Alexander Thomas McDaniel

Dr. McDaniel, a native of Florida, began his professional journey in athletics as a competitive indoor and beach volleyball player. For seven years, he competed on the Bud Light Volleyball Tour and the California Beach Volleyball Association Tour, participating in tournaments across Florida and California.

Following a career-ending injury sustained during competition, Dr. McDaniel redirected his focus toward athletic training, inspired by his own rehabilitation experience. He earned his Masters in Health Science with a Concentration in Sports Medicine in 2013 and a Doctorate in Health Science from Nova Southeastern University in June 2018.

Dr. McDaniel has served as an athletic trainer at the division 1 university level and Hoggard High School. In addition to owning and operating a human performance rehabilitation facility and a sports medicine outreach company in Wilmington, North Carolina, he currently serves as an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences at UNCW.

Education

DHSc, Doctorate of Health Science, Nova Southeastern University
MHSc, Masters of Health Science Concentration in Sports Medicine, Nova Southeastern University
BS, Athletic Training, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Specialization in Teaching

Anatomy & Physiology, Musculoskeletal Evaluation & Rehabilitation, Leadership & Entrepreneurship

Research Interests

Biomedical Device Research, H2F - Military Health, Resilience, & Readiness, TBI - Brain Health, Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention, Female Hormone Health

Professional Service

Community Service Initiatives - Ocean Rescue, Firefighters & First Responders, Military and National Guard H2F
Professional Service - National Strength & Conditioning Association - North Carolina Advisory Board Member

Honors & Awards

2017 Discere Aude - Dare to Learn Teaching Mentorship Award
2025 Discere Aude - Dare to Learn Teaching Mentorship Award
2025 CHHS Distinguished Research Speaker