Athletic Training Staff

Tim Podesta, MA, ATC
Director of Athletic Training Services
Tim "Po" Podesta joined the athletic training staff in the fall of 2001 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and was promoted to Associate Director of Athletic Training Services in 2005. His primary responsibilities include sport coverage for the Men and Women's Cross Country teams, Men's Basketball, and Women's Rowing programs. Administratively, Po serves as the Student Assistant Program Coordinator, the First Aid/CPR certification liaison for the Department of Athletics, and acts as the director of the prescription medication program.

Prior to officially joining the staff, Po worked as an Assistant Athletic Trainer during the inaugural, championship season of the Bay Area Cyber Rays of the now defunct Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). Po has also worked with the Bay Area Cyber Rays youth camps, Stanford University Lacrosse camps, and as a volunteer for the National Rugby College Invitational, and the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. In 2000, Tim received a Master of Arts in Sports Psychology from Saint Mary's College.

Po completed his internship requirements in the Athletic Training Room at Saint Mary's, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Performance in 1999, and a Master of Arts in Sport Psychology in 2000, all while competing as a pitcher for the Gael baseball team. Po earned varsity letters in 1996, 1999 and 2000.

Tim currently resides in Walnut Creek.

Office Phone: 925.631.4398 ATR; 925.631.8123 fax
E-Mail Address: tpodesta@stmarys-ca.edu
Sport Assignment: M Basketball, Cross Country, W Rowing
Hometown: Redwood City, CA

Laura Dixon, MS, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Laura joined the athletic training staff in the fall of 2003 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. Her primary responsibilities include medical coverage for the Baseball and Men's Soccer programs. Administratively, Laura manages all staff schedules and is responsible for managing supply inventories and purchasing. Laura coordinates all medical consingment programs with both Pacific Medical and Total Care, and also acts as the Environmental Health and Safety liason with the Occupational Safety and Health Administraion (OSHA).

Prior to her arrival at Saint Mary's, Laura spent two years as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of California Berkeley, during which time she completed a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from California State University Hayward. Prior to that, Laura worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer in an outpatient physical therapy clinic after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Sport Science from Oregon State University in 2000.

Laura, her husband Ben, and son Dylan currently reside in Dublin.

Office Phone: 925.631.4398 ATR; 925.631.8123 fax
E-Mail Address: lbrooks@stmarys-ca.edu
Sport Assignment: Baseball, M Soccer
Hometown: Grass Valley, CA

Hattie Leal, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Hattie has joined the athletic training staff for the fall of 2006 through spring 2007 to cover Women's Basketball, and both Men's and Women's Tennis programs. Hattie has returned to Saint Mary's College after graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Human Performance while completing internship requirements in the Athletic Training Room. After earning her athletic training certification 2001, Hattie also became a Certified Pilates Instructor.

Prior to her return, Hattie taught a Gross Motor Development Skills Program to kindergarten, first, and second graders in San Francisco, CA. Before returning to Northern California to become a personal trainer for post-physical therapy rehabilitation patients in Berkeley, Hattie also worked in a physiotherapy clinic in San Diego.

Hattie currently resides in Oakland, CA.

Office Phone: 925.631.4398 ATR; 925.631.8123 fax
E-Mail Address: hjleal@stmarys-ca.edu
Sport Assignment: W Basketball, M&W Tennis
Hometown: Napa, CA

Rachel Salazar MS, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Rachel Salazar joined the Saint Mary's College Athletic Training Staff in the fall of 2007. Rachel returns to Saint Mary's College after graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training. Rachel returns the SMC Athletic Training to provide direct medical coverage to the Women’s Volleyball

Prior to her return to Moraga, Rachel spent two years completing her Master's of Science Degree at Plymouth State University. Graduating from PSU in the spring of 2007, Rachael brings with her Athletic Training experience with numerous Division 1 programs including football, soccer, wrestling, and baseball, as well as assisting with Athletic Training coverage at Holderness Prep School.

Rachel currently resides in Concord.