NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Grant Norte, the current head athletic trainer at the State University of New York at New Paltz, will be stepping down from his position to pursue his PhD in sport medicine at the University of Virginia, as announced Friday by director of athletics Stuart Robinson. Norte's final day will be on June 6, 2012. A national search for his replacement is nearing its conclusion, and no more applications are being accepted.

“This was a tough decision, as I've enjoyed working with our student-athletes and watching them grow as people,” Norte said. “I have decided to pursue my passion in education and research in this field. I wish our student-athletes all the best going forward, and it has been a pleasure being their athletic trainer.”

Norte arrived on campus during the summer of 2010 and is finishing up his second year as New Paltz's head athletic trainer. Prior to New Paltz, he worked as an athletic training fellow at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., and he served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Virginia during the 2008-09 academic year.

“Grant has been one of the best students of the athletic training profession that we have had here at New Paltz,” Robinson said. “We wish him all the best in all of his future endeavors as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.”