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SALEM, MASS. – As alumni return for this year’s athletics’ homecoming festivities at ����ֱ��, they’ll do so in honor of an integral part of the student-athlete success team.

This year’s Athletics Homecoming Day on Saturday, Oct. 19 will be held in honor of Scott Braid, who recently moved into a faculty position at Merrimack University after serving most recently as the university’s assistant director of athletics for sports medicine and student-athlete wellness. Braid served the athletics program for 15 years.

Braid, who received his bachelor of science degree in athletic training from Merrimack College in 2007 and his master of science in exercise science from Syracuse University in 2009, began as an assistant athletic trainer at Salem State in 2009 before being named head athletic trainer in 2019. He earned a doctoral degree in athletic training from Temple University in 2020 and was promoted to director of sports medicine and student-athlete wellness at the university in 2022.  

In his time as head athletic trainer, Braid transitioned the Salem State athletic training department into the department of sports medicine and instituted student-athlete programs specializing in nutrition, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, and chiropractic and health services. In addition, Braid was instrumental in developing sports psychology and mental health programs for Salem State student-athletes.

Braid has accepted an athletic training position at his alma mater, Merrimack College, where he’ll also serve as healthcare administrator to the college’s athletics department.

"Scott's commitment to our student-athletes went far beyond the hands-on role as an athletic trainer. He helped transform the department to a comprehensive sports medicine program serving the holistic needs of our student-athletes,” said Nicolle Wood, director of athletics at Salem State. “He helped lead our department through some extremely challenging times, including the pandemic and a crisis affecting our student-athlete community. We are going to miss him as he takes this next step at the DI level, but also are grateful for how far his impact will continue to reach."

Homecoming day’s action includes an 11 am Women’s Volleyball match against Emmanuel, a 12 pm Field Hockey match against Framingham State, and a 3 pm Women’s Soccer match against MCLA.

Donations are appreciated, with a suggested donation of $10 per ticket. Money raised at the event will benefit the Sam Cioffi Memorial Student-Athlete Wellness Fund, which Braid helped to develop and program to further the success and well-being of Viking student-athletes. Cioffi was a popular and well-known Salem State student-athlete and proud member of the Vikings men’s lacrosse team who died tragically in 2022. The fund honors Cioffi by raising funds for a student-athlete wellness center named in his memory.