Director
Randy Pridgen MS, LAT, ATC
Pridgen first became involved with the NC Coaches Association Student Trainer Clinic in 1979 when he attended as a student. Over the years, he has served as a counselor, instructor and director while seeing many changes over the years including three name changes and ownership of the clinic. In 1995, the NC Athletic Trainers' Association took over the operation of the symposium and Pridgen was named co-director of the NCATA Sports Medicine Symposium for Students with Mary Broos from 1995-97. In 1998 Pridgen became director and lead the clinic for the NCATA until 2007. In 2008, the NCATA dissolved its association with the symposium and Pridgen became sole proprietor and has served as Director of the NC Sports Medicine Symposium since 2008. Although there have been many changes, one thing has remained consistent; the goal and mission of the symposium is to educate high school students about the profession of athletic training.
Pridgen started his athletic training career as a graduate assistant at Guilford College from 1983-85 working with NCATA Hall of Fame member Broos. In 1985, he landed his first job as a teacher and athletic trainer at Enloe High School in Raleigh. After a three-year stint at Enloe, he transitioned to the college level and started a 22 year career at Barton College, where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in October of 2012. He currently serves as a teacher and athletic trainer at East Wake High School in Wendell. Pridgen received his B.S. degree in Physical Education from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in 1983 and completed his M.S. degree in Health and Physical Education from NC A&T State University in 1986. Pridgen was first certified as an athletic trainer in 1988 and licensed in NC in 1997. Pridgen was inducted into the NC Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame, Class of 21. He resides in Wilson, NC. He has two sons, Bryan and wife Amy, (Raleigh, NC) and Wesley (Savannah, GA), both who are co-founders of the Savannah Stage Company.
