GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Athletics has promoted Rob MacFarlane to Head Athletic Trainer and leader of the Mines Sports Medicine department.
 
"Rob's work as an assistant athletic trainer at Mines over the past four years made this promotion an easy decision," Mines Director of Athletics David Hansburg said. "He has exceptional experience and credentials, and a talented team around him. I have no doubt that Rob and the sports medicine staff will continue delivering outstanding care to our teams here at Mines."
 
MacFarlane takes the reins after working as an assistant athletic trainer at Mines since the fall of 2021. For the last four years, he has worked primarily with the Orediggers' men's soccer and baseball teams while assisting with Mines' 16 other varsity programs. In his new role, MacFarlane will be the primary athletic trainer for the football and baseball teams. He will also work with the sprinters and middle-distance athletes on the Oredigger track & field team. MacFarlane assumes the head responsibilities from Meghan Powell who was the head athletic trainer since the fall of 2023 but departed for a role at NCAA Division I Wyoming earlier this summer. With Powell's departure and MacFarlane's promotion, Mines is conducting a national search for an assistant athletic trainer. Those interested in the position can apply HERE.
 
"I am grateful to David Hansburg for the opportunity to lead our sports medicine team here at Mines," MacFarlane said. "We have an outstanding, experienced staff and I'm excited for us to continue providing a high level of care for our Oredigger student-athletes. I'd also encourage anyone who's interested to consider joining our team."
 
Prior to Mines, MacFarlane was a certified athletic trainer at The Point Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic in Greeley, Colo. While there, the Illinois native provided athletic training services to University High School while providing education to athletes, athletic department staff, coaches and parents on COVID-19 procedures. He also conducted ergonomic screens and drug screening for potential employees hired by various companies across Colorado. Before arriving in Colorado, MacFarlane worked nearly two years as a certified athletic trainer at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. He also provided similar services during the summer at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Additionally, while pursuing his college education and athletic training certification, MacFarlane worked as a teaching assistant at Illinois State and served as an intern at Troy University in Alabama. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Illinois State and graduated cum laude while also collecting multiple professional certifications.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines baseball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @OrediggersBSB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.