(Tuesday, September 28; Sioux Center, Iowa) Dordt University has announced that Chris Fagerness, Dordt's head athletic trainer, will leave the institution at the conclusion of the fall semester to pursue another opportunity.

"Chris has been a tremendous resource as the Dordt Athletic Department has grown. He has served faithfully for over 21 school years and has worked with the student-athletes' best interests in mind. The position of athletic trainer can be one that goes largely unnoticed by the public but is incredibly important to an institution, athletic department and the programs the trainers serve," said Dordt Director of Athletics Dr. Darin Keizer.

Fagerness began his work at Dordt in 2005 and oversees an athletic training staff that includes five members. During his time at Dordt, the institution added football, men's volleyball, men's and women's swimming, competitive cheer and dance, women's golf and an extensive junior varsity team offering. Dordt also began providing athletic training services for a hockey team that competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. Dordt currently has more than 600 student-athletes who compete on 22 varsity and eight junior varsity teams.

"I am grateful for my time here at Dordt University and have been blessed by the many relationships with students and staff. I will be transitioning to a clinic athletic training position working for Dr. Sawyer, who is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Avera," said Fagerness.

The search to replace Fagerness will begin immediately.