Minnesota Timberwolves
Address: 600 Hennepin Ave., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Arena Name: Target Center
Arena Name: Target Center
Phone: (612) 673-1600
Gregg Farnam
Vice President of Player Health/Head Athletic Trainer
Education: St. Could State University (B.S.); California University of Pennsylvania (M.S.)Hometown: Pine River, MN
NBATA Member Since: 1997
Gregg Farnam joined the Timberwolves prior to the 1997-98 season before being named the Head Athletic Trainer in September 2000.
Farnam began working as an Athletic Trainer with USA Basketball in 2001 for the gold-medal-winning United States men’s basketball team at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. He has worked with the United States Men’s U19 team that won a silver medal at the 2007 FIBA World Championships in Nova Sad, Serbia and the Team USA that won gold in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Farnam was a part of Team USA as they won their third consecutive gold medal at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. He has also worked with the U.S. Select Team in 2010 and 2012, as well as the National Team Mini Camp in Las Vegas during the summers of 2013 and 2015. Additionally, he provided medical coverage for the women’s volleyball team at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., in July 2003.
Farnam has also traveled to New Delhi (2008) and Singapore (2010) as the Athletic Trainer for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia. BWB is designed to work with local players to promote the game and encourage positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness, with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Farnam is a past chairman of the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) and has also served on the NBATA Executive Committee as Secretary and Western Conference Head Athletic Trainer Representative. He is a certified member of the National Trainers Association, the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
A native of Pine River, Minnesota, Farnam originally became interested in athletic training while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in physical education from St. Could State University. He furthered his education with a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotions from California University of Pennsylvania.
Farnam began working as an Athletic Trainer with USA Basketball in 2001 for the gold-medal-winning United States men’s basketball team at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. He has worked with the United States Men’s U19 team that won a silver medal at the 2007 FIBA World Championships in Nova Sad, Serbia and the Team USA that won gold in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Farnam was a part of Team USA as they won their third consecutive gold medal at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. He has also worked with the U.S. Select Team in 2010 and 2012, as well as the National Team Mini Camp in Las Vegas during the summers of 2013 and 2015. Additionally, he provided medical coverage for the women’s volleyball team at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., in July 2003.
Farnam has also traveled to New Delhi (2008) and Singapore (2010) as the Athletic Trainer for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia. BWB is designed to work with local players to promote the game and encourage positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness, with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Farnam is a past chairman of the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) and has also served on the NBATA Executive Committee as Secretary and Western Conference Head Athletic Trainer Representative. He is a certified member of the National Trainers Association, the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
A native of Pine River, Minnesota, Farnam originally became interested in athletic training while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in physical education from St. Could State University. He furthered his education with a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotions from California University of Pennsylvania.
David Hines
Vice President of Medical Operations & Performance Therapy
Education: Florida State University (BS); University of Findlay (DPT)NBATA Member Since: 2021
David Hines received his undergraduate degrees at Florida State University in Sports Medicine & Athletic Training and Exercise Science Degree. David went on to complete his graduate studies at the University of Findlay and received a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
He received the NFL PFATS minority scholarship in 2005 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He then completed two seasonal ATC internships with the New York Knicks in 2007 & 2008. He went on to work for the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health from 2009 to 2016 as a ATC and Physical Therapist in addition to helping the Cleveland Browns on game days and training camps through that timeline. The following year he went work with the Tennesse Titans for one season in 2017 then completed 4 seasons with the NFL Arizona Cardinals as the Rehab Coordinator from 2018 to 2021. David transitioned from the NFL to the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves prior to the 2021 NBA season as the VP Director of Medical Operations and Performance.
He received the NFL PFATS minority scholarship in 2005 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He then completed two seasonal ATC internships with the New York Knicks in 2007 & 2008. He went on to work for the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health from 2009 to 2016 as a ATC and Physical Therapist in addition to helping the Cleveland Browns on game days and training camps through that timeline. The following year he went work with the Tennesse Titans for one season in 2017 then completed 4 seasons with the NFL Arizona Cardinals as the Rehab Coordinator from 2018 to 2021. David transitioned from the NFL to the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves prior to the 2021 NBA season as the VP Director of Medical Operations and Performance.
Erin Sierer
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Education: Hofstra University (BS); Duke University (DPT)Hometown: Milford, CT
NBATA Member Since: 2019
Erin Sierer became the Timberwolves Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2019. Prior to joining the Wolves, she was Lead Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football.
Sierer was a Tactical Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer for US Army Special Operations Command from 2018-2019, as well as the US Marine Corps Special Operations command from 2013 to 2016, providing direct access care for acute, chronic and post-operative cases for active duty service members. From 2016-18, Sierer was the Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer for all Olympic Sports at Rutgers University. She has also worked with the general population in several Outpatient Orthopedic Clinics in NC and FL. Sierer is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association.
A native of Milford, CT, Sierer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Hofstra University, working with the Men’s Basketball, Baseball and Women’s Field Hockey teams. She went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University School of Medicine in 2007. Sierer and her husband, Patrick, reside in Minneapolis.
Sierer was a Tactical Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer for US Army Special Operations Command from 2018-2019, as well as the US Marine Corps Special Operations command from 2013 to 2016, providing direct access care for acute, chronic and post-operative cases for active duty service members. From 2016-18, Sierer was the Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer for all Olympic Sports at Rutgers University. She has also worked with the general population in several Outpatient Orthopedic Clinics in NC and FL. Sierer is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association.
A native of Milford, CT, Sierer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Hofstra University, working with the Men’s Basketball, Baseball and Women’s Field Hockey teams. She went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University School of Medicine in 2007. Sierer and her husband, Patrick, reside in Minneapolis.
Charles Hooks
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Education: Arkansas State University (BS); Long Island University - Brooklyn (MS); University of St. Augustine (DPT)Hometown: Bronx, NY
NBATA Member Since: 2021
Dr. Charles Hooks joined the Timberwolves as an assistant Athletic Trainer in 2021.
Dr. Hooks has spent time completing previous internships with the New York Knicks, New York Jets and the New York Liberty. In addition, he was the Head Athletic Trainer for MLS academy team for NYCFC and Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Nigerian National Basketball Team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was also a physical therapy director and partner of a clinic in New York City. Dr. Hooks has experience of taking care a wide range of various acute and chronic orthopedic conditions. He is a certified manual therapists, certified in dry needling, corrective exercise specialist and performance enhancement specialist as additional specialties. Using his multiple disciplines, he enjoys applying an eclectic approach to therapy.
A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Dr. Hooks received his doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine founded by Stanley Paris, one of the founders the APTA’s orthopedic section. He received his Master's in Exercise Physiology from Long Island University - Brooklyn, and Bachelor's of Science specializing in Athletic Training from Arkansas State University. When he is not at work, he enjoys traveling and experiencing new places.
Dr. Hooks has spent time completing previous internships with the New York Knicks, New York Jets and the New York Liberty. In addition, he was the Head Athletic Trainer for MLS academy team for NYCFC and Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Nigerian National Basketball Team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was also a physical therapy director and partner of a clinic in New York City. Dr. Hooks has experience of taking care a wide range of various acute and chronic orthopedic conditions. He is a certified manual therapists, certified in dry needling, corrective exercise specialist and performance enhancement specialist as additional specialties. Using his multiple disciplines, he enjoys applying an eclectic approach to therapy.
A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Dr. Hooks received his doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine founded by Stanley Paris, one of the founders the APTA’s orthopedic section. He received his Master's in Exercise Physiology from Long Island University - Brooklyn, and Bachelor's of Science specializing in Athletic Training from Arkansas State University. When he is not at work, he enjoys traveling and experiencing new places.
Jesse Geffon
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Education: Florida State University (BS); University of Oklahoma (MSHRM)Hometown: Treasure Island, FL
NBATA Member Since: 2022
Jesse Geffon enters his first season as Timberwolves Assistant Athletic Trainer. Prior to joining the Wolves, he was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Grand Rapid Gold, the G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets.
Geffon was the Head of Performance Medicine and Performance Medicine Therapist for Cirque du Soleil based in Las Vegas and Riviera Maya, Mexico, where he provided injury care and documentation for all artists and acrobats, staged side emergency response care and alternative rescue techniques for circus apparatuses and performed concussion testing and pre participation/ intra participation injury prevention testing and techniques. Geffon has spent time for a variety of Arena Football League teams in medical and sport performance departments, including with the Baltimore Brigade, Los Angeles Kiss and the San Jose SaberCats.
Geffon received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Florida State University and went on to earn his Masters in Human Resources from the University of Oklahoma. He currently resides in Minneapolis.
Geffon was the Head of Performance Medicine and Performance Medicine Therapist for Cirque du Soleil based in Las Vegas and Riviera Maya, Mexico, where he provided injury care and documentation for all artists and acrobats, staged side emergency response care and alternative rescue techniques for circus apparatuses and performed concussion testing and pre participation/ intra participation injury prevention testing and techniques. Geffon has spent time for a variety of Arena Football League teams in medical and sport performance departments, including with the Baltimore Brigade, Los Angeles Kiss and the San Jose SaberCats.
Geffon received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Florida State University and went on to earn his Masters in Human Resources from the University of Oklahoma. He currently resides in Minneapolis.
Michael Austin
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Education: Old Dominion University (BS); University of Virginia (MS)Hometown: Richmond, VA
NBATA Member Since: 2023
Michael Austin joined the Timberwolves as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2023. Prior to joining the Wolves, he was the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Somerset Patriots, the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees. In addition, he interned with the Arizona Cardinals Football Club during their 2019 Summer Training Camp.
Michael is a Corrective Exercise and Performance Enhancement Specialist, Graston Technique Specialist and certified in dry needling. Additionally, Michael has earned certifications from the Gray Institute in 3D Movement Analysis & Performance System, Applied Functional Science and Functional Soft Tissue Transformation.
A native of Richmond, VA, Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree from Old Dominion University in 2018. He went on to earn his Master of Science in Athletic Training degree from the University of Virginia in 2020.
Michael is a Corrective Exercise and Performance Enhancement Specialist, Graston Technique Specialist and certified in dry needling. Additionally, Michael has earned certifications from the Gray Institute in 3D Movement Analysis & Performance System, Applied Functional Science and Functional Soft Tissue Transformation.
A native of Richmond, VA, Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree from Old Dominion University in 2018. He went on to earn his Master of Science in Athletic Training degree from the University of Virginia in 2020.