Why Athletic Trainers Are the Hub of Dartmouth’s Peak Performance Model

When a student-athlete sustains a concussion at Dartmouth College, the response extends far beyond symptom monitoring. Athletic Trainers immediately activate a coordinated system designed to support the athlete’s academic, physical, and mental well-being—demonstrating how integrated care can elevate outcomes across an entire athletics department.

That system is Dartmouth Peak Performance, or DP2, a 31-person multidisciplinary team that operates behind the scenes of every Big Green program.

When an injury occurs, Athletic Trainers notify academic support staff to arrange testing accommodations, mental performance coaches reach out proactively, and nutritionists adjust fueling plans, particularly during travel-heavy competition periods.

“There are just so many resources, and it’s very accessible to use at any time, always right at your fingertips,” said women’s hockey player Maura Fiorenza ’26.

Executive Associate Athletics Director Austin Driggers, who joined Dartmouth in February 2024 to lead the program, emphasized that Athletic Trainers serve as the foundation of this holistic approach.

“Our athletic trainers work with all of our teams,” Driggers said. “Among varsity student-athletes, that number is basically 100% because of sports medicine and strength and conditioning.”

Founded in 2011, DP2 is organized around eight service areas, including medicine, nutrition, sport psychology, academic support, and sport science. Approximately 80–90% of teams engage with multiple service areas, but Athletic Trainers remain the consistent point of care when injuries affect daily life beyond the field.

When injuries could impact academics—such as a concussion or a fracture requiring immobilization—Athletic Trainers immediately contact Assistant Athletics Director Stacey Bridges, who coordinates accommodations across campus.

Bridges “can proactively work with others across campus to let them know and make accommodations,” Driggers said.

Women’s hockey head coach Maura Crowell noted that this accessibility sets Dartmouth apart.

“To have it housed in athletics and be so accessible to our student-athletes is a massive bonus,” she said.

For Athletic Trainers, DP2 offers a compelling model: integrated communication, shared data, and proactive collaboration that places the Athletic Trainer at the center of comprehensive student-athlete care—supporting performance, health, and long-term development alike. 

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