RIPON, Wisconsin – Longtime Ripon head athletic trainer Brian Azinger has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers' Association.
 
Azinger, the head athletic trainer for the Red Hawks while specifically overseeing volleyball, cross country, tennis, swim and dive and softball, is in his 25th year as the head athletic trainer for Ripon. He has been a Certified Athletic Trainer since 1992, and has been a collegiate Head Athletic Trainer since 1995.
 
"Dedication, professionalism, and genuine care are the qualities that define Brian Azinger," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris Schumacher. "He is a steady presence for our student-athletes and coaches alike. His commitment to their health and well-being goes beyond the training room, and his impact is felt every day. This recognition is well deserved, and we are grateful for his long tenured service to the Ripon College athletic programs."
 
Most notably, Azinger led all Ripon health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, assuring that all Ripon student-athletes returned to competition in a safe and healthy way. He oversees several student athletic trainers, and is deeply involved with the day-to-day operations of Ripon athletics from an athletic training standpoint. He can be frequently seen at Ripon athletic events with his wife, Liz, and has resided in Ripon for a quarter of a century. Azinger also travels with the Ripon softball program each year to Florida for its spring break trip. Outside of athletic training duties, Azinger teaches classes and works as an instructor in the Exercise Science Department.
 
Azinger said: "I have always enjoyed what I do and the people I have worked with at Ripon College. I have always done my job the way I think it should be done and am honored to be nominated for the Distinguished Service Award by Chris Schumacher. The nomination and award shows me that what I do is appreciated by the people I work with and I am happy they feel I am worthy of the honor."
 
This summer, Azinger will be awarded with the Midwest Conference Meritorious Service Award for reaching 25 years of service within the Midwest Conference.
 
Azinger will be recognized in an awards ceremony tonight, April 10, at the Oshkosh Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center.
 
Prior to Ripon, Azinger worked at Kentucky Sports Medicine, Centre College and Millikin University. He holds degrees from both Truman State and South Florida and has two daughters, Kaitlynn and Emma.
 
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