Eric McQuaid strengthens North Park University’s athletic training staff by hiring Chris Anderson

CHICAGO, Illinois. – Head coach Eric McQuaid has announced the hiring of Chris Anderson as associate athletic trainer, it was announced Monday morning. Anderson joins the Vikings staff after serving as head coach for the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) in 2023 and the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL) last season.

“We are very excited to welcome Chris back to the NPU family as an Associate Athletic Trainer,” said McQuaid. “North Park Athletics is fortunate to have an AT with his extensive and extensive experience in athlete health care. For over 20 years, he has been a proven clinician, leader and advocate for health and safety in sports throughout the greater Chicago area, including high schools, colleges and professional football. Having Chris back at North Park will immediately enhance our ability to provide high quality care for our athletic programs, including oversight of our AT services for football and men’s volleyball.”

Prior to playing professional football, he served as the head athletic trainer at various high schools and colleges in the greater Chicago area. Most notably, he served as the head athletic trainer at Concordia University Chicago from 2011-2023, where he developed a comprehensive sports medicine program for the university including: injury prevention programs, injury assessments, injury management/treatment and rehabilitation, and student-athlete counseling.

Anderson received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2002 and his Master of Education from North Park University in 2008, where he also served as an athletic trainer intern and recognized clinical instructor.

“One of the main reasons I chose North Park for my master’s degree was the opportunity to work with athletic trainers,” Anderson said. “This opportunity gives me the chance to work with student-athletes again, but now I can mentor them with two decades of experience and work at nearly every level of the profession. I’m excited to return to a community of people I’ve enjoyed working with in the past, and now I can continue to foster those relationships with former and new colleagues.”