LOWELL, Mass. – Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance Lainie Williams has announced the addition of Assistant Athletic Trainer Jeanette Welch, as well as the promotion of Christine Muller to Associate Athletic Trainer.

Welch comes to UMass Lowell after most recently serving as an athletic trainer for the cross country/track and field team at Grand Valley State University. Beginning at Grand Valley State University in August of 2024, Welch was responsible for managing and treating various sport-specific conditions, including stress injuries, shins splints, and muscle strains. Along with that, she modified warm-ups, mobility drills and workouts to assist injured athletes, ensuring a safe and gradual progression back to full activity. Not only did Welch treat and help the student-athletes recover, but she educated them on hydration, nutrition, and recovery strategies to enhance their performance and reduce overuse injuries. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Jeanette Welch to the Athletic Healthcare staff," said Williams. "She's a great addition to our group and brings new perspectives and skills from her time at Grand Valley State University." 

Welch previously spent time at John Hopkins University, working with the baseball team during the 2024 season before joining Grand Valley State. Documenting injuries and illnesses, while updating status reports and maintaining communication with the coaches was just some of her duties there. She also conducted regular follow-ups on daily wellness questionnaires, which helped evaluate athletes' motivation, mindset, and overall well-being. 

"I'm very excited to be joining the UMass Lowell Athletics Staff," said Welch. "I'm also looking forward to working with such a great group of student-athletes and coaches."

In the spring of 2023, she worked at Loyola University in Maryland with the men's lacrosse team where she was responsible for assisting the team physician and athletic trainer. Later in the fall of 2023, she worked alongside the football team at Towson University, as she assisted the sports medicine staff with sideline care. 

Welch, a certified athletic trainer with CPR and First Aid certifications, earned her bachelor's degree in exercise science from Shippensburg in 2018 and her master's degree in athletic training from Towson in 2024.

Muller, who has been a part of the UMass Lowell Healthcare Staff since the fall of 2022, has provided care and aid as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the baseball, cross country and women's soccer programs. Her prior experience and knowledge has allowed her to succeed as the primary caretaker for those programs at UMass Lowell, now being promoted to Associate Athletic Trainer in her third year in Lowell. 

"I'm very happy for Christine being promoted to Associate Athletic Trainer," said Williams. "Her commitment, knowledge, and skills help our department continue to grow."

Before joining UMass Lowell Athletics, Muller spent three years as an Athletic Trainer for the USA Luge Jr. National Team, who competes in several countries around Europe during their season. Her experience goes back more than 10 years, as she served as an athletic trainer across various organizations, including the Huntsville Rockets, Sussex County Miners, the Alliance of American Football, as well as filling the role of athletic training seasonal assistant with the Atlanta Falcons. Muller also gained experience in intercollegiate athletics, working as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and adjunct professor at New Mexico Highlands University in 2017.  ​

Muller, a graduate of Radford University, earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training in 2013 and her master's degree in kinesiology in 2017 from Alabama A&M.