Long-time South Bay athletic trainer Stephen Bartlinski has been named the new Director of Sports Medicine at San Jose State, athletics director Marie Tuite announced.
Bartlinski, who has had stints at Stanford, the San Jose SaberCats and in the private sector, will start in his new role with the Spartans on Oct. 21.
"It's always special when you can hire someone who studied at SJSU and I'm thrilled to have Stephen back in the Spartan family," Tuite said. "He has incredible knowledge and experience in the field of sports medicine and I look forward to him providing leadership to our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Stephen will be a major contributor to our Spartan Balance that benefits each of our student-athletes."
Bartlinski, who attended the San Jose State athletic training program after graduating from Ithaca College, became the head football trainer at Stanford in 2007. He held that role for 11 seasons, developing a reputation as one of the top athletic trainers in the nation.
"San Jose State University is the reason I moved to California in 1994," Bartlinski said. "San Jose is home for me and it is an honor and a privilege for me to come full circle in life and now be a representative of this fine academic institution. I am extremely excited to come back home and join the SJSU athletics family".
He was named the Stanford Football Man of the Year in 2008. Bartlinski was invited to speak at numerous national and international conventions, including a concussion management presentation in Japan, the National Athletic Trainers' Association Clinical Symposia in Indianapolis and the International Kinesiotaping Research Symposium in Orlando. Bartlinski co-authored a chapter in The Sports Medicine Field Guide (Spine Injuries, Cervical Spine Injuries) and in 2012 co-authored, with a team of Stanford physicians, a research paper in the American Journal of Sports Medicine on "Acromioclavicular joint injuries in NCAA football: Data from the 2004 through 2009 NCAA Injury Surveillance System."
He left the Cardinal in 2017 to work in the private sector, heading up the PROTEK sports bracing line for Thuasne USA.
Prior to joining Stanford, Bartlinski worked as the head athletic trainer for the San Jose SaberCats arena league football team from 1997-2006. In addition to his duties with the SaberCats, Bartlinski also served as an athletic trainer and physical therapy assistant for Daniels Therapy Services in Mountain View (2000-06) and with Baysport Physical Therapy in Los Gatos (1995-2000).
Bartlinski has also served on athletic training staffs for numerous local and national events, including the 1996 Summer Olympics, 2016 Super Bowl, San Jose Rock 'N' Roll Marathon, USA MotoGP Red Bull Championships, East-West Shrine Game, Pacific Coast Figure Skating Championships, WWE Monday Night Raw, Central Pacific Figure Skating Championships and the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.
He holds certifications from the APTA, NATA and American Heart Association. He is also certified in orthotics, kinesiotaping and orthopedic bracing.
Bartlinski, his wife Andrea and two children live in San Jose. He is active in the Willow Glen community, volunteering at Willow Glen High School and serving on the board of directors for the Willow Glen Little League.
Bartlinski, who has had stints at Stanford, the San Jose SaberCats and in the private sector, will start in his new role with the Spartans on Oct. 21.
"It's always special when you can hire someone who studied at SJSU and I'm thrilled to have Stephen back in the Spartan family," Tuite said. "He has incredible knowledge and experience in the field of sports medicine and I look forward to him providing leadership to our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Stephen will be a major contributor to our Spartan Balance that benefits each of our student-athletes."
Bartlinski, who attended the San Jose State athletic training program after graduating from Ithaca College, became the head football trainer at Stanford in 2007. He held that role for 11 seasons, developing a reputation as one of the top athletic trainers in the nation.
"San Jose State University is the reason I moved to California in 1994," Bartlinski said. "San Jose is home for me and it is an honor and a privilege for me to come full circle in life and now be a representative of this fine academic institution. I am extremely excited to come back home and join the SJSU athletics family".
He was named the Stanford Football Man of the Year in 2008. Bartlinski was invited to speak at numerous national and international conventions, including a concussion management presentation in Japan, the National Athletic Trainers' Association Clinical Symposia in Indianapolis and the International Kinesiotaping Research Symposium in Orlando. Bartlinski co-authored a chapter in The Sports Medicine Field Guide (Spine Injuries, Cervical Spine Injuries) and in 2012 co-authored, with a team of Stanford physicians, a research paper in the American Journal of Sports Medicine on "Acromioclavicular joint injuries in NCAA football: Data from the 2004 through 2009 NCAA Injury Surveillance System."
He left the Cardinal in 2017 to work in the private sector, heading up the PROTEK sports bracing line for Thuasne USA.
Prior to joining Stanford, Bartlinski worked as the head athletic trainer for the San Jose SaberCats arena league football team from 1997-2006. In addition to his duties with the SaberCats, Bartlinski also served as an athletic trainer and physical therapy assistant for Daniels Therapy Services in Mountain View (2000-06) and with Baysport Physical Therapy in Los Gatos (1995-2000).
Bartlinski has also served on athletic training staffs for numerous local and national events, including the 1996 Summer Olympics, 2016 Super Bowl, San Jose Rock 'N' Roll Marathon, USA MotoGP Red Bull Championships, East-West Shrine Game, Pacific Coast Figure Skating Championships, WWE Monday Night Raw, Central Pacific Figure Skating Championships and the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.
He holds certifications from the APTA, NATA and American Heart Association. He is also certified in orthotics, kinesiotaping and orthopedic bracing.
Bartlinski, his wife Andrea and two children live in San Jose. He is active in the Willow Glen community, volunteering at Willow Glen High School and serving on the board of directors for the Willow Glen Little League.