Kirk Brumels ’88 was hired by Hope in 2001 as the head athletic trainer and assistant professor following 11 years as assistant athletic trainer for the NFL’s New England Patriots.

In 2009, he became the program director for the Athletic Training Education Program at Hope; in 2014, he began serving as professor and chair of the kinesiology department.

He has also served as president of the Michigan Athletic Trainer's Society and is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainer's Association Professional Education Committee.

Areas of Expertise

Kirk’s areas of research and interests include human anatomy, athletic training, leadership and professional development.

Education

• Ph.D., educational leadership, Western Michigan University, 2005
• M.A., athletic training, Western Michigan University, 1990
• B.A., physical education, Hope College, 1988

Honors and Awards

• Hall of Fame, Michigan Athletic Trainer’s Society, 2013
• National Football League Professional Football Athletic Training Staff of the Year, 1997
• National Athletic Trainer’s Association Postgraduate Scholarship, 1989

Publications

• Core Concepts in Athletic Training and Therapy, co-author of nine chapters with S. Hillman, Human Kinetics, 2012
• "Game Theory," Training and Conditioning, September, 2010
• Developing Clinical Proficiency in Athletic Training: A Modular Approach, 4th Edition, Human Kinetics, 2009
• "Comparison of Efficacy between Traditional and Video Game Based Balance Programs," Clinical Kinesiology, winter, 2008

Presentations

• "Youth Sports vs. Youth Group: Time Prioritization of Today's Youth and Its Impact on Christian Formation," Annual Symposium of Christian Society of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, 2015
• "Learning to Dance with a New Partner: Shyness, Suspicions, Struggles, and Success in Interdisciplinary Research," 23rd Annual Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, Hope College, 2013
• "Video Game Based Rehabilitation," Michigan Athletic Trainer’s Association Student Educational Symposium, 2011
• "Professional Role Complexity and Its Impact on Job Satisfaction/Burnout," Michigan Athletic Trainer’s Society Professional Education Conference, 2011
• "Video Game Based Rehabilitation," Great Lakes Athletic Trainer’s Association Annual Symposium, 2010
• "Dance Dance Revolution® vs. Dance Dance Rehabilitation: DDR in the ATR," National Athletic Trainer’s Association Annual Symposium, 2009
• "Comparison of Stress Levels Due To Professional Role Complexities Of Collegiate Certified Athletic Trainers With and Without Clinical Instruction or Clinical Coordinator Responsibilities," National Athletic Trainer’s Educator’s Conference, 2007
• "Avoidance of Professional Burnout," Great Lakes Athletic Training Association Annual Symposium, 2006

Outside the College

Kirk is an avid fly fisherman, upland hunter and split bamboo fly rod maker. He enjoys spending time with wife, Stephanie, son, Hunter, daughter, Rebecca and English Setter, Dixie. He is a recreational/outdoor writer with several articles published and under consideration for regional, state and national magazines.

Kirk is completing work on a historical account of the Michigan Grayling, a fish that was indigenous to the state of Michigan, but has long been considered extinct. In addition, he is the editor of The Planing Form, an international newsletter for those who make and enjoy split bamboo fly rods.