North Central University Athletics

Tom Smith is now in his 9th year as North Central University's Head Athletic Trainer. 

Dr. Tom Smith (DHSc, LAT, ATC, PES, CES & CSCS) was assigned to North Central University as a part of the University's partnership with Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine in August of 2017. Dr. Smith is entering his eighth year as the Head Athletic Trainer for all 14 NCAA DIII varsity sports at North Central University. Dr. Smith also serves as the Healthcare Administrator for NCU.  

Dr. Smith is a 1988 graduate of the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. In 1991, he received his Master's Degree in Sports Medicine from the United States Sports Academy, and in 2013 received his Doctorate of Health Science degree from A.T. Still University, doing his research on the jaw joint concussion.
 
Dr. Smith has over 30 years of experience in the field of athletic training, with 28 years of working in professional sports, primarily in professional basketball as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Orlando Magic, which included a run to the 2009 NBA Finals. He has served as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Atlanta Hawks & Minnesota Timberwolves, as well as three years as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Rapid City Thrillers of the CBA. Dr. Smith currently serves on the medical staff for USA Basketball and is part of the Minnesota Vikings game day staff, where he is assigned to the visiting NFL teams.  Before taking the job with Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, Dr. Smith was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Minnesota United FC. He also spent one year in professional hockey with the MN Moose of the IHL, the Tampa Bay Storm, and with the USTA.

Prior to taking the position at NCU, Dr. Smith worked as a Clinical Athletic Trainer at Mayo Clinic Square, specializing in regenerative medicine as he worked alongside NCU's team physicians, Dr. Jeffery Payne and Dr. Jon Finnoff.