TEAM PHOTO

football support

ASHLEY GINGRICH

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR FEMALE SPORTS

Anative of Richmond, VA, Ashley Gingrich spent 10 years as a middle school Latin teacher in both Northern Virginia and Richmond before transitioning to Trinity Episcopal School, a co-educational, college preparatory school in Richmond, where she taught Latin and public speaking for five years. She also served as faculty development coordinator, new teacher mentor, and VAIS annual conference chairwoman. While at Trinity Episcopal, Gingrich spent eight seasons coaching the boys’ and girls’ swim programs, where she led the boys’ team to back-to-back state championships in 2015 and 2016. She also coordinated and directed both the 2014 and 2015 VISAA Swimming & Diving State Championship meets. In addition to teaching and coaching, Gingrich has worked in several athletic and educational arenas including operations, event management, admissions, athlete services, and student–athlete mentoring at the collegiate level. Most recently, she was the operations manager and admissions coordinator for an educational coaching organization in Arlington, VA. Gingrich earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin and secondary education from Randolph-Macon College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from George Mason University, and a master’s degree in sports leadership from Northeastern University.

MATT SMITH

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

Coach Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in fitness sports management from the University of the Cumberlands, as well as a master’s degree in sport and health science from Life University. He is a certified USA Track and Field coach, as well as an EXOS-certified performance specialist. Smith previously worked at IMG Academy, where he worked with several MLB players, including Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Starlin Castro, and NFL players, including Tim Tebow, Randall Cobb, Eddie Lacy and Eric Reid. Smith also studied under worldclass speed coach Loren Seagrave and worked with gold medalists LaShawn Merrit and Demetrius Pinder.

MIKE WALKER

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

Alocal native, Mike Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Maryland in 1998. While working on his degree, he interned with the university’s sports medicine department, providing medical care and coverage for several of the Terrapins’ athletic teams. Walker went on to earn a master’s degree in health and education in 2000 from Frostburg State University. He later earned his certifications as an athletic trainer (ATC) in 1999 and as a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) in 2000. He holds memberships in good standing with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. St. John’s head athletic trainer since 2002, Walker is a sitting committee member for the District of Columbia Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (DCSMAC) and the governmental affairs council representative for the District of Columbia Athletic Trainers’ Association (DCATA). He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing and listening to music, and running in Rock Creek Park.

KARA TRIBBIE

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

Kara has worked as an athletic trainer in the secondary school setting for the past three years. Prior to joining the St. John’s community, she served as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA. Kara earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech, where she earned a varsity letter in sports medicine for her work with the football program. She earned her master’s degree in Athletic Training from Boston University after completing several clinical rotations in NCAA Division I Athletics, including BU Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s Ice Hockey, Dance, and Swim & Dive. Kara also served as an intern with the football and volleyball programs at The University of Arizona and the Fairfax County Police Department.

2002 CADETS