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CONTRIBUTED BY KING UNIVERSITY

BRISTOL – King University director of athletics David Hicks announced 2013 King alumna Mikki Oliver as the next head athletic trainer, effective June 1. Oliver replaces Shelia Crockett, who departed King after 17 years for a position at her alma mater. 

“Mikki has a tremendous knowledge of athletic training, and has gained valuable experience the past four years,” said Hicks. “She’s had the benefit of learning from Shelia, both about the medical aspects of athletic training and the administrative aspects. Mikki is ready and capable to lead our staff and serve our student-athletes.”

Oliver returned to her alma mater in the fall of 2016 as an assistant athletic trainer, providing coverage for women’s and men’s volleyball, cross country and track & field.  

She also served as a preceptor to the King athletic training students as well as assisting with all of King’s 27 intercollegiate sports. Prior to 2019, Oliver was promoted to associate athletic trainer, helping Crockett with numerous administrative duties.

“I am very blessed and honored for this opportunity and excited to be the next head athletic trainer at King University,” Oliver said. “I am grateful to Shelia Crockett, David Hicks, and the coaching staff for their faith and confidence in me and giving me this opportunity.

“Shelia was here for 17 years and I was lucky enough to not only work with her for the past four years but also as a former student-athlete who was able to learn from her.

“Through her hard work and being the school’s first athletic trainer, she has laid a solid foundation that my staff and I will continue to build upon.”

Earlier this spring, Hicks announced the “SafeStart” task force that Oliver currently chairs as King prepares for student-athletes to return to campus amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The task force is comprised of Oliver and five Tornado coaches as they will help guide King into the return of students to campus.

Following her graduation from King, Oliver served as an assistant athletic trainer at Virginia Intermont College where she covered all of their sports during the 2013-14 season.

She then served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) for two years. Over that time, Oliver was the primary athletic trainer for the softball team while assisting with the women’s basketball, track & field, and football programs.

“I have a strong staff this year who are passionate about the profession and strive to put the student-athletes and their care as a priority,” Oliver continued. “I look forward to continuing to advance and advocating for the sports medicine program with the continued support from the administration, coaches, and staff.”

Oliver graduated magna cum laude from King in 2013 with her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training with a minor in Coaching. While at King, Oliver was a member of the women’s basketball team, playing for current head coach Josh Thompson in her final two years.

She then earned her Master of Arts in Kinesiology & Sports Studies with a Sport Management Concentration from East Tennessee State University in 2016.