For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 5, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

JACKIE DOWNAR JOINS LADY BRONCS AS ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American has a new assistant athletic trainer.

Jackie Downar has joined the staff and will assist Head Athletic Trainer Jim Lancaster.

A native of Hertford, North Carolina, where she played basketball and softball at Perquimans County High School, Downar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of North Carolina, where she served as a student trainer for four years. 

“I loved athletics, but I didn’t want to be a doctor,” said Downar. “I thought that being a trainer was a great way to be involved in sports medicine.”

Downar then earned a Master of Science degree in Sports Health Care at the Arizona School of Health Sciences. While attending graduate school, Downar served as an athletic trainer at both Sunnyslope and Mesa High Schools in the Phoenix, Arizona area. She also served an internship as an athletic trainer with the Milwaukee Brewers’ farm team in the Arizona Rookie League.

”We’re excited to have Jackie coming here,” said Lancaster. “We think she’s going to bring a lot to the table. Her formal education will help a lot with our students in their internship program. Whenever you bring in someone from a different background, it helps upgrade your program.”

Downar was excited to join the staff at Texas-Pan American. “I love working hands-on with teams and athletes, and I can’t wait to get to work,” said Downar. “I’m excited that I will get to work with all of the teams and work with everybody, instead of just concentrating on one or two teams.”

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