Ventresca Named Director of Sports Medicine
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Shay Ventresca has been named the next Director of Sports Medicine for the Mitchell College Athletic Department, as announced recently by Director of Athletics Matt Finlayson.
A 2023 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, Ventresca earned her Bachelor of Science in Sport and Leisure Management, with a concentration on Sport Science and Performance. She then earned her Master of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Connecticut in May 2025, while being recognized with the Stephanie M. Singe Student-Athletic Trainer Service Award.
"I'm incredibly honored to step into the role of Director of Sports Medicine at Mitchell College," said Ventresca. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to support our student-athletes and am committed to building a consistent, athlete-centered model of care. I want to thank Matt Finlayson and the rest of the athletic department for their trust and support. I'm looking forward to being part of this tight-knit community and continuing to contribute to its strong, supportive culture."
While obtaining her degrees, Ventresca gained hands on athletic training experiences working with the baseball program at Eastern Connecticut, the women's soccer program at the University of Connecticut, and a variety of sports at Connecticut College. She also picked up experience working with football, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and cross-country athletes at the Pomfret School, a private college preparatory high school in Pomfret, Connecticut. She also completed an internship with the UConn Institute for Sports Medicine and an apprenticeship with LaBranche Endurance and Performance (LEAP) in Montville, Connecticut.
A member of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the National Athletic Training Association (NATA), Ventresca holds the following certifications and licenses: BOC- Certified Athletic Trainer, EMT- Basic, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), Basic Life Support and First Aid, American Heart Association, and she is working towards obtaining her NSCA- CSCS Certification.
A Montville, Connecticut native, Ventresca played women's lacrosse collegiately at Eastern Connecticut State University after transferring to the Warriors following her freshman season at Division I Wofford College. A two-time team caption for ESCU, she concluded her career with 83 goals, 75 assists, and 50 ground balls in 47 games across three seasons.
