University of Central Arkansas Athletics

MS-University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
BS-New Mexico State University

David Strickland has been the head athletic trainer and athletics health care administrator at the University of Central Arkansas since his arrival in July of 1998. Since that time, he has been directing all aspects of the sports medicine program. He currently oversees a staff of eight full-time athletic trainers and is responsible for supervising and administering the medical coverage for UCA's 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams, the medical care of over 500 student-athletes, and the operation of two sports medicine facilities.

In addition to his athletic and administrative responsibilities, David is also a graduate faculty instructor in the masters of science athletic training program at UCA. David has over 27 years teaching experience in sports medicine and athletic training. His area of expertise is with head, neck, and spine injuries as well as clinical courses which covers the on-field emergency management and care of athletic injuries.
 
David has drawn from his wealth of experience throughout his career in the athletic training profession to provide his student-athletes with the best possible medical care and his athletic training students with the best education possible. After graduating with his BS in Athletic Training Education from New Mexico State University, David became the first ever full-time head athletic trainer at Carlsbad High School in New Mexico. He then pursued a graduate degree in Human Performance at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse where he was a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Division III Football National Champions and provided medical coverage for the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Cross-Country National Championships. His first post professional full-time position was the Director of Athletic Training and Head Athletic Trainer at National American University in Rapid City, South Dakota where he was also the head athletic trainer for the international basketball champions Black Hills Posse Semi-Professional Basketball team.

A firm believer in the role athletic trainers play in health care and in the importance of the profession itself, David has dedicated much of his free time to being a leader. In 2008, David was appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe to the Governor's Council on Fitness, a position which is held indefinitely. He has been highly involved in the Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association-serving on the Governmental Affairs Committee, testifying before senate and house committees to support and defend several Arkansas athletic training bills directly related to the health care of student-athletes in the high school settings as well as improving the practice of licensed athletic trainers in the state of Arkansas. He has served as AATA President and has served eight years on the executive board for AATA. David has also served on the executive board for the Southwest Athletic Trainers'; Association as the Arkansas Representative and was re-elected for a second term, serving 4 years on the SWATA executive board. David also served as a test site administrator for the NATA Board of Certification exam.

Volunteering has been a big part of David's professional career. He was selected to work at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, working with the United States top athletes in wrestling, Judo, Taekwondo, and weightlifting. David was then selected to be a member of the

U.S. Olympic Committee's Medical Staff for the Titan Games, an international event in San Jose, California, working with Taekwondo, Shot Put and Discus. David was again invited to work at the Chula Vista, CA Olympic Training Center, working with USA track and field, rowing, rugby, and BMX sports. David worked with both able body and disabled athletes. David also has experience working with professional football players spending two summers and pre-seasons as an athletic trainer for the New Orleans Saints.

David has also volunteered his time for various other events throughout his career serving as the medical coordinator for the National College Finals Rodeo Championships, Bull Riders Only Tour, the South Dakota High School State Wrestling Championships, and Medical Coordinator for the Mount Rushmore International Marathon which hosted over 800 participants.

David's contributions and years of service to the state of Arkansas and the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association was rewarded as he was given the National Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2012. In 2014 David was inducted into the Arkansas Athletic Trainers'; Association Hall of Fame. In 2017 David received the Arkansas Athletic Trainer of the year award. In 2022 David received the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the Southwest Athletic Trainer's Association as well as receiving the highest honor in District 6 by being inducted into the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

David is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainers'; Association, the Southwest Athletic Trainers'; Association, and the Arkansas Athletic Trainers'; Association.

David and Donna Strickland have been married since 1991 and reside in Conway with their sheepadoodle, Angus.   (a big AC/DC fan)

Aaron Smith, MS, LAT, ATC
Associate Athletic Trainer/Clinical Instructor II
Men's Basketball; Men's/Women's Golf

Office Phone: 501-852-0701
Email: asmith@uca.edu

MS-Valparaiso University

BS-University of Central Arkansas

Aaron came back to UCA, joining the athletic training staff in the fall of 2014. Previously, he served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Valparaiso University. While at Valparaiso, Aaron provided medical coverage for the volleyball, men's and women's cross country, and men's and women's track and field teams.

During his time at Valparaiso, he earned his Master's of Science Degree in Sports Administration and graduated with distinction honors in May 2014. Aaron graduated from UCA in 2008 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Athletic Training, earning cum laude honors.

At UCA, as Associate Athletic Trainer, Aaron serves as the Coordinator for NCAA and Institutional Drug Testing at UCA along with other administrative duties.  Aaron supervises the operation of the Farris Center Athletic Training Clinic and oversees the medical coverage for the men's basketball and men's/women's golf teams. Aaron teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Exercise & Sport Science as well as serves as a clinical preceptor for athletic training students in the Masters of Athletic Training Program.  Because of his exemplary performance in teaching, Aaron was promoted to Clinical Instructor II in July 2025.

Aaron is the owner and primary handler of Ollie, a registered therapy dog. Ollie can frequently be seen around the athletic training clinics working with UCA student athletes to aide in their mental, emotional, and psychological recovery while the student-athletes are going through their rehabilitation and treatment programs with the athletic training staff and students.  

Aaron is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, and Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association.
 

Quintin Lee, MS, LAT, ATC
Athletic Trainer/Clinical Instructor I 
Football; Cheerleading

Office Phone: (501) 450-5106
Email: qlee2@uca.edu

MS- University of Central Arkansas
BS- Wichita State University

Quintin joined the UCA Athletic Training staff in the fall of 2023 after completing his Graduate Assistantship at the University of Central Arkansas. While being a Graduate Assistant, Quintin had worked with a variety of UCA sports ranging from Football, Women's Tennis, Baseball, Beach Volleyball.

During his time at the University of Central Arkansas, Quintin earned his Master's Degree in Exercise Science in May of 2023. Quintin earned his Bachelor's in Athletic Training at  Wichita State University in May of 2021. 

At UCA, Quintin oversees the medical coverage for the Football team and Cheerleading. Quintin also serves as an instructor in the Exercise & Sports Science Department as well as acting as a clinical preceptor for the athletic training students. 

Quintin is a Board Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, and Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association. 



Laura Hockaday, MS, LAT, ATC 
Athletic Trainer/Clinical Instructor I
Volleyball; Beach Volleyball 

Office Phone: 
Email: lhockaday@uca.edu

MS- University of Arkansas 
BS- Tulane University 

Laura joined the UCA Athletic Training staff in the summer of 2023, after previously serving as an athletic trainer and patient navigator at Ochsner-Andrews Sports Medicine Institute in New Orleans, LA. During her time at OSMI, she handled scheduling and insurance for the premier Sports Medicine Clinic in New Orleans, managed a caseload of athletes in a team with 2 physical therapists, assisted in teaching in the Sports Certified Specialist Physical Therapy Residency, and provided medical coverage for a local gymnastics club, Elmwood Gymnastics Academy.
 
Laura earned her Master of Athletic Training Degree at the University of Arkansas in 2021, during which time she met her husband, Blake. Previously, she earned a BS Science in Neuroscience from Tulane University in 2019. 
 
At UCA, Laura oversees the medical coverage for the Indoor and Beach Volleyball teams. Laura also serves as an instructor in the Exercise & Sports Science Department as well as acting as a clinical preceptor for the athletic training students.
 
Laura's husband, Blake, oversees medical coverage for the baseball teams and off season sports.   Laura and Blake have recently had a a new addition to their family, baby boy Theo.  They have three dogs, Lucy, Willow Jean, and JoJo Bean.  In her free time, she enjoys volunteering medical coverage for gymnastics meets and watching gymnastics events.
 
Laura is a Board Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.



Blake Hockaday, MS, LAT, ATC, CES
Athletic Trainer
Baseball, Stunt, Off Season Sports

Email: bhockaday1@uca.edu

MS- University of Arkansas
BS- University of Arkansas

Blake joined the UCA Athletic Training staff in the summer of 2023, after serving as an outreach athletic trainer for Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute in New Orleans, LA. While at OSMI, Blake provided medical coverage for the baseball and golf programs at the University of New Orleans and the baseball, volleyball, tennis, and swim programs at Loyola University of New Orleans.
 
Blake earned his Master's Degree in Athletic training from the University of Arkansas in May of 2020. Blake earned his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas in May of 2018.
 
At UCA, Blake oversees medical coverage for off season sports in the fall and the Baseball team. Blake also serves as a clinical preceptor for athletic training students.
 
Blake's wife, Laura also serves as an athletic trainer and faculty on the UCA athletic training staff and teaches in the exercises and sport science department.  Blake and his wife Laura have recently had a a new addition to their family, baby boy Theo.  They also have three dogs, Lucy, Willow, and JoJo.
 
Blake is a Board Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.



Jonathan Hull, MS, LAT, ATC
Athletic Trainer
Men's Soccer, Stunt, Off Season Sports

Email: jhull4@uca.edu

MS- Texas State University
BS- Angelo State University 

Jonathan joined the UCA Athletic Training Staff summer of 2023. Before joining UCA, Jonathan was the Head Athletic Trainer for Venus High School in Venus, Texas. While at Venus, he taught several sports medicine classes, provided coverage for sports, and was the sponsor for the sports medicine club. 

Jonathan earned his masters degree in post-professional athletic training from Texas State University in 2018. He earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and bachelors degree in Athletic Training from Angelo State University in 2015. 
At UCA, Jonathan currently is the athletic trainer for the mens soccer teams as well as providing medical coverage for off season sports in the spring.   

Jonathan is a Boards Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. 



Sarah Evans, MS, LAT, ATC
Athletic Trainer
Cross Country; Track and Field

Email: sevans21@uca.edu
 
MS- University of Central Arkansas
BS - Southern Arkansas University

Sarah joined the UCA athletic training staff in the summer of 2024 after completing his Graduate Assistantship at the University of Central Arkansas. While being a Graduate Assistant, Sarah worked with a variety of sports ranging from Softball, Football, Men's and Women's Track and Field, and assisted with the remaining sports. 

During her time at UCA, Sarah earned her Master's Degree in Exercise Science in May of 2024, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training in May of 2022. 

At UCA, Sarah oversees the medical coverage for the Men and Women Cross Country teams and the Men and Women Track and Field Teams who, recently in 2025, were crowned Indoor and outdoor  men and women Track and Field Conference Champions!  An accomplishment that has never been achieved at UCA.  Sarah, also serves as a clinical preceptor for the athletic training students in the Masters of Sceince Athletic Training Program. 

Sarah is a Board Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, and Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association.

Athletic Training Academic Faculty
 

Darcy Downey, EdD, LAT, ATC
Director of Masters of Athletic Training Program

Office Phone: 501-450-5112
Email: ddowney@uca.edu

EdD - University of Texas-Austin
MS - Stephan F. Austin State University
BS - Mankato State University

Rock Lee, Ph.D, ATC
Associate Professor
Athletic Training Clinical Coordinator

Phone: 501-450-5121
Email: rlee@uca.edu

PhD - University of Georgia
MA- University of Nebraska
BS - Yonsei University, Seoul South Korea

Dr. Rock Lee is an assistant professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Central Arkansas. Previously, he served as the athletic training education program coordinator at the University of North Georgia and Murray State University. Dr. Lee earned his Ph.D from the University of Georgia in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training and Measurement in Kinesiology.

The focus of Dr. Lee's research is to investigate the posturography properties of current measures of sport-related concussion in adolescent and college athletes. Dr. Lee's previous studies have addressed reliability of the Sensory Organization Test of NeuroCom using non-linear models such as sample or multi-scale entropies.

Dr. Lee is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, the Korean Athletic Trainers' Association, and the Korean Athletic Trainers' Society.



Jason Carruth, MBA, MS, LAT, ATC
Clinical Instructor I

Phone: 501-852-7186
Email: jcarruth@uca.edu

PhD (2023-current)- University of Central Arkansas
MBA- University of Central Arkansas
MS- University of Central Arkansas
BS- University of North Alabama

Jason Carruth began his time at the University of Central Arkansas in 2005 as a graduate assistant as an athletic trainer. Following his time at UCA, he was an associate athletic trainer at Hendrix College before working with Perryville High School as an outreach athletic trainer through Conway Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. After a short time at Perryville High School, Jason moved to Conway Christian High School in November of 2009. Jason provided medical coverage at Conway Christian as an outreach athletic trainer through Conway Regional Health Systems. From 2010 until the spring of 2022, Jason served as the head athletic trainer for Conway Christian High School and Central Baptist College. Beginning in 2017, he was also the head athletic trainer for the NCAA Division III Hendrix College. In 2013, Jason  began supervising the athletic training program for Conway Regional, adding a 3rd athletic trainer and 4th school in the summer of 2014. It was then that Jason returned to the Exercise Science Department at UCA as an adjunct instructor. During his time as the Supervisor and Manager of Athletic Training Services for Conway Regional Health Systems, the program grew from 3 athletic trainer providing service to 4 schools to 14 athletic trainers providing athletic training services to an NAIA college, NCAA Division III College and 6 regional high schools. In 2022, Jason passed the reigns of the outreach athletic training program responsible for over 4,000 high school and college athletes to a new manager and increase his role at UCA as a full-time faculty member in the Exercise Science Department and graduate faculty of the Masters of Athletic Training Program. Jason continues to provide sport coverage to Clinton High School through Conway Regional's outreach program. 

Jason shares his passion for healthcare administration, demonstrating value in athletic training to stakeholders, and experience in high school, college and professional (PRCA, AMA-Motocross) athletics with the students in the MSAT program at UCA. He is married to his wife Lindsay and has 2 sons,  JW (9) and Jackson (6). 



Jordyn Troy, MS, LAT, ATC
Athletic Trainer/ Clinical Instructor

Office Phone: 501-852-7748
Email: jtroy@uca.edu
 
MS- Henderson State University
BS- Saginaw Valley State University

Jordyn joined the UCA Athletic Training staff in the summer of 2022, after previously serving as an athletic trainer at Henderson State University, AR. While at Henderson State, Jordyn provided medical coverage for men's and women's basketball, swim, golf, and football programs. 

During her time at Henderson State, Jordyn earned her Master of Science in Sports administration in May of 2021. Previously, she received her BS in Athletic Training in 2019 from Saginaw Valley State University, MI. 

At UCA, Jordyn served as the athletic trainer for the UCA Sugar Bears Women Basketball team for many years and assisted the sugar bears in several successful seasons.  Jordyn continues her service to the athletic training students  as an instructor in the Exercise & Sports Science Department as well as a clinical preceptor for the athletic training students in the Masters of Science in Athletic Trainning Program.  

Jordyn is a Board Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, and Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association. 










Ollivander "Ollie" Aloysius Smith
Therapy Dog, TDI, CGC

Ollivander Aloysius Smith, better known around campus as "Ollie", is a 2-year old Rough Collie. He is a registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International, as well as a Canine Good Citizen with the American Kennel Club.

Ollie serves as a member of the UCA Athletic Training Staff by providing stress and anxiety relief to student-athletes dealing with pain, injuries, or mental health issues. He will also serve in the central Arkansas community through various schools, hospitals, and organizations.

Ollie can frequently be found in the EXSS classrooms, Athletic Training Clinics, and UCA athletic facilities. He is the first known therapy dog being used in collegiate athletics in the state of Arkansas.

Ollie's owner is Athletic Trainer Aaron Smith