Pittsburgh Steelers assistant trainer Ariko Iso, the only full-time female assistant athletic trainer in the NFL, will leave the team in a week to become the head athletic trainer at her alma mater, Oregon State.
Iso, who was with the Steelers since the 2002 season, replaces the dismissed Barney Graff. She must be approved by Oregon State University’s Administration and Human Resources Department.
Iso, who worked in three Super Bowls for the Steelers, returns to Corvallis, Ore. to work for the first time in 15 years. Prior to accepting the position with the Steelers, Iso spent five years as the associate athletic trainer for Portland State University where she served as the head football trainer.
During her collegiate career, Iso also served as the assistant athletic trainer at Foothill College in California for nearly three years. Iso praised the Steelers organization, the Rooney family, head athletic trainer John Norwig and fellow assistant trainer Ryan Grove.
In addition to her collegiate experience, Iso has served as the head trainer at the 2006 World 21-and-Under Track Championships, the 2001 World Cross Country Championships, the 1998 Yokohama International Ekiden and the 1996 East-West Shrine Football Game. Iso also worked at the Nike World Master Games, U.S. Mobil Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the 1994 World Cup Soccer tournament.
Iso graduated from Oregon State with a bachelor’s of science degree in health and human performance in 1993 and earned a master’s of art in physical education from San Jose State University in 1995.
