PEORIA, Ill. - Chris Williams, who boasts athletic training experience at both the NCAA Division I and professional sports levels, has been hired as the head athletic trainer at Bradley University, according to an announcement today by Bradley Director of Athletics Dr. Michael Cross.

"Throughout Chris Williams' career, he has been associated with programs that compete at the highest levels of college and professional sports and have consistently won championships," said Cross.  "His arrival at Bradley will continue a history of first-rate medical care, consistently reinforce the Bradley Athletics mission, values and culture and provide leadership for our athletic training staff.

"I know that our student-athletes' welfare will be enhanced by Chris and that our coaches will trust his judgment and medical knowledge as he works with our entire staff in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries," Cross added.

"Chris will be able to relate well with the student-athletes as well as coaches and administration and enhance the quality of care our athletes receive," said Dr. Jessica Higgs, Bradley University Director of Health Services.  "His previous positions have allowed him to gain significant experience in a relatively short amount of time.  I believe this will help him lead our athletic training room."

Williams comes to Bradley from Florida State University, where he served as an assistant athletic trainer since May 2010 and worked directly with the Seminoles football program.  Prior to his time at Florida State, Williams was an assistant athletic trainer at Kent State University during the 2009-10 season, working directly with Geno Ford's Mid-American Conference championship team, as well as the wrestling and cheerleading squads.

"I am very excited to be the head athletic trainer at Bradley University," said Williams.  "I would especially like to thank Dr. Michael Cross, President Joanne Glasser, Dr. Jessica Higgs and Coach Geno Ford for everything that they have done throughout the hiring process.  I will do everything in my power to make sure that the Bradley University student-athletes receive the highest level of medical care possible."

Williams earned his master's degree in adult and higher education from North Carolina State University in 2008, where he also served as a graduate assistant on the athletic training staff from 2006-08.  He received his bachelor's degree in athletic training from The Ohio State University in 2006 and was a student trainer on the Buckeyes sports medicine staff from 2002-06, working with football, men's volleyball, men's ice hockey and aquatic sports teams.

In addition to his work at the collegiate level, Williams was an NFL Summer Intern for the New England Patriots in 2005 and completed a year-long internship with the Patriots from May 2008-June 2009.

Williams officially will begin his duties at Bradley April 16 and will work directly with the Bradley men's basketball program, while supervising a staff of four full-time assistant athletic trainers.