Layla McCall has been named the new head athletic trainer in the Department of Athletics. McCall replaces former Head Trainer Sean Thomas who resigned at the conclusion of the 2005-2006 academic year to take a similar position at North Carolina Central University.

McCall, who had been the Head Athletic Trainer at Fort Valley State University since the fall of 2004, is a 2000 graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy. Following graduation, she worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at FAMU. In the fall of 2001, McCall began her graduate work at the University of Georgia while taking on a Graduate Assistant position in the athletic training operation of the athletics department, working exclusively with football. She was the first female to be given such an opportunity in the Bulldog athletics department. She earned her master's degree in Exercise Science from UGA in 2003 and immediately earned an internship with the National Football League's Pittsburg Steelers. The Baxley, Ga., native makes her home in Charlotte, NC.