BOSTON – Emmanuel College Director of Athletics Olivia Berry announced Thursday afternoon the appointment of Kimberley Firth to the position of Director of Sports Medicine, effective immediately. Firth has most recently been the Head Athletic Trainer at Everett High School over the last three years and served as the Director of Sports Medicine for the Massachusetts Pirates Professional Indoor Football team this past season.

While at Everett, Firth oversaw the 40 athletic programs offered to Crimson Tide students, ranging from high-impact sports like football and ice hockey to low-impact sports like golf. She adds experience in the evaluation of injuries, development of treatment strategies, and implementation of therapeutics, among numerous other experiences pertaining to the field of athletic training.

With the Massachusetts Pirates, Firth worked with 28 Professional Indoor Football League players, all who previously played at Division I institutions before making their way to the Pirates. Among her responsibilities, Firth developed training programs to improve athletic performance, planned and implemented injury and illness prevention programs, and collaborated with local physicians, among other responsibilities.

"Kim's wealth of knowledge and experience are the perfect combination to lead our Sports Medicine department," said Berry. "With her professional stops at all levels of sport, along with her commitment to student-athlete health and wellness, Kim is the perfect fit for Emmanuel's Director of Sports Medicine."

Firth's experience at the NCAA level stretches across the country, starting her journey in 2017 at Franklin College, working with football and women's lacrosse. Followed by a stop at the University of Idaho in 2018, working with football, rugby, and women's soccer. And ending with three years at Skagit Valley College as their Head Athletic Trainer, before going to Everett High in 2021.

"I'm excited about building a team of athletic trainers who share the same vision and goals, enabling us to effectively implement best practices to support all student-athletes and staff at Emmanuel College," said Firth. "I look forward to expanding the department and developing every aspect of our sports medicine and performance program. I'm grateful to [Director of Athletics] Olivia Berry and the search committee for this opportunity to continue growing in my field and to support as many people as possible along the way."

Firth has her bachelor's degree from Brewton Parker College and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Idaho. In addition, Firth is Board of Certification for Athletic Training (BOCAT) certified, a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, and CPR/AED certified, along with numerous other professional certifications.