LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell head athletic trainer
Artie Poitras, M. Ed, LATC, who has worked with River Hawk student-athletes for the past 40 years, announced his retirement earlier this afternoon.
"Fourty years of providing quality service, often behind the scenes, for student-athletes, coaches and teams is an extraordinary achievement," commented Director of Athletics
Peter Casey. "I am deeply grateful for all Artie has done throughout his legendary career. Under Artie's leadership, our department has provided excellent care for our student-athletes. I often hear gratitude for Artie from former athletes as they reflect on their UMass Lowell experiences. Artie deserves the personal and family time that retirement brings, and I wish him and Leslie nothing but the best. I'm confident that thousands of former athletes would join me in expressing thanks for a job well done."
Poitras, who joined the River Hawk training staff in a graduate student capacity in 1981 before becoming full-time two years later, took over as head athletic trainer in the fall of 1999. The Dracut, Mass. native had been responsible for the day-to-day health care needs of the UMass Lowell Hockey and the Cross Country/Track and Field team since the promotion.
His efforts awarded him the 2010 Bill Bulloch Unsung Hero Award from District 1 (Northeast)
from the NATA at the NATA National Meeting in Philadelphia, Pa.
He has worked more games than anyone else in any capacity, witnessing a National Championship,
three Hockey East Tournament Titles and ten NCAA Tournament visits.
Poitras was the longest serving hockey athletic trainer with one team and the second longest serving in the country.
The athletic trainer has worked 1,453 games including 1,386 Division I games.
He missed only one.
Poitras' consecutive games streak has come to an end after reaching 977.
Thank you, Artie.
