Daemen Announces Graduate Ceremony Commencement Speaker

By | March 21, 2023
Nate Breske

Nate Breske

With graduation celebrations quickly approaching, Daemen University is excited to announce Nate Breske, Head Athletic Trainer for the Buffalo Bills, as the graduate ceremony speaker. 

Since being hired by the Bills in 2018, Breske and his athletic training staff have been highly ranked in the NFL in terms of least number of games missed due to injury. As a result the Bills have also ranked highly in performance on the field as they have earned a playoff berth in four consecutive seasons.

Breske also played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic of helping the Bills organization manage through the protocols set forth by the NFL.

Breske was an integral member of the medical team that revived Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati on January 2, 2023. After Hamlin went into cardiac arrest, he and the medical staff took quick action, performed CPR, and prevented a tragic outcome. 

Kleinhans Music hall during commencementGiven the incredible job done by the Bills sports medicine team, there has been a spotlight cast on the entire industry. This has caused an increase in conversations about CPR and an interest in the sports medicine career path. The medical staff has also been recognized by the Bills and across the NFL for their heroic actions to save Hamlin’s life.

Before joining the Bills, Breske was the Head Athletic Trainer with the Chicago Bears for three seasons. He also spent seven years with the San Francisco 49ers and was an intern for the New England Patriots. 

Breske received his BS from Northern State University, where he played football, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer. 

He currently resides in Orchard Park with his wife, Tia, and three children, Jherek, Keon and Emsley. 

Daemen’s commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 20, at Kleinhans Music Hall. The undergraduate ceremony will begin at noon, followed by the graduate ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

More information about commencement can be found at daemen.edu/commencement.