Dr. Ward started teaching at PLNU in 2008. She also served as the Intramural Director from 2012-2022, which provides activities, sports and leagues for over 500 students each semester. In the Kinesiology Department she introduces all of our incoming students to future healthcare professions in Orientation to Kinesiology (KIN1001).
Brian Thornton is in his second year with the PLNU athletic department after joining the Sea Lions' staff in March 2014.
Thornton oversees all aspects of marketing and branding for the athletic department, specifically connecting with the internal and external PLNU community, including corporate sponsors.
After graduating from PLNU, Dr. Jeff Sullivan became a certified athletic trainer, then taught at San Jose State and Oregon State before returning to his alma mater, where he has taught since 2003. His expertise is in pathology to the shoulder and cervical spine. Sullivan previously directed the Athletic Training Education Program for eight years at PLNU, guiding it through a 10-year accreditation cycle.
The 2017 season will be the ninth for Coach Joe Schaefer at the helm of the PLNU baseball program. He has posted a record of 243-166-1 (.593 winning percent) over his eight seasons, including winning the GSAC regular season and postseason tournament titles in 2009, and reaching the NAIA World Series in 2009 and 2010. In fact, those two seasons under Schaefer were arguably the best campaigns in PLNU baseball history.
Dr. Brandon Sawyer graduated from PLNU with a B.A. in Athletic Training and became an ATC shortly after graduation. Over the years he spent time practicing as an athletic trainer for the San Diego Chargers, high schools, PLNU, and an arena football team in Fresno, CA. While Dr. Sawyer loved working as an athletic trainer his true passions are studying, teaching, and researching the physiology exercise and disease. Both his masters and doctoral degrees were in exercise physiology. Dr.
Dr. Brandon Sawyer graduated from PLNU with a B.A. in Athletic Training and became an ATC shortly after graduation. Over the years he spent time practicing as an athletic trainer for the San Diego Chargers, high schools, PLNU, and an arena football team in Fresno, CA. While Dr. Sawyer loved working as an athletic trainer his true passions are studying, teaching, and researching the physiology exercise and disease. Both his masters and doctoral degrees were in exercise physiology. Dr.
Dr. Brandon Sawyer graduated from PLNU with a B.A. in Athletic Training and became an ATC shortly after graduation. Over the years he spent time practicing as an athletic trainer for the San Diego Chargers, high schools, PLNU, and an arena football team in Fresno, CA. While Dr. Sawyer loved working as an athletic trainer his true passions are studying, teaching, and researching the physiology exercise and disease. Both his masters and doctoral degrees were in exercise physiology. Dr.
Justin Robinson is a registered sports dietitian and strength and conditioning coach who specializes in practical sports nutrition recommendations and functional conditioning techniques. Over the past 15 years, he has trained athletes from youth to professional levels, including runners and triathletes, major league baseball players, and U.S. Special Operations Forces.
Dr. Ryan Nokes has been teaching at Point Loma Nazarene University since 2015 and is currently the Clinical Education Coordinator for the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program. Dr. Nokes teaches in the Athletic Training Program, the Undergraduate Kinesiology Department, the Graduate Kinesiology Department, and the Anatomy Learning Institute (ALI). Dr. Nokes is a Board Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
