Bio

JJ Pignataro, was hired as the Elms newest member of the Athletic Training staff in November of 2023.

Prior to Elms College, JJ worked as an athletic trainer at American International College (AIC) in Springfield, Massachusetts. Over his 3 years at AIC, Pignataro was able to work with each of the 23 athletic teams offered, including time as the only athletic trainer on staff for 750 athletes during the Fall 2023 semester. His primary sport responsibilities at AIC included overseeing and covering the Yellow Jackets  field hockey, cross country, track & field, women’s lacrosse and men's lacrosse teams. JJ’s time at AIC started in October 2020 as a graduate intern with the college’s Division I ice hockey program, growing to be the team’s primary athletic trainer for the 2022-23 season.

Pignataro’s clinical experience has brought him all over New England and the Northeast. In addition to his year on the bench with AIC ice hockey, his stops include stints with the 2015 and 2018 Amherst College men’s lacrosse team, Western New England University football in 2017 and with theWest Chester University  field hockey team, who went on to be 2019 NCAA Division II National Champions. JJ was also involved with the inaugural season of the Paper City Oaks, a box lacrosse team based out of Holyoke and members of the North American Box Lacrosse League.  

Pignataro completed his Masters of Science in Athletic Training at West Chester University of Pennsylvania after receiving his Bachelors of Science at Westfield State University. 

His professional credentials include being AED and CPR certified and B Strong Blood Flow Restriction. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts.