Certified Athletic Trainers
The Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) are medical professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and others who are engaged in everyday physical activities. Athletic trainers have been recognized by the American Medical Association as allied health care professionals since 1990. As part of the complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a physician and in cooperation with other allied health care professionals.
Certified Athletic Trainers have, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree and have completed coursework/clinical hours from an accredited athletic training program. They have fulfilled the requirements for certification established by the Board of Certification. They are employed in a variety of settings such as: secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, physical therapy clinics, hospitals, professional sports teams, industrial settings, corporations and other athletic health care settings.
Randy Baack - Head athletic trainer
Randy Baack currently serves as the Head Athletic Trainer at Concordia University, Nebraska. Baack took his position with the Bulldogs in 2002. A Bulldog alum, he graduated from Concordia in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. During his playing days, he was a four-year letter winner in baseball.
After college, Baack spent five years serving as a teacher/youth director in two congregations in North Tonawanda, New York and Salt Lake City, Utah.
He then attended the University of Utah working toward certification as an Athletic Trainer. He graduated from Indiana State University with a master's in Athletic Training in 1996.
Baack spent six years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Potomac High School in Virginia before coming to Concordia.
Randy and his wife Jill are natives of Columbus, Ind. They have two daughters, Anna and Abigail. During his free time he enjoys playing sports, camping and spending time with his family.
Aaron Madsen - Assistant athletic trainer
Aaron Madsen is in his eighth year at Concordia and currently serves as the Assistant Athletic Trainer and Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Bulldogs. Madsen covers the Bulldog men's and women’s soccer, volleyball, competitive dance and cheer, wrestling, men's and women’s indoor/outdoor track, softball, and men's/women's tennis teams.
A 2001 graduate from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Madsen obtained degrees in Exercise Science and Athletic Training. He began his career with a clinical internship at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with the Husker Athletic Medicine Department. He was also on staff at Lincoln Orthopedic Physical Therapy, PC for two years.
In addition to his duties at Concordia, he is a Certified Firefighter and EMT with Seward’s Fire and Rescue Department.
Madsen holds a number of certifications, including being a Board Certified Athletic Trainer, State Licensed Athletic Trainer, Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician, State Licensed Emergency Medical Technician, and Certified Medication Aide. He is certified in Advanced Airway Management, CPR and AED, has been a CPR instructor for the American Heart Association, and is also a Nebraska Certified Firefighter I.
Madsen is an Allied Health Professional member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association, Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association, College Athletic Trainers' Association, American College of Sports Medicine, National Academy of Sports Medicine, Nebraska School Activities Association Sports Medicine Team, Cornhusker State Games’ Medical Team, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Association, Nebraska Emergency Medical Services Association, and the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighter’s Association.
In his free time, Aaron enjoys being active in his church, reading, spending time with his family, wife, and friends; running, biking, and exercising; working for the NSAA State High School Athletic Championships; volunteering for the Cornhusker State Games’ Medical Team; volunteering on Fire and Rescue Departments; and keeping up-to-date and advancing with continuing education in his respective medical fields.
In addition, Madsen is a former GPAC—Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (ATA) Vice President and President. He is also the current Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association Executive Board Vice President (2010-present) and served the previous four years as Treasurer (2006-2010).
