One of the most respected men in his field, Joe-Joe Petrone begins his fourth year at Middle Tennessee as the program's head athletic trainer.

A native of Nashville and a graduate of Father Ryan High School, Petrone oversees the entire training operation and is also the primary liaison for the football program.

Petrone comes to the Middle Tennessee family after spending five years as the athletic trainer and therapist at Healthsouth Sports Medicine Center in Tampa, Florida. He was responsible for the rehabilitation of all injuries and in charge of the Sports Medicine Outreach Program.

Prior to his time at Healthsouth, Petrone was the assistant athletic trainer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1987 to 1996. While with the Buccaneers, he saw to the care and prevention of player injuries and handled all road trip needs for his team physicians.

From 1981 to 1987, Petrone was the assistant athletic trainer at the University of Mississippi. At Ole Miss, he assisted with the football program and was the head trainer for basketball. For five years, Petrone worked as a trainer for the New York Yankees Fantasy Camp and also donated his time and knowledge as a trainer for Florida College and Hillsborough High School football.

During the summers of 1979 and 1980, Petrone served as an assistant athletic trainer for the New York Jets Football Club in Hempstead, New York.

A certified member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Petrone earned his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University in 1980. In 1994, he received his Master of Science degree from the University of South Florida.

Petrone has also been very active in the community, offering his services and expertise in a number of ways. While living in the Tampa area, he delivered lectures on athletic training and steroid education at several schools. He also participated in the Great American Teach-In at four schools.

Petrone's efforts didn't stop there. For four years he was a co-organizer of the American Cancer Society's Longest Day of Golf Fundraiser, and he was a three-year volunteer with the University of Tampa's Renne Martinez Golf Fundraiser. He also participated in Paint Your Heart Out Tampa for four years.

Petrone and his wife Allyson have 13-year-old twin sons, Chas and Michael. His hobbies include yard work, golf, and Little League baseball with his kids.