Ariko Iso (磯 有理子, Iso Ariko) (born December 7, 1970, in Tokyo, Japan) is the head athletic trainer for the Towson University football team. In 2002, Iso became the first full-time female athletic trainer in the NFL.[1] On June 1, 2011, Ariko announced she was leaving the Steelers and returning to Oregon State University to become the head football athletic trainer for the Beavers effective June 10, 2011.[2]

On June 6, 2018, Ariko became the Head Athletic Trainer for Towson University’s football team.

Iso became interested in athletic training after tearing her ACL while playing basketball and after hearing Oregon State University exercise physiologist Chris Zauner while in high school in Tokyo. Iso then attended Oregon State, earning her bachelor's degree in 1993. She then attended San Jose State University and earned her master's degree in 1995. She began athletic training while at San Jose State and worked at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.[1] She was hired by Portland State University in 1996.[3] At Portland State she worked with women's basketball, wrestling, and track and field before becoming the head football athletic trainer. In 2000 and 2001 she worked as an intern at the Steelers' training camp.[4] She was hired by the Steelers in 2002 to fill an open position, becoming the NFL's first full-time female athletic trainer. When hired, Iso became just the third female in male professional sports, with two in the NBA.[5] She worked at the 2005 Pro Bowl with Steelers coach Bill Cowher in Honolulu, Hawaii.[6] As an assistant athletic trainer, Iso is responsible for reviewing applications for the team's summer program that she previously participated in. Of all the applications, Iso said she receives 100–200 from women.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Baranick, Karen (March 6, 2003). "A Pioneer in the field of athletic training will speak". The Daily Barometer. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "Ariko Iso Joins Beaver Medical Staff". OSU Beavers website. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. ^ Norris, Mike (July 31, 2002). "First woman as athletic trainer in the NFL". Daily Vanguard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  4. ^ "Steelers hire league's first full-time female athletic trainer". CNN. July 25, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  5. ^ Mihoces, Gary (August 6, 2002). "Training leads to big break". USA Today. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  6. ^ "Trainer's not on the park blocks anymore". The Portland Tribune. January 31, 2008. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  7. ^ "Steelers Roundup". The San Diego Union-Tribune. February 2, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
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