Mike Saunders
College - NYU '77
The longest-tenured trainer in franchise history, Mike Saunders marks his 27th campaign on the Knickerbockers bench in 2004-05...Joined Knicks on Jul. 24, 1978, succeeding the legendary Danny Whelan, who put in 11 seasons and tended to both Knicks championship teams.
One of NBA's senior and most-respected trainers...Currently second among NBA head trainers in continuous service to one club...Only Indiana's David Craig (starting in 1970-71) has had a longer head training tenure with his current club than Saunders...Just the fifth trainer in the franchise’s 59-year history, joining Jim Nevins, Don Friederichs, Bill Norris and Whelan, who passed away on Jan. 2, 2004.
In addition to duties as head athletic trainer, also co-ordinates the Knicks' demanding travel schedule and oversees the daily operation of the new MSG Training Center in Tarrytown and its state-of-the-art athletic training and physical therapy center.
Served for two years (1997-98 and 1998-99) as president of the National Basketball Trainers Association (succeeded by David Craig)...Recognized by his peers from the NBTA as 1994 NBA Trainer of the Year...Honored for long service by the NYC Pro-Am League when he was inducted into the League’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
Tended to two Knicks Eastern Conference Championship teams (1993-94 and 1998-99)...Served as East trainer in two NBA All-Star Games (1986 at Dallas, 1998 at MSG)...Long run of service was interrupted for six weeks in early 1990 due to multiple facial fractures suffered in a car accident.
Registered Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer...Member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the National Athletic Trainers Association and the American College of Sports Medicine...Has served as consultant to the Sports Medicine Department at Beth Israel Hospital North Division.
Long an advocate of assisting the city's youth...Has acted as Coordinator of the Student Athletic Training Program in conjunction with New York City's Board of Education...Has made frequent appearances at the Gatorade Knicks Summer Basketball Camp and at other summer events...In past years, served as longtime co-chairman of the Garden's annual Easter Seals Shootout, and was involved with Special Olympics and Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon...Also served as the longtime trainer at the Maurice Stokes Memorial Basketball Game at Kutsher’s Country Club...Quote: "I enjoy making camp appearances and talking with young men and women. My message is `Live Your Dreams' and I try to guide them toward success in life. It's something that goes far beyond basketball."
Prior to Knicks career, served as trainer at John Jay College...Was also involved with several area pro teams, including soccer Cosmos during their 1975 European-Caribbean tour and the U.S. National Soccer team in 1976-77.
Big Apple native...Product of the New York City Public School system...Graduate of Newtown HS in Queens...Received undergraduate degree in physical education at CCNY, then completed his education at New York University's School of Physical Therapy...As a youth, assisted Whelan at Knicks practices at Lost Battalion Hall in Queens.
Avid sports and show business buff...Owns extensive memorabilia collection centering on the New York Yankees and late Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams (visited Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown in summer 2004)...Has more than 150 game-worn major league caps...Devotee of the unmatched music of the Big Band Era and Frank Sinatra, among the many classic sounds which can often be heard wafting out of Knicks training rooms...Eclectic memorabilia collection includes CD of classic jingles from legendary and now-defunct WNEW-AM...Budding career as a crooner was the subject of CBS-TV feature aired during the 1989 Playoffs...Dedicated runner and tennis player.
Mike and wife Susan have been married for 22 years and are proud parents of daughter Ashley, an 18-year old college freshman, and son Jeffrey, 11...The Saunders family lives in Pomona, NY.
