ALABAMA A&M ATHLETIC TRAINERS BIOS 2012-2013
Jessie Zucnick:
Jessie Zucnick is entering her second year as Head Athletic Trainer at Alabama A&M University after being promoted to the position in May 2009, but her sixth year overall with the program. Prior to being promoted as Head Athletic Trainer she served as assistant athletic trainer, where Zucnick’s primary sport responsibilities included coverage of the men’s soccer and baseball teams. In addition to her sports coverage she is also the Insurance Coordinator for the Alabama A&M Sport Medicine Department, as well as overseeing the overall direction of the program and supervising Assistant Athletic Trainers, Graduate Assistant and Student Athletic Trainers.
Zucnick graduated from Stetson University in May 2003 with a B.S. in Athletic Training and a minor in Russian Studies. While at Stetson, she gained a majority of her student athletic training experience working with Men's Soccer and Baseball, as well as gaining additional experience with the men's basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, volleyball, crew, and cross country teams. In addition to her athletic training work, Jessie also took a semester to study abroad in Russia.
In the Fall of 2004, Jessie came to Alabama A&M to begin work as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer. She worked primarily with men's soccer, baseball, softball, and women's soccer. In May 2007 she received her M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling.
Jessie is a NATABOC certified athletic trainer and a member of the NATA and SEATA organizations. She is also licensed in the state of Alabama. For all her dedication to the A&M Sports Medicine Department Jessie was awarded the 2007 Employee of the Year award by Huntsville Hospital Sports Center.
In her spare time, the Huntsville resident enjoys Tae kwon do, where she is a second degree black belt, reading, horse back riding, spending times with friends and family, and watching movies. Jessie is engaged to Brian Kimbugwe.
Aisha Russell
Aisha Russell is a second year Graduate Assistant Athletic trainer. Russell attended North Carolina Central University where she received a B.S. in Athletic Training in May 2008. While attending NCCU, Russell served as student athletic training working with football, softball, men’s and women’s basketball as well as working with Duke University athletics.
While at A&M Russell is working toward receiving her master’s degree in Nutrition. She is a member of the NATA and SEATA organizations. Her primary sport responsibilities are Volleyball and Women’s Basketball. Her future goals are to continue to work at Division I college/university level athletics as an athletic trainer.
Aaron Ellis
Aaron Ellis is a second year Graduate Assistant Athletic trainer. Ellis attended North Carolina Central University where he graduated from the Athletic Training Education Program with a B.S. in Athletic Training in May 2008. While attending NCCU, Ellis served as student athletic trainer working with NCCU baseball, men’s and women’s basketball as well as becoming the first athletic training student in the NCCU ATEP program to receive an internship with Duke football, as well as interned in the Duke sports medicine clinic under the watch of Dr. Harry Stafford. Upon Graduation Ellis became the Head Athletic Medicine Coordinator at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City North Carolina. After a year of valuable experience in the field of athletic training Ellis decided to return to school to earn a masters degree.
While at A&M Elis is working toward receiving his master’s degree in Physical Education. His primary sport responsibilities are football and baseball. His future goals are to become a physical education instructor and athletic trainer on the high school level of athletics.
Bryson Moore
Bryson Moore is a first year Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer. Bryson attended Southern Utah University where he received his B.S. in Athletic Training in December 2009. While attending SUU, Bryson served as a student trainer working with all the sports, but primarily with Football, Baseball, Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Basketball.
At Alabama A&M he primarily works with the Football and Men’s Basketball teams. He is currently working on his master’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He is also a member of the National Athletic Trainer Association and Alabama Athletic Trainer Association.
His future goal is to continue to work with Division I athletes as an Athletic Trainer. Bryson is originally from Layton, Utah. He is a cancer survivor of 2 years and has a 6 year-old son, Hunter.
Nicole Walkup
Nicole Walkup is in her first year at Alabama A&M. Nicole graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Athletic Training in May 2010. She is continuing her education in Nutrition and Hospitality Management at Alabama A&M. While at Kansas Wesleyan Nicole worked with men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, football, and high school sports as well.
At Alabama A&M, she primarily works with the football, cross country, and softball teams. She is continuing her education in Nutrition and Hospitality Management.
Nicole is a member of the NATA and was awarded the Athletic Training Student of the Year in 2009-2010 at Kansas Wesleyan. Nicole plans to work at the collegiate level as an athletic trainer once she is done here at Alabama A&M.
