Bio

Elyssa Rotar joined the sports medicine staff as an Associate Athletic Trainer, bringing a diverse background in professional, collegiate, and industrial athletic training settings.

Her journey into sports medicine was born from her own experience as a student-athlete. Prior to its closure, Elyssa played volleyball at Concordia University - Portland from 2017 to 2020, where she served as team captain during her junior year and earned All-Conference honors in both her sophomore and junior seasons. Navigating her own injuries led to a deep appreciation for the profession; she began working in the training room during her off-seasons, a move that solidified her passion for helping athletes return to the sports they love.

Rotar comes to the department following a successful tenure at Portland State University (2023–2024), where she provided care for the football, cross country/track, softball, and volleyball programs. Her dedication to athlete wellness was recognized by her peers and athletes alike when she was voted the 2024 Sports Performance Staff Member of the Year. Her professional experience also includes a stint with the Portland Thorns of the NWSL, where she assisted in injury prevention and return-to-play programming for professional women’s soccer athletes.

A specialist in injury prevention and movement education, Rotar has also worked as an Injury Prevention Specialist for the City of Vancouver Police Department via WorkRight NW. Her clinical rotations included stops at Lewis and Clark College, George Fox University, and various Portland-area high schools.

A double alumna of Pacific University, Elyssa earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2021 and her Master of Science in Athletic Training in 2023. During her graduate studies, she conducted significant research on concussion assessment protocols (ImPACT) in high school athletes.

She holds numerous professional certifications, including:

• BOC Certified Athletic Trainer

• Oregon Licensed Athletic Trainer

• American Red Cross Professional Rescuer

• QPR Suicide Prevention Training

• Safe Space Ally Training

Outside of the training room, Elyssa enjoys spending time at home with her husband, Max, and their two "fur babies," Percy and Blake, often over a competitive board or card game.