TOWSON, Md. – Continued a ground-breaking career, Ariko Iso has been named as the head athletic trainer for the football program at Towson University. The announcement was made by Nathan Wilder, associate athletic director, sports medicine and performance.
 
"Ariko brings a great deal of experience to our staff," said Wilder. "Her experience in the NFL and Division I football will allow her to make an immediate impact and increase the overall health care to Towson University football student-athletes. Ariko is a genuine person who is passionate and extremely hard working. I look forward to working alongside her in the years to come.
 
Acknowledged as the first full-time female athletic trainer in the NFL, Iso comes to Towson from her alma mater, San Jose State University.
 
"I am excited to join the Towson University Sports Medicine," said Iso. "I like to learn daily from my colleagues, team physicians and medical professionals and contribute however the University can utilize my experience. Under Director of Sports Performance Nathan Wilder's guidance, Towson goes above and beyond to care for young student-athletes and provide the best medical care possible.  I am very impressed with what is going on at Towson. I feel honored to be able to serve with the Towson Tigers."
 
Iso joined the San Jose State University staff as an assistant athletic trainer in August 2017. Her primary responsibilities are to the men's basketball and cheerleading programs.
 
A 1995 San Jose State University graduate through the master's program in human performance, Iso is acknowledged as the first female full-time athletic trainer in the National Football League. During the 2002 through 2010 seasons, she was an assistant athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers and part of the team's Super Bowl XL and XLIII winning seasons.

Iso returned to San Jose State after six years as the football head athletic trainer at Oregon State University. At the collegiate level, she has experiences with Foothill College and Portland State University.

In addition, her collegiate and NFL positions, she was the head athletic trainer at the World U21 Track Championships, the World Cross Country Championships, the Yokohama International Ekiden and the East-West Shrine Football Game.

She is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and is a member of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society.

- TowsonTigers.com –