Athletic Training

Dr. Tina L. Claiborne, Ph.D., AT, ATC, CSCS
Email: tclaiborne@adrian.edu
Office: Merillat-212
Office Ext.: 4432

Dr. Tina Claiborne came to Adrian College as the program director of athletic training in 2007, and developed the first Master’s degree in Athletic Training at Adrian College. She earned her BS degree in Athletic Training at Ithaca College, and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in clinical kinesiology and biomechanics from the University of Toledo. Before becoming an educator, Dr. Claiborne worked as a clinical athletic trainer in private and public high schools, as well as the orthopedic sports rehabilitation setting.

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Dr. Kevin Darr, Ph.D.
Email: kdarr@adrian.edu
Office: Merillat-211
Office Ext.: 3967

Kevin Darr earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Exercise Physiology and, afterward, conducted post-doctoral research in skeletal muscle biology at Rush Medical School in Chicago. During his tenure at Adrian, he has taught a variety of courses including human anatomy, physiology and exercise physiology. Most recently his interests lay in the effects of physical exercise on brain structure and function.

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Dr. Tyler Harris, Ph.D., AT, ATC
Email: tharris@adrian.edu
Office: Merillat-209
Office Ext.: 4017

Tyler S. Harris joined Adrian College in 2020. He earned his B.S. in Athletic Training from Northern Arizona University, M.S. in Psychology from Northern Michigan University, and Ph.D in Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity from Michigan State University. Dr. Harris has a wide range of clinical athletic training experience, from Olympic weightlifting, to fencing, to women’s roller derby. Dr. Harris’s research interests include: adapted physical activity, doping in sport, and concussion reporting decisions.

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Prof. Victor Liberi, MS, ATC, CHSE, CSCS(ret), OPE-C
Email: vliberi@adrian.edu
Office: Merillat-161
Office Ext.: 5022

Victor Liberi joined Adrian College in their Athletic Training program in Fall 2009. He earned his MS degree in Biomechanics at University of Delaware, Newark. In his 30 years as an athletic trainer, Professor Liberi has worked in every level of athletic training (pro, collegiate, and HS). He was a member of the 1993 National League Champion, Philadelphia Phillies, as a minor league athletic trainer.

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Dr. Jeffrey C. Murphy, Ph.D.
Email: jmurphy@adrian.edu
Office: Merillat-242A
Office Ext.: 4431

Dr. Jeff Murphy came to Adrian College as assistant professor of exercise science in 2021. He earned his B.S. degree in Psychology at Saint Vincent College, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in exercise physiology from The University of Pittsburgh. Before becoming an educator, Dr. Murphy worked as a certified personal trainer in private and commercial gym settings, focusing on improving functional movement for special populations such as recreational, competitive, and senior athletes, and individuals with disease.

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Dr. Heather Schuyler, EdD, AT, ATC
Email: hschuyler@adrian.edu
Office: Merillat-163
Office Ext.: 4101

Heather Schuyler came to Adrian College in 2008. She earned her B.S. degree in Athletic Training at Eastern Michigan University. She attended the University of South Florida and then the University of St. Augustine where she earned her M.A. degree in Exercise Science and Ed.D in Education. Prior to coming to Adrian, Heather was an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Tampa where she also taught classes in athletic training. Heather is also a certified massage therapist.

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Prof. Darryl Conway, MS, ATC

Darryl Conway serves as an adjunct professor for our Graduate Athletic Training program specializing in pre-hospital care, emergency and risk management. Darryl’s 30+ years of experience, expertise and creativity provides students with experiences beyond the classroom. He is the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director & Chief Health & Welfare Officer for University of Michigan Athletics, owner of Conway Ventures, LLC, and is Co‐Founder / Partner of Sports Medicine Emergency Management, LLC (SMEM). In addition to being a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Darryl has worked with various SWAT Teams as their Tactical Medic and Athletic Trainer, and as a volunteer EMT. Darryl serves on numerous prominent committees, and was recently named the Chair of the NATA’s Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee (EDAC). He was awarded the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2023, and the Distinguished Athletic Trainer by the Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society (MATS) in 2022. Darryl was also honored as the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2019, and was recognized by the College Athletic Trainers’ Society (CATS) in 2018 with the prestigious Quality of Life Award.

• BA Physical Education Studies and Athletic Training: University of Delaware 1993
• MS Sports Medicine and Sports Management: Adelphi University 1995

Prof. Madeline DeMarco, MPH, CPS

Madeline DeMarco is a Health Promotion Specialist working within Wolverine Wellness at the University of Michigan and focusing on alcohol and other drug prevention and harm reduction. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and Spanish from the University of Michigan, as well as a Master of Public Health degree in Health Behavior and Health Education with a certificate in Public Health Genetics from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Madeline is a Certified Prevention Specialist in addition to being a Mental Health First Aid instructor that has been working in the behavioral health field for 4 years. She has been working in the field of higher education since 2023. Before working at the University of Michigan, Madeline worked as the Community Outreach and Prevention Coordinator for Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority where her focus was on bringing a trauma-informed care approach to facilitating federal grants, collective impact initiatives, and the county-wide substance use prevention coalition. Madeline also has extensive teaching and facilitation experience, serving as an adjunct professor at Adrian College, in addition to instructional experience within the Michigan Marching Band and the University of Michigan Department of Psychology. When she’s not working, Madeline enjoys running every street in Ann Arbor, making pasta sauce, playing Wingspan, performing with the Ann Arbor Community Concert Band, and drywall mudding.

Prof. Karen Liberi, MS, MPT, WCS

Karen Liberi is a Board-Certified Pelvic Health Physical Therapist serving as program contributor to the Adrian College Exercise Science and Athletic Training Master’s program. Karen has been a physical therapist since 1996, graduating from the University of Delaware, and is currently the Rehab Director at NWO Center for Pelvic Rehabilitation and Wellness. She has been an avid cross-discipline educator, making her contributions welcome to our program. As a nationally renowned specialist, Karen’s enthusiastic, easy-going teaching style has allowed the Athletic Training students to learn advanced manual skills and clinical reasoning that are unique to our program.

• B.S. Biomedical Engineering: cum laude Western New England College 1992
• Master’s Degree in Biomechanics: University of Delaware: 1996
• Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy: University of Delaware: 1996
• WCS (women’s health clinical specialist): 2009
• Member: APTA Section of Women’s Health
• Programming Assistant, SOWH 2013 and 2014

Caleb Christie, MS, AT, ATC

Caleb Christie joined the Adrian College athletic training staff in 2020 as an intern before transitioning to an assistant athletic trainer in 2021. Prior to Adrian College, Caleb spent two years at Utah State University as a graduate assistant, where he worked with their football and track & field/cross country teams. Caleb earned his master’s degree in health and human services, with a sports medicine emphasis, from Utah State, following his undergraduate degree in athletic training and exercise science from Saginaw Valley State University.

Jamie Fetter, MS, AT, ATC

Jamie Fetter began as the head athletic trainer at Adrian in 2004. Before coming to Adrian College, Jamie spent seven years at Tiffin University as the head athletic trainer, overseeing all aspects of the athletic training department. Jamie earned his master’s degree from Ohio University in 1997 and his bachelor’s degree from Defiance College in 1996. In addition to heading up athletic medicine at Adrian College, Jamie is a preceptor and an adjunct professor for the department of Exercise Science & Athletic Training. Additionally, Jamie works for the NFL as an AT Spotter. Jamie is married to his wife, Stephanie, and they have three kids, Tyson, Brook and Trenton.

Dr. Aron Gornowicz, DO, FAOASM, OT

Dr. Aron Gornowicz is a dual board-certified physician in family and sports medicine. He completed his residency in family medicine and his fellowship in sports medicine at Garden City Hospital in Garden City, MI. He received his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and his Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. Dr. Gornowicz practices sports medicine, family/general medicine, and osteopathic manipulative treatment.

Jim Nicknair, MS, AT, ATC

Jim Nicknair began at Adrian College in 2013. Jim, a native of Glenburn, Maine, earned his B.S. degree in Athletic Training from The University of Southern Maine in 2011. He went to earn his M.S. degree in Athletic Training from Ohio University in 2013.

Meg Sharp, MS, AT, ATC, CSCS

Meg Sharp joined the Adrian College sports medicine staff in the fall of 2009 as an assistant athletic trainer. Meg was promoted to Associate Athletic Trainer in 2015, when she added responsibilities as the athletic department's Senior Woman Administrator. Previously, she worked for one year at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. Meg completed her master’s degree in exercise science at Middle Tennessee State University and her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Grand Valley State University. Meg resides with her family in Adrian.