HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton Director of Athletics Dr. Matthew Webb announced several important changes to both the administrative and sports medicine teams.
 
Deanna Hand has received a job title change, and will now be Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations, while Austin Walden has been promoted to Head Athletic Trainer.  The Highlanders have also added two staff members to the sports medicine team: former Houghton student-athlete Leslie Moose has been hired as a full-time athletic trainer, and Connor Englert will split time between athletic training duties and as Houghton's first strength & conditioning coach.   
 
Hand has spent the last 20 years serving Houghton athletics as Head Athletic Trainer, and more recently as Associate Athletic Director. She will continue to serve as the department's Senior Woman Administrator and the University's Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She will also continue to oversee the sports medicine team, but will not serve in a day-to-day capacity as an athletic trainer.
 
Dr. Webb commented: "Given Deanna Hand's increased responsibilities within the athletic department, this change in title recognizes the significant leadership role she plays both in our own community with our student athletes and staff, but also within the Empire 8 and NCAA.
 
"Dea is a recognized leader on our campus, in our conference, and also nationally with the NCAA.  She has served as the primary liaison from the Empire 8 to the NCAA in her role as a Sports Medicine expert, and led the way both at the conference and national levels during the COVID pandemic in helping to establish and adopt policies both institutionally as well as at the conference level. 
 
"She now serves nationally with the NCAA Competitive Safeguard and Medical aspects of sport, which was an appointment from the conference level, reflective of her impact and influence in the well-being of our student athletes."
 
Walden joined the Houghton athletic training staff in the summer of 2020.  A former football player at nearby Alfred University, Walden holds multiple degrees and certifications, including his master's degree as a licensed athletic trainer (MS LAT), his athletic training certification (ATC), and most recently became a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
 
Originally from nearby Swain, New York, Moose graduate from Houghton University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in biology.  She went on to earn her master's degree in Athletic Training from Lock Haven University, before accepting an internship at the University at Buffalo working with softball, football, and swimming & diving.  For the past year she has served as the athletic trainer for Canisteo-Greenwood High School, as well as a stint as athletic trainer for the Hornell Steamers (New York Collegiate Baseball League).  She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA).

Englert graduated with a bachelor's degree in athletic training with a minor in exercise science from Alfred University in 2023.  During his time at Alfred, Englert spent four years on the Saxons football team, where he played quarterback, wide receiver, safety, and special teams.  As an athletic training student, he worked with the Saxons, Alfred State Pioneers, and Houghton Highlanders, in an array of teams, such as football, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, track & field, and swimming & diving.  He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
 
Webb stated: "In response to needing to more accurately meet [National Athletic Training Association] NATA recommended [Athletic Trainer] load, we have added a half-time position in athletic training, as well as a long-awaited position with a new Strength and Conditioning coach. 
 
"The new AT team (led by returner and new Head Athletic Trainer, Austin Walden) our AT and [strength & conditioning] staff are off and running, already making a noticeable impact for our student athletes."