MIAMI, Fla. – Thomas' Daniel Parker has been named the 2021-22 Sun Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year the league announced on Friday as voted on by the league's 11 athletic trainers.
 
"The Sun Conference is full of great Athletic Trainers who are truly quality individuals, to be recognized by this group of peers is extremely humbling," Parker said. "Individual accomplishments are never just that. I hope this award shines a light on our staff and the commitment we make to caring for our student-athletes. Our associate athletic trainer, Jazmine Washington, is an integral part of what we do on a daily basis while our assistant athletic trainer, Matt Hershgordon has been a welcomed addition to the staff this year as well. I look forward to maintaining our standard while continuing to grow the department as a team."
 
"Daniel is a worthy recipient of this honor bestowed upon him by his peers." Sun Conference Commissioner Dustin Wilke said. "He displays a steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nighthawk student-athletes and has been a critical component in ensuring our conference consistently maintains a high standard of care."
 
Parker was named TU's head athletic trainer in August 2020, after previously serving as the assistant athletic trainer at Thomas University since fall 2012. During his tenure at Thomas University, Parker helped establish TU as a clinical site for Valdosta State University's athletic training education program. In his role as the clinical education coordinator in this program, the 2021-22 SUN Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year coordinated the weekly schedules, skill assessments and evaluations of the VSU staff while providing instruction and direction to students in their clinical practices.

Parker will be put forward by the league, along with Watson (SUN Athletic Director of the Year) Michelle Murch (SUN Sports Information Director of the Year), in consideration for the respective NAIA National Awards that will be announced in mid-September.
 
2021-2022 Sun Conference Award Winners
 
Daniel Parker (Thomas) – Sun Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year
Michelle Murch (St. Thomas) – Sun Conference Sports Information Director of the Year
Drew Watson (Southeastern) – Sun Conference Athletic Director of the Year
       
 
ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now entering its 33rd year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 20 NAIA sports: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Football, Flag Football, Men's and Women's Golf, Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Men's and Women's Tennis, Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field and Women's Volleyball. Learn more @thesunconference.com