Collins has been the Athletic Trainer at UE since 1987
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Since 1987, Terry Collins has served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the University of Evansville Athletics. He recently announced his retirement and his final day with the Purple Aces is set for August 12.
The University of Evansville will hold a reception honoring Collins on Wednesday, August 7 from 4-6 p.m. Accelerated Growth Capital, located at 508 Main Street, Suite A in Evansville will host the event.
“Terry’s leadership has led to Sports Medicine at UE being one of our greatest strengths. Terry has made a difference in the lives of so many. This includes thousands of student-athletes. He has impacted so many aspiring Certified Athletic Trainers who have gone on to have impactful careers,” UE Director of Athletics Dr. Ziggy Siegfried exclaimed. “On behalf of all Purple Aces, I want to thank Terry for his servant leadership and dedication for 37+ years.”
In culmination with the retirement celebration, UE has announced the creation of the Terry Collins Sports Medicine Excellence Fund. The fund will be a permanent way to honor Collins for his service to the university and will assist the Athletic Training staff in multiple ways including:
- Ongoing completion of CEUs for certified athletic trainers assigned to the Purple Aces 17 intercollegiate sports
- Commitment to engaging in new methods for injury prevention and rehabilitation from injury
- Assurance of the quality of care provided to UE’s 250+ student-athletes for all aspects of sports medicine
Collins graduated from UE in 1982 where he was a pitcher for the Aces baseball team. After receiving his master’s degree from Indiana State University, Collins spent three seasons as the head trainer at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.
He returned to his alma mater in 1987 and has been the head athletic trainer since that time. Collins directs the Athletic Training Staff in injury prevention, care of injuries and rehabilitation. Aside from that, he has worked as a Clinical Preceptor and instructor in the Athletic Training Education Program in UE’s Department of Exercise Science.
Close to 200 former athletic training students at UE have become Certified Athletic Trainers after working and studying with Collins and his staff. Collins was the recipient of the Jim Byers Award at the 2024 ACESPYs. The award is presented annually to the staff member who exemplifies the characteristics of former UE Athletics Director Jim Byers.
