Academics
On Feb. 12, 2025, King’s College welcomed Utah Jazz NBA athletic trainers Lionel Rice and Kristin Farrell for a virtual question-and-answer session with students from the college’s athletic training program. The event was sponsored by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA), which is connecting students with top professionals in the field of sports medicine in recognition of National Athletic Training Month. 
King’s College alumnus, Lionel Rice, of Bronx, N.Y., joined the Utah Jazz as an assistant athletic trainer in 2023 after obtaining experience in both a collegiate and professional environment. Prior to working in the NBA, Rice gained extensive knowledge in professional football with seasonal internships with the Minnesota Vikings (2016-17) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-19). Throughout his career, Rice has also worked with the Michigan State University football team, University of Texas-San Antonio football team, and Bethune-Cookman University’s football and track/field teams.
Rice earned his bachelor’s in athletic training from King’s College in 2015, followed by a master’s from California University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate in Athletic Training from A.T. Still University. Rice credits King’s College for shaping his approach to service in the profession:
Kristin Farrell, from Bolton, MA, has been with Utah Jazz since 2021, serving as the director of manual therapy and assistant athletic trainer. Prior to joining the Jazz, she spent five years with the Memphis Grizzlies as an assistant athletic trainer and massage therapist.“Kings prepared me for success by emphasizing how important service is in this world. As an athletic trainer, we are of service to the athletes and team/organization that we work with, but also to the fellow healthcare and performance staff with work with too! That's what drives my passion, getting lost in service to others, doing right by others, taking care of others! The preceptors at Kings College AT program taught us how important that is to build relationships to take care of the athletes. “No one knows how much you know until they know how much you care.” Carrying this for the last 10 years since graduating from Kings has been a foundation of my success.
I am very excited to always give back as a mentor and a professional for the next generation of students at Kings College! Being of service to the students is what will help them grow and be successful as well. Go Monarchs!”
A graduate of Springfield College (B.S.) and the University of Florida (M.S.), Farrell has received numerous accolades for her outstanding contributions to the field of athletic training, including the Charles J. Redmond Distinguished Alumni Award and the Ed Lacerte Service Award from the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) in 2023. Farrell has also worked with the USA Basketball’s Men’s Select Team and is currently an active member of the NBATA Executive Committee.
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