Vanessa Hale joined the Norfolk State staff during the 2024-25 academic year as the head athletic trainer, primarily working with the Norfolk State football program.
Originally from Los Angeles California, Hale transferred to Howard University in August 2014, after two years at the University of Oregon. During her three and a half years at Howard, she worked with football, track & field, and men's & women's tennis on occasion, as a student athletic trainer. She graduated from Howard with a B.S. in Human Performance December 2017. After graduating, Hale began her Master’s program at the University of Houston in June 2018. During her time in the program, she worked with UH football and men’s basketball. In addition, she expanded her experience to volleyball, baseball, and men's & women's soccer through a year-round clinical rotation at the University of St. Thomas (Houston). Rice football and surgical observation were notable experiences through other clinical rotations.
After graduating with a Master’s in Athletic Training in May 2020, Hale faced some of the challenges COVID-19 presented among athletics. Her first position as a certified athletic trainer was with Clark Atlanta University as the Associate Athletic Trainer in August 2021. Her tenure at CAU included working primarily with football, men's and women's basketball, and softball. Between her second and third year she restarted the student aide program. After three years and a '23-'24 MBB conference championship, she left as the Associate Head Athletic Trainer to continue her journey as the Head Football Athletic Trainer here at NSU in July 2024.
Hale holds Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), and Functional Dry Needling Level 1 (FDN1) certifications, along with her national certification and state licensure. She looks to further her knowledge though obtaining certifications in manual therapy and performance enhancement.
