York College Announces New Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Softball Coach
By Niko Balkaran
Helaine Cigal has been named the interim head athletic trainer by York College. Cigal, a CUNY graduate, has 31 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer.
Cigal was the head trainer at several CUNY colleges, including the College of Staten Island, New York City College of Technology and John Jay College, where she got her start in the CUNY system.
Cigal graduated from Brooklyn College with a bachelor’s degree in physical education specializing in sports medicine and has a master’s degree in sports science from Long Island University. Ciegal is a member of several athletic trainers’ associations, including the New York State Athletic Trainers Association.
Cigal has experience at other regional colleges at various NCAA levels, including Division 1. She was the assistant trainer for 17 teams at St. Francis College for five years. Additionally, Cigal was the assistant athletic trainer for 40 teams at Fordham Preparatory School before joining the Berkeley Carroll School, where she provided her medical services to activities of 43 teams.
“I can tell that the campus community shares a great passion for what we do and who we are here for,” said Cigal.
The college has also hired former student-athlete Kiara Gonzalez as assistant softball coach ahead of the 2023 season. She previously received the softball newcomer of the year award and played as a shortstop in her one season on the team.
I am excited to have Kiara join our Cardinal family as assistant coach. She will bring lots of energy and competitiveness to the program. As a recent graduate and player, she is familiar with the program and team. Kiara was previously coached in high school by a York softball and volleyball alum, Latonia Dalhouse. I look forward to seeing her growth in her role and beyond” said head softball coach Tracey Marshall
Gonzalez is more known for her time on the women’s volleyball team, where she won several awards, including Most Outstanding Player in 2021.
“To return to the softball program as assistant coach means the love and loyalty I have for the game, the coach and the team. I am also eager to see and experience what the other side of the fence is like, learning the game on another level and just continuing the legacy,” said Gonzalez in a York Athletics release.
