Jennifer Reiner-Marcello (BSESS ’02): Unlocking Potential of Athlete Performance & Student Success

2025

by Alisha Katz, APR, MAMC

With extensive experience working in the sports performance industry, Reiner-Marcello is helping to bridge the gap between industry and student opportunities through her involvement on the Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology’s Industry Advisory Board.  

For over 20 years, Jennifer Reiner-Marcello, D.C., CCSP, IAMA, CSCS (BSESS ’02), has worked in the sports performance industry for some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. As a consultant, she manages every aspect of player performance for professional sports clients and serves as a team consultant. In addition to her roles as a consultant, wife, and mom of two, she also gives back her time by serving on the industry advisory board for the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, or APK.

As a former athlete, part of the UF Cheerleading Program while studying at the university, Reiner-Marcello found her home in the College of Health & Human Performance, studying exercise and sport science.

“I initially went in [to UF] knowing I wanted to do something in the sports industry but also in medicine,” Reiner-Marcello said. “I loved engrossing myself in the sport and movement space. I knew I found my calling.”  

Upon graduating, Reiner-Marcello pursued chiropractic school and, thereafter, joined the University of California San Diego, or UCSD, sports medicine team as the team chiropractor for 20+ UCSD varsity athletics. From supporting training to rehabilitation, she worked with a variety of injuries and gained exposure to various athletic disciplines, developing an affinity for golf, tennis and baseball. From there, she entered the private sector, opening five multidisciplinary sports rehabilitation clinics in San Diego, and later pursued working with professional baseball teams, including the San Diego Padres and the Minnesota Twins, before becoming a private consultant.

In 2023, a friend and fellow Florida alum reached out, letting her know about the formation of an APK industry board within the college.

“I decided it was time to give back and be that person for somebody,” Reiner-Marcello said.

Since joining the board, she has participated in panel discussions and breakout sessions with students, giving them the opportunity to ask any and all questions about the industry.

“In the academic space, it’s often hard for professors to keep their finger on the pulse of new career developments since it is moving so quickly,” Reiner-Marcello said. “It’s our job as board members to come back to professors and students and say, ‘Hey, here’s what’s out there for you.’”

She shares that she has also been able to help students make connections with the right people and help identify which advanced degree they may need depending on their career path. She also encourages students to proactively contact board members for support and guidance.

“Talk to board members about what your interests are so that we can bring to light some things that you may not be considering at this point,” Reiner-Marcello said.

In looking at the future of the board, she envisions growing the number of opportunities to interact with students and expanding the board to bring more expertise.

“There are so many different professions within the APK umbrella,” Reiner-Marcello said. “By bringing more jobs and industries to the board, we’re helping our students know what is out there.”

Read more content from UF HHP’s Performance Magazine.