Dustin Gatens returns to NSU to serve as the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine in 2021. In his current role Gatens supervises a staff of 6 athletic trainers and is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the Sports Medicine Program. Currently Gatens works with the Men’s Soccer and Women’s Tennis teams.

Previously Gatens was at NSU from 2006-2017 serving as the athletic trainer for softball and women’ soccer. In the fall of 2013 Gatens was promoted to the position of Head Athletic Trainer-Research & Development which redirected his role to oversee the health care of the NSU Men’s Basketball team as well as spearheading research efforts for the NSU Sports Medicine Team. His efforts saw the institution of a sleep education program available for all NSU student-athletes and the publication of several peer-reviewed journal articles focusing on movement strategies and injury prevention in the NSU student-athlete population.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Gatens plays an active role in public service within the athletic training profession, serving as the Southern 1 Regional Representative for the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida, having been awarded both the ATAF Service Award and the President’s Award in 2019.

Prior to his initial time at NSU, Gatens was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Bay Point Schools in 2004 and for Hallandale High School from 2005-06. Gatens has also served as a certified athletic trainer for the Sunshine State Games, USTA Junior Orange Bowl tennis tournament, and Master’s Level Basketball Tournaments.

Gatens is M1 Graston Technique certified, FMS-Level 1 certified, and SFMA certified.

A 2004 graduate of Temple University with a degree in kinesiology, Gatens received his master’s degree from Florida International University in 2006. Hailing from Southern New Jersey, Gatens now lives in Fort Lauderdale with his wife Amy, twin sons Miles and Chase, and daughter Lily.