Nathan Wilder, who spent the last two years as head football athletic trainer at Samford University, has been named Associate Athletic Trainer at Towson University, Assistant Director of Athletics for Sport Performance James Shipp announced.

In his role as Associate Athletic Trainer, Wilder will function as the Head Football Athletic Trainer by coordinating the medical care and providing athletic training services to the University's football student-athletes.

"I am thrilled that Nathan has accepted our invitation to join our program," said Shipp. "I have known Nathan for a couple of years and am excited by his passion, expertise, and commitment to excellence in athletic training and sports performance. He will greatly enhance the competitiveness of our program because of the service he will provide to our student-athletes."

Wilder joins the Tigers from Samford University in Birmingham, AL where he had served as the Head Football Athletic Trainer since 2009. While at Samford, Wilder was responsible for the prevention, management, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for all of Samford's football student-athletes.  Wilder arrived at Samford from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pa., where he served as the head athletic trainer from 2004 until coming to Samford in August, 2009. While at Waynesburg, Wilder supervised medical coverage for all 18 teams, and he served as the athletic trainer for the football, wrestling and track and field teams. He was also an instructor of various courses and an approved clinical instructor in the CAATE accredited program at Waynesburg.

Prior to his time at Waynesburg, Wilder was an assistant professor/assistant athletic trainer at Southern Connecticut State University, spent one year working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League, and worked as a graduate assistant at Ohio University.  He has worked at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Center for Sports Medicine

Wilder holds credentials as a certified athletic trainer and as a strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and National Strength and Conditioning Association. 

Wilder, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., graduated suma cum laude from Waynesburg University in 1996. After graduating from Waynesburg, Wilder attended graduate school and worked at Ohio University.

Wilder and his wife, Nicole, have one son, Brady (3) and are expecting a second child in July.