Dr. Karen Weaver, Director of Athletics

Since her arrival in 2006, Karen Weaver has transformed the Penn State Abington Athletics program. Working alongside Abington’s chancellor and CEO, Dr. Karen Wiley Sandler, and Senior Director of Student Affairs, Gale Siegel, and many members of the campus community, Penn State Abington has undergone a dramatic re-birth as a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and a provisional member of the NCAA in Division III.

Penn State Abington’s Athletics program has added 6 new teams, 8 new head coaches and over 100 new athletic opportunities for student athletes in just three years. Realizing the campus needed updated facilities for the teams to compete, Abington’s campus leadership team embarked on an ambitious timetable of improving its indoor and outdoor facilities to benefit the student athletes and the local community. In addition to updating the recreational and fitness facilities with state of the art equipment, Penn State Abington will invest over $5 million in nearby outdoor fields as part of a partnership with Abington School District. A new artificial turf, field house, softball field and baseball field are all slated for either ground breaking or upgrades in the near future.

Taking advantage of her passion for social media, Weaver has launched a Twitter feed (@abingtonsports), a Facebook page (Penn State Abington Athletics) and a You Tube channel (AbingtonSports) celebrating all 14 varsity teams and adding value to the student athlete experience. The Intramural sports program also features its own Facebook  page (Penn State Abington Intramurals).

Dr. Weaver sits on the NEAC Conference management team, serving as the Conference Senior Woman Administrator and Vice President. She has also served on Abington’s Campus Strategic Plan committee, the campus Multi-Cultural Committee, and co-chairs the campus “No Place for Hate” Committee......click here to read more.

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Julie McNulty, Athletic Trainer

Julie enters her 4th year as the head Athletic Trainer at Penn State Abington, where she oversees the well-being of the 250 student-athletes that participate in the 14 varsity sports that are offered.

She worked seven years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Julie earned her Bachelors of Health Science in Athletic Training from Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, PA and her Masters of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She was also a graduate assistant athletic trainer where she worked through Northwest Georgia Sports Medicine clinic and was outreached to Dalton High School in Dalton, GA.

Julie volunteers her time during the summer to work the Wisconsin Association of Blind Athletes Sports Education Camp for kids ages 5-18 years of age.

Julie currently resides in Levittown, PA.

Abington athletic trainer volunteers with blind athletes in Summer 2009

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Neil Hoffman, Athletic Trainer

The Penn State Abington Athletics Department has formed a sports medicine partnership with one of the top rehabilitation centers in the nation. As part of that relationship, Certified Athletic Trainer Neil Hoffman has joined the Abington staff to help oversee the health and well-being of 250 student-athletes.
 
Hoffman comes to Penn State Abington from MossSports Rehab, part of the Albert Einstein Health Network.  According to the Einstein website, for the 17th year, MossRehab, part of the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation facilities in the 2010-2011 U.S. News & World Report magazine survey of “America’s Best Hospitals.”  MossRehab now ranks 10th on a list of just 20 rehabilitation hospitals named as best in their specialty for the most challenging cases and procedures, based on selections by board-certified physicians. MossRehab is the top ranked facility in Pennsylvania.
 
Hoffman also served as an Athletic Trainer at the Maryland SportsCare & Rehab and was a Physical Therapist's Technician at the Maryland Center for Physical Therapy. In the summer of 2007, he was a member of the athletic training staff for the MLB's Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore, MD.
 
Hoffman earned his Bachelor's of Science in Athletic Training from West Chester University in West Chester, PA and his Master of Science in Exercise and Physical Education from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD.

Neil currently resides in Ambler, PA.

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Cathy Kniele, Staff Assistant

Cathy Kniele, Staff Assistant in the Athletics Office has been employed here for 21 years. She supports the athletics director and the coaching staff through administrative work. She enjoys being a part of the athletic team and enjoys the campus atmosphere here at Penn State Abington.   She feels so blessed having the opportunity to interact with so many wonderful students.

Cathy continues to be on the Lion Heart/SAC Committee and she helps out with Special Athletes Day, Sports Banquet, Dance Concert, Wes Olsen Golf Tournament, Sports Camps and various events held in the Athletic Building and on Campus.

Cathy and her husband Bob enjoy long walks on the beach and hanging out with the family.

She resides in Harleysville, PA.