't imagine a better group of people to work with on a daily basis and I am proud and fortunate to have been a part of that for a long time. I will always be a Bomber!"

What other colleagues have to say to Mike Matheny:

Garret Eldridge, Head Men's Soccer Coach - Mike has been integral to our program's success over the past five years. His dedication to providing exemplary care to our student-athletes has directly led to on-field results. Mike has also been a tremendous relationship builder. Our program will miss not only his work in the clinic but also his presence. I have no doubt he is one of the best athletic trainers in the county.

Jeff Long, Retired Head Men's Lacrosse Coach - Mike and I both began our IC careers on August 15th, 1987. In those 36 years as a 'team' he simply made my life and the lives of our student athletes better, has kept all of us happier and healthier, and he has pretty much seen and done it all - on the field and off. He is a selfless and caring human being who always placed the needs of others ahead of his own. To me he was not just a colleague, he was a brother. Here's to your next adventure Mike. Luv ya.