Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine and Student-Athlete Wellness Scott Braid Leaves Lasting Impact
SALEM, Mass. -- Dr. Scott Braid, Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine and Student-Athlete Wellness, has announced he will be leaving Salem State after 15 years of service to the athletics program. Braid has accepted an athletic training faculty position at Merrimack College, where he will also serve as healthcare administrator to the athletics department.
"The past 15 years at Salem State University have been an absolute journey," said Dr. Braid. "When I started here, I had no idea how much I would grow to love, and become part of this community. Everyone at SSU, the staff, the students, and the parents, mean so much to me and I am thankful for every minute. Thank you to all the athletics staff for all your support throughout the years.
A special thank you to [Athletic Director] Nicolle Wood for your faith in me and your leadership that has allowed me to grow into the professional that I am today. Thank you to the sports medicine staff (Becca, Morgan, Luz, and Kate) for helping me grow a program to best serve our student-athletes. I leave knowing those athletes are in the best of hands.
To all the athletes, I will miss you dearly. The relationships I have developed along the way are something that I will always treasure. I look forward to supporting you from the stands and not having to restrain myself from celebrating your accomplishments on the field."
Team physician Dr. David St. Pierre, who has provided medical care for Salem State student-athletes for over 35 years added, "It was with mixed emotions that I received the news that our [assistant athletic director] for sports medicine Dr. Braid, has accepted an administrative position at his alma mater Merrimack College. Excellent professionals such as Dr. Braid naturally catch the attention of others, and therefore are often offered positions elsewhere. It is very much deserved on his part, and although we hate to see him go, we certainly understand his option to improve himself professionally, and to better address his other commitment, his growing family, and wish him nothing but success in his new role... "
"Personally, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Scott for all of his 15 years at SSU. I will miss him as a friend, and would like to formally thank him for his years of service to SSU and its athletes, and also his friendship. The SSU athletic training program wishes him nothing, but the best going forward!"
Dr. Braid, who received his Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from Merrimack College in 2007 and his Master of Science in exercise science from Syracuse University in 2009, began as an assistant athletic trainer at Salem State in 2009 before being named head athletic trainer in 2019. He earned a doctoral degree in athletic training from Temple University in 2020 and was promoted to Director of Sports Medicine and Student-Athlete Wellness at the University in 2022.
As director, Dr. Braid transitioned the Salem State athletic training department into the department of sports medicine and instituted student-athlete programs specializing in nutrition, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, and chiropractic and health services. In addition, Dr. Braid was instrumental in developing sports psychology and mental health programs for Salem State student-athletes.
Athletic Director Nicolle Wood expressed her appreciation for Dr. Braid's tireless commitment to directing for the care and treatment of our student-athletes while overseeing the expansion of athletic training into the department of sports medicine. "Dr. Braid has been a transformational leader in our department and his commitment to the care of our student-athletes has been extremely impactful. Scott's clinical expertise is only one part of his legacy; he has helped to grow our ATC services into a full-scale sports medicine department. He is one of our most highly respected staff members across the SSU community, and beloved by our student-athletes. I am so grateful for the time he has spent with us and service to our student-athletes."