Doug Boersma Obituary:- Doug Boersma (Real Name: Douglas Boersma), a respected athletic trainer and coach at Purdue University, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. He was 48 years old. He is survived by his wife Cari and his three daughters McKenna, Ashlyn and Kayden.
Douglas Boersma was a Purdue alum who graduated in 1997 with a degree in athletic training. He returned to his alma mater in 2012 as the director of sports medicine and later became the senior associate athletics director for performance and sports medicine. He oversaw the strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition and pre-hab for all 18 Purdue Athletics programs.
Boersma was widely admired and loved by his colleagues, students and athletes. He was known for his professionalism, dedication, compassion and mentorship. He was also a leader in his field and a recipient of several awards and honors.
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Death Cause
The cause of Douglas Boersma’s death has not been officially disclosed by his family or the university. However, some sources have speculated that he may have suffered a heart attack or a stroke.
According to a tweet by Purdue Athletics, Boersma passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 21. The tweet also stated that the department mourns during this difficult time and is keeping Boersma’s family in its thoughts and prayers.
Career and Achievements
Boersma had a distinguished career as an athletic trainer and coach at Purdue University. He joined the university in 2012 after working as an assistant athletic trainer at Northwestern University for 15 years. He also worked as an athletic trainer for the Chicago Bears from 2001 to 2004.
At Purdue, Boersma was responsible for overseeing the health and wellness of more than 500 student-athletes across 18 sports. He also managed a staff of more than 40 professionals, including athletic trainers, strength coaches, nutritionists and psychologists.
Great time with Kayden tonight! Love our neighborhood pond! I think she won! (But I’m the real winner!) pic.twitter.com/L57f0biKYz
— Douglas Boersma (@Doug_Boersma) June 20, 2023
Boersma was instrumental in developing and implementing innovative programs and initiatives to enhance the performance and recovery of the athletes. Some of these include:
- The Purdue Performance Center, a state-of-the-art facility that offers comprehensive services such as cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture and more.
- The Purdue Recovery Zone, a mobile unit that provides on-site recovery options such as compression boots, NormaTec sleeves and massage guns.
- The Purdue Fueling Station, a nutrition hub that offers healthy snacks and beverages to the athletes before and after their workouts.
- The Purdue Sports Science Lab, a research center that conducts cutting-edge studies on topics such as hydration, sleep quality, injury prevention and biomechanics.
Boersma was also a leader in his profession and a respected member of several organizations. He served as the president of the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association from 2018 to 2020. He was also a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the Big Ten Sports Medicine Society and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Boersma received numerous awards and recognitions for his work and contributions. Some of these include:
- The NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2021
- The NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2019
- The Big Ten Conference Tim Kerin Award for Excellence in Athletic Training in 2018
- The NATA District IV Bobby Gunn Student Leadership Award in 2017
- The NATA District IV Outstanding Educator Award in 2016
- The NATA District IV Service Award in 2015
Tributes and Condolences
Douglas Boersma’s death has shocked and saddened many people who knew him personally or professionally. Several tributes and condolences have been posted on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Some of the messages are:
“Doug Boersma was one of the best people I have ever met. He cared deeply about his family, his staff, his athletes and his profession. He was a mentor, a friend and a role model to me and many others. I will miss him terribly.” – Mike Bohlmann, associate athletics director at Purdue University
“Doug Boersma was a legend in our field. He was always ahead of the curve when it came to innovation and best practices. He was also a great colleague and a generous collaborator. He shared his knowledge and expertise with anyone who asked. He made us all better.” – Tory Lindley, director of athletic training services at Northwestern University
“Doug Boersma was a wonderful person and a phenomenal athletic trainer. He was always kind, helpful and supportive. He had a positive impact on countless lives. He was a true Boilermaker and a proud Purdue alum. He will be greatly missed.” – Matt Painter, head coach of Purdue men’s basketball team
“Doug Boersma was an amazing coach and a caring human being. He always had a smile on his face and a word of encouragement. He helped me grow as an athlete and as a person. He was like a father figure to me and many others. He will always be in my heart.” – Rondale Moore, former Purdue football player and current NFL player
Conclusion
Doug Boersma was a remarkable athletic trainer and coach who dedicated his life to improving the health and performance of the Purdue athletes. He was also a loving husband, father, friend and colleague who touched many lives with his kindness and generosity. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, innovation and leadership that will inspire generations to come.