St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Announces Athletic Training Staff Updates
6/22/2023 2:44:00 PM | General
Jill Christensen elevated to executive staff while Bernard Smack joins the Red Storm training staff
QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's Athletic Department has announced the recent promotion of Jill Christensen to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Wellness and has added Bernard Smack to the athletic training staff on Thursday.
"Jill's promotion to an executive level position is not just about climbing the ladder of success, it's about uplifting others on the journey," St. John's Director of Athletics Mike Cragg said. "Her dedication, leadership, and passion for the well-being of student-athletes have been a driving force in our department. This is a great day for all of St. John's Athletics and marks the continued focus and commitment to the Holistic Student-Athlete Model we have incorporated into our athletics administration's purpose."
Boasting over 30 years of experience with the Red Storm, Christensen has been a staple in the training room for all 17 athletic teams at St. John's since her return prior to the 2013-14 academic year. Starting her first go-around in 1989 and briefly stepping away from the industry after 21 years, she quickly moved through the ranks upon her return, going from Senior Associate Athletic Trainer to her most recent elevation as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine in November 2020.
Christensen's promotion will be a new addition to the executive staff, as it is designed to prioritize student-athlete well-being and promote a healthy and supportive athletic department culture. Her responsibilities include the oversight of health and wellness programming, mental health support services, and injury prevention and treatment programs for St. John's 300-plus student-athletes.
Smack has been named Assistant Athletic Trainer and will work directly with the St. John's men's basketball program. Previously, the Philadelphia native spent one season with Head Coach Rick Pitino and his staff at Iona University. During his time in New Rochelle, Smack was part of the Gaels' 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship run and appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to Iona, Smack held full-time athletic training positions at Harcum College and Albright College where he worked with the men's basketball programs at both institutions. Before his time working in collegiate athletics, Smack held various internships with the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Florida International University and Shippensburg University while also spending his clinical rotation with the University of Miami and Lock Haven University.
The former Division II football standout graduated with a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Lock Haven in 2016. Smack earned his master's degree in performance enhancement & injury prevention from California University of Pennsylvania in 2018.
"Jill's promotion to an executive level position is not just about climbing the ladder of success, it's about uplifting others on the journey," St. John's Director of Athletics Mike Cragg said. "Her dedication, leadership, and passion for the well-being of student-athletes have been a driving force in our department. This is a great day for all of St. John's Athletics and marks the continued focus and commitment to the Holistic Student-Athlete Model we have incorporated into our athletics administration's purpose."
Boasting over 30 years of experience with the Red Storm, Christensen has been a staple in the training room for all 17 athletic teams at St. John's since her return prior to the 2013-14 academic year. Starting her first go-around in 1989 and briefly stepping away from the industry after 21 years, she quickly moved through the ranks upon her return, going from Senior Associate Athletic Trainer to her most recent elevation as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine in November 2020.
Christensen's promotion will be a new addition to the executive staff, as it is designed to prioritize student-athlete well-being and promote a healthy and supportive athletic department culture. Her responsibilities include the oversight of health and wellness programming, mental health support services, and injury prevention and treatment programs for St. John's 300-plus student-athletes.
Smack has been named Assistant Athletic Trainer and will work directly with the St. John's men's basketball program. Previously, the Philadelphia native spent one season with Head Coach Rick Pitino and his staff at Iona University. During his time in New Rochelle, Smack was part of the Gaels' 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship run and appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to Iona, Smack held full-time athletic training positions at Harcum College and Albright College where he worked with the men's basketball programs at both institutions. Before his time working in collegiate athletics, Smack held various internships with the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Florida International University and Shippensburg University while also spending his clinical rotation with the University of Miami and Lock Haven University.
The former Division II football standout graduated with a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Lock Haven in 2016. Smack earned his master's degree in performance enhancement & injury prevention from California University of Pennsylvania in 2018.
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