The Oakland Raider’s have hired Colorado State University alumna Kelsey Martinez as the first female assistant coach in the team’s history.
Martinez, a native of Pueblo, attended CSU from 2014-2015, earning a degree in health and exercise science. She will serve as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Raider’s this season.
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Martinez has been working with Tom Shaw, the team’s strength and conditioning coordinator, for four years and specialized in high-performance training before being named assistant coach.
Martinez joins a group of CSU alumnae who have been employed in professional sports.
Notable graduates include Becky Hammon, who was hired as the first full-time female assistant coach in the NBA in 2014; Jenny Cavnar, who recently became the third female to call a play-by-play for a Major League Baseball broadcast; and Amy Van Dyken, who—after an illustrious swimming career—has co-hosted a sports radio show and has reported on the sidelines for the NFL.
Martinez is not the only female assistant coach in the NFL: The Buffalo Bills and the San Fransisco 49ers also have full-time female assistant coaches on staff.
Collegian Assistant Photo Editor Ashley Potts can be reached at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @ashleypotts09.
