Eric Bridenbaugh serves as the Director of Athletic Training Services and has been a member of the Rutgers athletic training staff since 1992. He is in his 13th season as the head athletic trainer for the men’s basketball program. A 1991 graduate of Rutgers’ Cook College, Bridenbaugh has a degree in Exercise Science and Sports Studies. He received his Master of Science in Athletic Training in 1992.
In addition to his responsibilities with the basketball team, Bridenbaugh has served as the assistant athletic trainer with the Scarlet Knight football team, head athletic trainer with the men’s soccer and wrestling teams and serves as a part-time professor in the Exercise Science and Sports Studies Department. He and his wife Jennifer live in Flemington with their daughter Melissa (13) and sons Joshua (11) and Jared (8).
Headed by Dr. Robert Monaco, the RU sports medicine staff consists of 11 full-time certified athletic trainers, one certified intern athletic trainer, and several student athletic trainers. In addition, the staff is assisted by orthopedic consultants, dentists, as well as many other medical consultants, from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the community.
Treatment and rehabilitation are done in one of three separate athletic training rooms where the latest modalities for electrical stimulation and progressive resistance training are available. Computerized testing, many forms of aerobic conditioning apparatuses, an x-ray / procedure room and the Hale Center “wet room” that includes a hot tub, cold tub and Hydroworks underwater treadmill are available so that the sports medicine staff can tailor a specific program of rehabilitation for each individual. With tireless work and cooperation between coaches, strength staff, consultants and sports medicine staff, RU student-athletes receive professional attention around the clock. These health care providers work year round to enable the athletes to return to their full potential with minimal chance of re-injury. The Rutgers sports medicine staff provides the full-range of medical care for all the athletes’ needs, from their first pre-participation physical examination to the follow-up for post-operative care.
Dr. Monaco serves as assistant athletic director/director of sports medicine at Rutgers. He is in his 15th year at Rutgers after completing a year’s fellowship in primary care-sports medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey as well as the Hospital for Special Surgery (of Cornell University). Rutgers Athletics is continuing its long-standing relationship with University Orthopedic Associates, one of the leading orthopedic groups in the state. Dr. Timothy Hosea, Dr. Michael Coyle, and Dr. Charles Gatt serve as team orthopedists and consultants to the program.
The State University has its own Sports Psychology Program, mandatory for all intercollegiate athletes. The program is headed by Dr. Charles Maher (Sports Psychology Consultant), Dr. Brian Maher (Sport Psychologist / Intervention Specialist), and associate professor Dr. Robert Pandina (Scientific Director of the Center for Alcohol Studies). The Sports Psychology Program provides a range of services from performance enhancement, counseling, alcohol and drug education, and working with learning disabled athletes.
