Brian Razak has been the head athletic trainer at the University of New England for 11 years, part of the 37 he has served collegiate athletics in the position. The South Hutchinson, Kan. native earned degrees from Kansas Wesleyan University and Kansas State University.
What factor(s) made you most want to work at UNE?
It was a confluence of factors. My wife and I had entered our empty nest time in our lives. She wanted away from the environment of our present geography. She requested mountains (Rocky) or water. After two years of searching within such parameters, I came upon a school called the University of New England. Some minimal research showed its location met the second part of the request. I applied, survived a telephone interview, an in-person interview, and, Bob's your uncle, I was offered and I accepted.
What memorable moment(s) at UNE do you recall most often?
Some years ago, I began bringing my office chair to the sidelines of basketball games for my personal use. I also began offering its use to the coaches during timeouts. It was an immediate success. So much so, I also took it on the road. The first time was a women's game at Saint Joseph's. The next day, an athletic staff member that attended the game and had sat near some home fans informed me they were told 'UNE treated their coaches well, offering a chair at timeouts.' A second memory is another women's basketball game. The team was playing at Scranton in a NCAA tournament game. The team had lead from the tip and the student fans situated near our bench were restless. They took their frustration out on me yelling, 'Hey, chair guy and then something derogatory'. Went on until Scranton pulled it out at the end. A third memory is of the time I heard football was coming to UNE. I was gobsmacked. It felt like old home week, returning to my Midwestern roots.
Related to football, a memory I might have made for my own use. It occurred in the first game UNE football ever played. Yes, I am counting games in the pre-varsity year for this memory. One of the quarterbacks was still recovering from a knee surgery from the previous season. He was able to play, just not at top ability yet. My recollection goes this way: I say the play began 40 yards from the goal line. A pass play is called. He could not find a receiver to throw to, so takes off in a scramble. The quarterback ran toward the goal line, somewhat slowly. He was not touched by an opponent. Maybe he had on Harry Potter's invisibility cloak.
Why did you get into the profession and what has kept you in it?
I was a frustrated athlete. Being mostly untalented was a serious drawback. I was the manager for my college's football and men's basketball teams. The football coach was also the instructor of the Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries class. Let's just say a seed was planted.
Who has been a mentor(s) related to the profession?
Professionally, it was the first certified athletic trainer I had an interaction with, Mr. Jim Rudd, in charge of football at Kansas State. He took on an unknowledgeable, though eager, post-graduate and offered a place to grow and develop. My memories now are only of great times.
What activity(s) do you like to do away from campus that helps balance your life?
Read, especially Stephen King. Play Strat-O-Matic baseball, use my meat smoker, and cook.
Catch up on previous spotlights:
Ed Silva, men's basketball
Danielle Collins, field hockey
Curt Smyth, associate director of athletics
Ashley Potvin-Fulford, women's rugby
Kasey Keenan '02, men's golf
Lyndie Kelley '11, strength & conditioning
David Venditti, women's ice hockey
Carly Gettler, women's soccer
Tristan Durgin '07, sports information
Sue Estabrook, women's lacrosse
Rick Hayes, women's swimming
Patty Williams, assistant director of athletics
Peter Ostergaard, men's soccer
Emily Zoltko '17, athletic trainer
Charlie Burch, men's lacrosse
Jasmine Honey, athletic trainer
Dave Ambrose, assistant director of athletics
Kenny Treschitta/Tim Viall, football coordinators
