LAKEWOOD, CO- The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) announced the winner of the 2024-25 Wayne Barger Athletic Trainer of the Year Award on Monday, and for his tireless and excellent efforts for all student athletes at CCU, Head Athletic Trainer Blake Pollema has earned the impressive distinction. 

"What an honor it is to be acknowledged by my RMAC peers who truly understand the expectations of a Division II Athletic Trainer. We cannot always be everything that each of our athletes might need or expect today, but my peers and I will continue to work together and show up to affect change and take care of as many people as possible. I sincerely love this profession and job for the people I get to pursue excellence alongside of, and Lord willing I can impact them as much as they impact me," said Pollema. 

The Wayne Barger Athletic Trainer of the Year award was established in 2017-18 and recognizes former Fort Lewis College Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Sports Medicine, Wayne Barger. Recipients of this honor demonstrate commitment to ideals set forth by the RMAC and member institutions. They act ethically to ensure proper health and safety for the student-athletes under their care. Each head athletic trainer from around the league submits one vote for this award and is not permitted to vote for themselves. 

Blake has been the Head Athletic Trainer at Colorado Christian for six years now, serving all 15 collegiate sports that the Cougars compete in. This season, Pollema was the main AT for women's soccer, indoor track & field, men's and women's golf and baseball. Blake has a strong passion for serving student-athletes and is always there to help them recover from injury and get back on the field stronger than before. With the growing demands of college athletics, Pollema has led his staff that includes two other ATs to constantly evolve and find ways to best serve every athlete that comes through the training room. The Athletic Trainers throughout the conference have seen his excellent efforts and voted him as the AT of the Year, a prestigious honor for an often thankless job. 

Colorado Christian Athletics is deeply grateful for the work that Blake does every single day, putting in countless hours in the training room, on the road and at practices to ensure that each and every athlete receives the best care possible. 

Congratulations to Blake Pollema on being named the Wayne Barger Athletic Trainer of the Year!