The Athletic Training department at Culver-Stockton College has undergone major transformation in the past two decades and at the center of that change is longtime athletic trainer Dana Hoffman.
Hoffman first joined the college in 2008, the same year the Herington Center opened its doors, marking a new era for Wildcat athletics. Her first stint lasted until 2012, after which she stepped away for three years. But her commitment to Culver-Stockton’s athletes never wavered. In 2021, she returned to campus, once again serving those who needed her most this time in an even more expansive role.
What began as a part-time position working with women’s volleyball and softball, and managing responsibilities as a lab coordinator eventually evolved into a full-time role that now includes coverage for men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and the full track and field program. Hoffman’s journey mirrors the department’s evolution from modest beginnings to a comprehensive athletic training operation.
In the early days, facilities like the Mabee Center featured courts, and the ARC short for Athletic and Recreation Center was primarily a cardio and free weights space. Now, with the addition of the state-of-the-art Mabee and growing programs in baseball, softball, and more, the needs of the athletic training department have expanded dramatically.
Through it all, Hoffman remained a steady presence. Her ability to adapt to the changing demands of Culver-Stockton athletics has made her a valued figure among student-athletes and coaches alike.
“I’m here for the athletes,” Hoffman says, a simple yet powerful reflection of her mission. In many ways, the growth of the athletic training department has been built around that very idea; supporting the student-athletes with the care, professionalism, and passion they deserve.
As Culver-Stockton continues to build its athletic programs, one thing is certain: Hoffman’s role and the department she’s helped shape will continue to be a vital part of that success.
