Waynesburg University Athletics

Dr. Andy Palko serves as the Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine at Waynesburg University, as well as an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the undergraduate Heath Science programs and the graduate Athletic Training program. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer, Nationally Registered EMT and an instructor certified in First Aid/CPR/AED by the American Red Cross.

Prior to his current role within the Department of Athletics, Dr. Palko spent six years (2013-2019) as the University’s Head Athletic Trainer overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Athletic Training Clinic and coordinating medical care for the University’s 20 varsity sports.
 
Dr. Palko joined the Yellow Jackets from Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he served as Clinical Coordinator/Instructor/Interim Head Athletic Trainer for football and softball during the 2012-2013 academic year. He arrived at Greensboro from Ashland (Ohio) University, where he served as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and Adjunct Professor from 2007 until 2012. While at Ashland, he oversaw the Eagles’ men’s and women’s soccer teams, football, wrestling, baseball and women’s tennis teams at various points during his tenure. Over that same span, Dr. Palko was also contracted to be an Athletic Trainer with Team USA Softball.
  
In addition, Dr. Palko has worked for the University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) as the Head Athletic Trainer at McKeesport High School and as a graduate assistant Athletic Trainer at Ohio University.
 
After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training from Waynesburg in 2005, Palko added a Master’s of Science Degree in Athletic Training Education from Ohio University in 2006, and a Doctorate of Education in Health and Physical Activity from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019.
 
Dr. Palko made his first trip to Waynesburg in 2001, when he began a successful four-year football playing career with the Yellow Jackets as an offensive lineman. The Yellow Jacket standout was a four-year starter, a three-time All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference honoree, the team’s Rookie of the Year and a major contributor to the Jackets’ 2003 PAC title over a stretch of 42-consecutive starts. He also excelled in the classroom with numerous Fall PAC Academic Honor Roll citations.
 
Dr. Palko is a graduate of Richland High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Washington, Pennsylvania, with his wife Jackie, daughter Mabel, and son Teddy.