As Northwood’s athletic programs continue to grow, the school needs additional support for athletes managing injuries and rehabilitation. Jeremy Marra, a certified athletic trainer based in Lake Placid, recently joined Northwood’s athletic training staff.
Marra primarily works at the rink with Northwood’s hockey teams, but he also assists soccer and skiing athletes. He evaluates injuries, prepares athletes for practices and games and works with those recovering from injuries or surgeries.
“I do a little bit more manual therapy, so I’ll do cupping, instrument work and muscle energy technique—basically just supporting any of the athletes however we see fit,” Marra said.
Marra works closely with Northwood Athletic Trainer Mr. Andy “Donny” Donatello to ensure athletes receive the care they need. Donny joined Northwood in 1997 and has served as the school’s athletic trainer for nearly three decades.
Marra initially assisted Northwood with rink-based needs such as taping athletes. His role later expanded because of his experience with manual therapy and rehabilitation. Marra and Donny communicate daily about athletes and meet each Monday to review schedules and treatment needs.
“I didn’t know whether we needed to hire somebody or whether we could get somebody, but we absolutely struck it rich with him,” Donny said.
According to Donny, having both trainers available also helps Northwood provide an athletic trainer and an emergency medical technician at every home game.
Before joining Northwood, Marra worked as a staff athletic trainer at the University of Michigan, where he gained extensive experience working with collegiate athletes. He is a certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist who has also worked with athletes at the international level.
Marra later moved with his family to the Lake Placid area, where he established his own athletic training business. He now brings that professional experience to Northwood’s student-athletes.
Postgraduate hockey player Hunter Bridges worked with Marra after sustaining a hip flexor injury in August that prevented him from skating. Marra provided rehabilitation exercises and wrapped Bridges’ leg before practices to help support the injured area.
“He helped me get back on the ice pretty quickly by doing some PT stuff at the rink and wrapping my leg before skates so it would help my hip flexor and not overextend it,” Bridges said.
Bridges also received Marra’s assistance during a home game when Donatello was traveling. After Bridges injured his wrist, Marra wrapped it during intermission, allowing him to return to the game.