SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. – Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Assistant Athletic Trainer Stephanie Toubman has been named the River States Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year, the league announced.

The honor comes after Toubman completed her second season with the SMWC athletic training staff and continues a strong run of recognition for the Pomeroys' athletic training program, following the same honor earned by Shannon Hamilton two years ago.

Toubman has played a critical role in the continued growth of SMWC Athletics, which has expanded to more than 400 student-athletes. During the past year, Toubman worked closely with the SMWC facilities team to help establish three new satellite athletic training areas on campus. Her efforts helped expand the department's athletic training footprint from one small space in the Knoerle Center to four spaces across campus.

She researched the necessary equipment, flooring and supplies needed to establish both secondary indoor and primary outdoor athletic training facilities, while also assisting directly with the setup and installation of equipment and flooring. In addition, Toubman reviewed and revised SMWC's athletic training policies and procedures to help ensure compliance and enhance student-athlete care moving forward.

"Stephanie Toubman has gone significantly above and beyond in her role at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College," said Kevin Lanke, associate vice president for athletics. "As our department has continued to grow, Stephanie has been instrumental in helping us expand our athletic training spaces, update our policies and procedures, and improve the level of care we provide to our student-athletes. She has taken on every challenge with professionalism, passion and an unwavering commitment to student-athlete well-being. Stephanie is tremendously appreciated by our football program, our department and every student-athlete she serves."

Toubman serves as the primary athletic trainer for SMWC football and has been a key figure in the program's growth and transition. She began the year by helping update and implement gameday athletic training guidelines for the Midwest Sprint Football League. Even as SMWC prepared to leave the MSFL, Toubman continued to assist other schools in strengthening their gameday protocols, driven by her belief that all student-athletes deserve quality care.

As SMWC transitions to NAIA football and the Mid-States Football Association, Toubman also worked with athletic trainers across the MSFA to help establish guidelines and protocols consistent with league expectations.

Within the River States Conference, Toubman has served as the home gameday athletic trainer for several basketball, softball and volleyball contests, providing care to both SMWC student-athletes and visiting teams.

"Stephanie's care for student-athletes extends far beyond her SMWC responsibilities," Lanke said. "She treats every athlete with compassion and professionalism, regardless of the school they represent. The River States Conference is fortunate to have someone with Stephanie's passion, dedication and determination as part of its athletic training community."

Toubman originally joined SMWC in August 2022 as a graduate assistant athletic trainer, working primarily with the Pomeroy sprint football program before being elevated to assistant athletic trainer.

Prior to her time at SMWC, Toubman was an elite gymnast and competed collegiately at Sacramento State University. She also served as a gymnastics instructor at Cobra Gymnastics in Rutland, Vermont, and worked as an academy coordinator and physical therapy aide in California. Toubman was a competitive team coach at Team OC in Costa Mesa, California, from 2008-18.

Toubman earned bachelor's degrees in kinesiology and health science, both with concentrations in pre-athletic training, from Castleton University in May 2021. She earned a Master of Athletic Training from Castleton in 2022 and most recently completed a Doctorate of Athletic Training from Indiana State University in May 2024.

Her attention to detail and commitment to student-athlete safety have made her an essential part of the SMWC football program.

"Stephanie has been a foundational part of SMWC football's success and has helped establish the standard our program operates by every day," said Griffin Olson, SMWC football operations director. "A team member since day one and now leading our transition to NAIA, I can truly say there is no SMWC football without her impact, care and commitment."