BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- The CSU Bakersfield Athletics Department has received a major gift of support for the Sports Medicine Department.

This generous donation will allow the Athletics Department to improve student-athlete well-being, create more staff positions in the Sports Medicine Department, and continue to enhance the improvements on CSUB's facilities as mapped out in the Athletics Master Plan.

The gift was made by Central Valley Physical Therapy and Dr. Zach Luce. A native of Californian, Dr. Luce is the owner and clinic director of Central Valley Physical Therapy.

Besides generously donating to the `Runners, Central Valley PT is an active member in the community helping annually with local charitable events, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Heroes and Helmets for Hope, Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House, Pink Heals of Kern County, and Kern County Concussion Symposium. The company has also assisted in athletic training services at the 2016 California State Wrestling Meet hosted locally and provided physical therapy services for the Bakersfield Condors and the former Bakersfield Jam for many years.

Dr. Luce admires CSUB's growth in the athletics program and wants to recognize the University for providing support to its student-athletes while embodying Central Valley PT's mission statement, "to provide the best care to the best communities." In addition to this donation, Dr. Zach Luce volunteered with the CSUB Athletics Department last year to provide Physical Therapy to CSUB student-athletes. He will continue in this role throughout this year.

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with CSUB Athletics and the Sports Medicine team," said Dr. Zach Luce.  "Great things are happening and we enjoy being part of a growing program with a clear vision. We are looking forward to bringing to the student athletes the same level of care that Central Valley PT patients have come to know and expect."

CSUB's Deputy Athletics Director Dena Freeman-Patton says Dr. Luce's donation will help the program better serve student-athletes by providing them the best care. "We are pleased with the partnership and this transformative gift from Central Valley Physical Therapy. It is our hope that this gift will serve as a catalyst as we look to enhance the student-athlete experience," said Freeman-Patton.

Central Valley PT, the 2012 Jane L. Snyder National Private Practice honoree, is conveniently located just across the street from campus next to Trader Joes. Central Valley Physical Therapy specializes in Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. Dr. Luce holds a Board specialization in both Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. In addition to general Physical Therapy services, CVPT also offers treatment for arthritis treatment and prevention as well as post-operative rehabilitation, sports performance coaching and wellness classes. For more information, visit CentralValleyPT.com.