Official Site of Mount Holyoke Athletics

Ellen Perrella will enter her 39th year as the Head Athletic Trainer at Mount Holyoke College during the 2022-23 season. Perrella is also a faculty member within the Department of Athletics and Physical Education.

Education

• University of Colorado, Boulder - Master of Science - Exercise Physiology (1983)
• University of Utah, Salt Lake City - Bachelor of Science - Physical Education (1981)
• West Chester State College - NATA Athletic Training Education Program (1980)

At Mount Holyoke College

• Evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of over 250 student-athletes on 14 varsity athletic teams
• Develop and oversee medical clearance protocols in collaboration with the Health Center and Athletic Trainint Staff
• Consult with faculty, staff and student-athletes regarding health/fitness concerns
• Designate Athletics Health Care Administrator (NCAA)
• Hire, train and supervise two Assistant Athletic Trainers and student-athletic training aides

Professional Experience

• Mount Holyoke College - Head Athletic Trainer (1984-Present)
• University of Colorado, Boulder - Assistant Athletic Trainer (1981-1984)
  • First woman to work with football at the University of Colorado
• Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts (ATOM) - Membership Representative (1993-2000)
• The P.L.A.Y. Academy at MHC - Athletic Trainer/Strength Coach (1994-2010)
• Springfield College AT Summer Workshop - Instructor (1994-2000)
• Cramer's Athletic Training Clinic - Instructor (1982, 1984, 1985, 1990-92)

Community Service

• Amherst Regional School System Wellness Committee (2013-2015)
• Loomis House of Holyoke, Mass. - Fitness Instructor (1996-2000)
• Team leader/walker for Rays of Hope (Fall 1997)
• Athletic Training
  • Bay State Games, Boston, Mass. - 1994
  • Senior Olympics, Springfield College - 1992
  • National Sports Festival, Colorado Springs, Colo. - 1983
  • U.S. National Youth Soccer Team, Guatemala - 1982
    • First woman to accompany a U.S. Soccer team to a foreign country.
• New England Discovery Bike Tour
  • Rode 500 miles and raised $2500 for American Lung Association (ALA)
• Co-Medical Director - Bolder Boulder Road Race - 1982-84

Current Certifications

• Licensed Athletic Trainer (Approved Clinical Instructor)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA)
• Instructor, Adult, Child, Infant CPR/AED and First Aid (American Red Cross)
• Instructor, Responding to Emergencies (American Red Cross)
• Instructor, Safety Sport Training (American Red Cross)
• Professional Rescuer CPR (American Red Cross
• NPI # 1114992039

More about Ellen:

Perrella is a Senior Faculty member in the College's Department of Physical Education. Perrella teaches a functional strength-training class, which allows her to share her love of this state-of-the-art approach to weight training. Perrella believes passionately in the value and importance of strength training, especially for women.

The Long Island native is active in the public speaking realm, presenting at numerous health-related conferences. She challenges many of the myths and misunderstandings regarding obesity with her lecture “Challenging Conventional Wisdom: Separating Fat from Fiction”. Perrella is a long-standing member of the Five College Eating Disorder Task Force and the campus Eating Issues Team and Alcohol and Drug Advisory Committee.

After graduating from the University of Utah, Perrella went on to earn her Master's degree in exercise physiology from from University of Colorado. While at Utah, she was a three year member of the University's Division I basketball team. In 1981, she earned WBCA/Kodak Honorable Mention All-America honors. Perrella was a two time All-Conference Team selection and racked up 1,044 over the course of her career.

Perrella loves hiking in the local hills, is an avid cyclist and weight trains on a regular basis. She also enjoys relaxing with a good book, the latest Netflix obsession, and traveling. Perrella received the Twentieth Anniversary Service Award from the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts.