CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Southern Oregon University athletic training staff was recognized as the 2025-26 Cascade Collegiate Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year, announced by the conference office.
The CCC Association of Student Athletes (ASA) representatives voted on the top athletic training staff in the conference, with the Raider staff receiving the honor.
“It is an honor to be named the Cascade Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year,” stated Southern Oregon Assistant Athletic Director for Health & Performance Dr. Ross Dexter. “This conference has some of the finest athletic training staffs in all of small college sports. Winning this award for SOU is a reflection of excellent institutional support across the board, a fantastic staff of athletic trainers, our visiting graduate student clinical education program, collaborative efforts with our Health and Exercise Science department, and superb support from our medical partners.”
“This is outstanding and well deserved,” added SOU Athletic Director Matt Sayre. “Along with our student interns, the group is so conscientious and hard working on behalf of all student-athletes.”
Dr. Ross Dexter joined Southern Oregon University’s sports medicine team in January of 2021 and was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer in April of 2022. He currently serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Health & Performance and works primarily with cross country, basketball, and track & field programs.
Dexter began his career in athletics in 2008 as a coach and sport performance specialist working with youth and secondary school sports. He later worked in collegiate athletics with the University of British Columbia, Florida State University, University of California, Berkeley, and St. Mary’s College of California as a coach and sport performance professional. In 2015, Dexter enrolled in athletic training studies, completing clinical work with the University of Idaho and University of Washington athletic departments. He also spent two years as both the strength and conditioning coach and athletic trainer at Troy Secondary School in Idaho while finishing his doctoral studies in athletic training. Dexter returned to Southern Oregon after serving as the athletic trainer at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon.
Certificates and Licensure:
Oregon Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)
Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education, Southern Oregon University (2006)
Master of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia (2010)
Master of Science in Athletic Training, University of Idaho (2017)
Doctor of Athletic Training, University of Idaho (2019)
Lauren Oxford joined the Southern Oregon University sports medicine team in January 2024 and serves as the Associate Athletic Trainer working primarily with football. Oxford earned her Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University and completed a clinical rotation providing care for women’s soccer and football programs. She later completed a clinical residency at SOU, working primarily with football, basketball, and track & field programs.
Certificates and Licensure:
Oregon Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)
Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Education:
Associate of Science in Biology, Western Nebraska Community College (2017)
Bachelor of Science in Biology, West Virginia University Institute of Technology (2020)
Master of Science in Athletic Training, Northern Arizona University (2023)
Kyler Wilkerson joined the Southern Oregon University sports medicine team in June 2025 after earning his master’s degree in athletic training from Oregon State University. Wilkerson works primarily with volleyball, wrestling, and beach volleyball. During his clinical rotations, he provided care primarily for Oregon State’s football, baseball, soccer, and Western Oregon football programs.
Certificates and Licensure:
Oregon Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)
Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Oregon State University Cascades (2022)
Master of Athletic Training, Oregon State University (2025)
Keenan Lotts joined the Southern Oregon University sports medicine team in January 2026 after earning his Master of Science in Athletic Training from Northern Arizona University. Lotts works primarily with soccer and softball programs. While at NAU, he completed clinical rotations with the cross country, track & field, and women’s soccer teams before completing a year-long rotation at SOU working with volleyball, women’s wrestling, soccer, and basketball programs.
Certificates and Licensure:
Oregon Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)
Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, California State University Monterey Bay (2022)
Master of Science in Athletic Training, Northern Arizona University (2025)
Dr. Michael Paddack serves as the Faculty Athletic Trainer and works primarily with the golf program. Paddack began his career in 1990 at North Coast Sport and Physical Therapy in Eureka, California, working in clinical, high school, and fitness settings. He later worked with the Humboldt Crabs semi-professional baseball team and the Humboldt Eagles all-star baseball team before moving to Mount Shasta Physical Therapy and Wellness Center in 1994.
Paddack became an assistant athletic trainer at College of the Siskiyous in 1997 and was promoted to Head Faculty Athletic Trainer five years later. In 2012, he became the Head Athletic Trainer at Cal State Monterey Bay, overseeing athletic training, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, and medical coordination. He joined Southern Oregon University in 2020 as a tenure-track faculty member in the Health and Exercise Science department.
Certificates and Licensure:
Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Sports Nutrition Specialist (SNS)
First Aid, CPR, AED Instructor (AHSI)
Oregon Licensed Athletic Trainer
Education:
Associate of Science in General Studies, College of the Siskiyous (1986)
Bachelor of Science in Education, Southern Oregon State College (1989)
Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Medicine, Humboldt State University (2003)
Doctor of Science in Clinical and Educational Athletic Training, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (2012)
The year was also highlighted by Oxford being named Preceptor of the Year and visiting clinical student Nicole Peden earning Student of the Year honors from the University of Utah Master of Athletic Training Program.