Assistant Trainer Heather VanOpdorp Receives Appointment By Governor Charlie Crist
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced the Board of Athletic Training on Thursday, naming University of Tampa assistant athletic trainder Heather VanOpdorp among the five members.
The Board of Athletic Training, which still requires Senate confirmation, also includes Marissa Brunet, Gerado Gomez, Angela Sehgal and George Caldwell.
Heather VanOpdorp, 29, of Odessa, is the current assistant
athletic trainer and instructor with The University of Tampa. She
succeeds Joseph Underwood and will be appointed for a term
beginning June 24, 2008, and ending October 31,
2010.
VanOpdorp completed her fifth year as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. Her main responsibilities are covering volleyball while serving as the athletic training room coordinator for the AT Education Program. She also teaches at UT, where she is responsible for four classes in the Health/Exercise Science Department.
VanOpdorp earned her undergraduate degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C. As a four year lettwerinner in softball, she departed as the school record holder in wins, ERA, single season winning percentage and the fewest walks allowed in a season. She was also a two-time South Atlantic Conference second-team selection and a member of the 2000 SAC all-tournament team. VanOpdorp concluded her career while leading the conference in ERA during her senior season.
She also received her Master's in Education from Old Dominion University in 2003. While working towards her master's degree, VanOpdorp covered women's soccer, men's basketball and women's basketball. She also assisted with hosting the Division I women's basketball super regional tournament.
While at ODU, she also served as a pitching coach for the Maury High School softball team in Norfolk, Va. She helped the team to its first district title in school history.
Heather and her husband Chris reside in Odessa with their son, Tyler (May, 2007).