Top

CCRI Massage Therapy Adjunct Professor Inspires Students Through Life Experiences

Boat

June 21, 2019

Some might think Lou Ann Botsford always has fate on her side. Not quite, she says.
“We’re all scared to try something new,” Botsford said, “but this is my approach to life: If you wait until you think you’re ready, you won’t accomplish anything.”

Botsford has never been afraid to take risks. At 52 years old, she changed careers, transitioning from early childhood development to sports massage therapy. Now in her 11th year as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Newport County Campus, Botsford continues to inspire and instruct students through her own life experiences, most of which stem from her willingness to roll up her sleeves and wade into uncharted waters.

In addition to teaching sports massage therapy, Botsford owns her own practice – Finish Line Massage, LLC, in Cranston – and has worked with numerous collegiate, professional and Olympic athletes over the past 12 years. After randomly applying to a training program for Olympic medical volunteers, she landed a role as the massage therapist for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ski Jump Team from 2012 through 2014, including a trip to Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 winter games. She is also an award-winning chair for the Rhode Island American Massage Therapy Association (RIAMTA).

Having completed 45 road races, 18 triathlons and an additional 13 long-distance cycling events – most of them “later in life,” she said – Botsford “walks the walk,” too. She’s experienced the same ailments as many of her clients, which enhances her credibility and allows her to provide the best treatment possible.

Later this month, she will again lend her expertise to students as CCRI launches a summer-long therapeutic massage program offering massage treatments to the public at the CCRI Student Massage Clinic in Newport. Botsford will also teach two summer courses for introductory and advanced learners.

“I’m living proof it’s not too late to do anything,” she said.
Her career in rehabilitative health began rather unexpectedly. Despite a rewarding job working with children, she longed for something more impactful. On a whim, she attended a wellness fair and happened upon a therapist providing free chair massages. She struck up a conversation, grabbed a business card on the way out and eventually attended the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, Mass., earning her certification in 2007.

That inner drive to peer around the corner and see what lies ahead has guided Botsford through most of her greatest challenges. After a chance meeting with a case manager from the VA Boston Healthcare System in the parking lot of Narragansett Beach, she began working with Adaptive Sports New England, a non-profit organization geared toward increasing sports participation for those with disabilities.

She’s also been a medical volunteer at the Boston Marathon for 13 years. There, she met retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Cedric King, who lost both legs when he stepped on an explosive device in Afghanistan in 2012. Botsford helped him recover after he ran his first Marathon on prosthetics in 2014 and finally reunited with the 42-year-old veteran in April when King crossed the finish line on a handcycle.

Since meeting King five years ago, Botsford has used excerpts from his book and clips from his nationwide motivational speeches in her classroom as a way to teach students the importance of connecting with their clients on a personal level. She almost considered skipping this year’s Marathon after running a race of her own in New York the previous day. As fate would have it, she bumped into King in the VIP tent.

“I’m glad I went. I would’ve missed an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I hadn’t seen him since our first meeting and I had been looking for him every year. I was overjoyed. He really appreciated how much he’s changed my life.”

Fate also kept Botsford out of harm’s way in 2013 when terrorists ignited two pressure cooker bombs near the Marathon finish line, killing three people and injuring several hundred. Botsford was about to take a break and head toward the finish line around 2:45 p.m. that day when her supervisor asked her to treat one more client. She obliged. The first bomb went off several minutes later.

Luck and happenstance are only part of Botsford’s story. What others consider strange twists of fate are the result of her motivation and inquisitive nature, both of which have led her to a successful career in massage therapy. Botsford continues to prove it’s never late to roll the dice and try something new.

“I just became open to the idea of, ‘I’m not sure where this is going, but I’m going to follow it,’” she said. “It may not be smart sometimes, but it can lead to amazing things. If you are a naysayer, you’re not going to go anywhere.”

Share this story

Latest News

CCRI Partners with United Way to Open 211 Satellite Office

CCRI Partners with United Way to Open 211 Satellite Office

April 29, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Read More

CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program

CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program

April 23, 2025

Warwick, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Ophthalmic Technician training program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. This 120-hour program, beginning in May 2025, is free of charge and designed to prepare participants for immediate employment in a fast-growing healthcare field.

Read More

CCRI Foundation Elects Four New Members to its Board of Trustees

CCRI Foundation Elects Four New Members to its Board of Trustees

April 23, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees. We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.

Read More

CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program

CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program

April 17, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.

Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.

Read More

Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence

Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence

April 10, 2025

Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence

Read More

CCRI Achieves Gold Status as Military Friendly® School

CCRI Achieves Gold Status as Military Friendly® School

April 10, 2025

Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.​

Read More

CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses

CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses

April 08, 2025

WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways in the skilled trades. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. at CCRI’s Warwick Campus.

Read More

CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic to Host Free Sealant and Fluoride Community Day for Children & Teens

CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic to Host Free Sealant and Fluoride Community Day for Children & Teens

March 31, 2025

The CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic’s upcoming Sealant and Fluoride Community Day on Friday, April 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Lincoln Campus will provide free dental sealants and fluoride treatments for children and teens ages 6 to 17. The event will be led by CCRI’s dental hygiene students, who will provide preventative care under the supervision of licensed professionals.

Read More

Lucas Johnson Named Rhode Island's 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar

Lucas Johnson Named Rhode Island's 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar

March 17, 2025

Warwick, RI- Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) student and Warwick resident, Lucas Johnson, has been named a 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.

Read More

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

March 07, 2025

NEWPORT, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) today announced the launch of an associate in arts degree in Culinary Craftsmanship on CCRI’s Newport Campus in fall 2025. To support this initiative, Governor McKee is proposing $850,000 to create a Culinary and Hospitality hub at CCRI’s Newport Campus. The hub will serve as a state-of-the-art learning environment designed to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals in Rhode Island’s workforce.

Read More

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

March 05, 2025

For students like Esther Duran, of Providence, Wanda Wrobleski, of Cumberland, and Richard Garcia, of Providence, the journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare has been transformed thanks to the Community College of Rhode Island and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Funded by a $75,000 grant from the legendary rock band’s foundation, All Within My Hands, this initiative provides financial support to students enrolled in CCRI’s Medical Assistant and Patient Support Specialist workforce training programs—helping to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their education and career goals.

Read More

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

March 05, 2025

Warwick, RI- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Women’s Basketball teamshowcased their dominance once again in the NJCAA Region XXI Conference, securing the regional title for the fourth year in a row and, punching their ticket to the National Tournament.

Read More

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

March 04, 2025

WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Players continue their 2024–25 season with a bold and thought-provoking production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, running March 6–9 at the Bobby Hackett Theatre on CCRI's Knight Campus.

Read More

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

February 14, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.

Read More

Black History Month

Black History Month

February 10, 2025

February marks  Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country; a time to acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history; and a time to walk alongside today’s Black leaders as they lead the work to create a truly anti-racist, inclusive community for all.

Read More

Upcoming Events
Jan.
1

English Language Studies (ELS) - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Driver Ed for Teens - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Courses - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Maritime Electric Boat Programs - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Westerly Education Center (WEC)

Jan.
1

Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

Teacher Assistant - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Motorcycle Rider Education - Ongoing Seasonal

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Para-Pro Review Classes and Testing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Bridge Program - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

Global Wind Organization - Basic Safety Training - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Flanagan Campus