Article reposted from Delaware Blue Hens
Author: Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware head athletic trainer and assistant director of athletics Dan Watson has been honored by the National Athletic Trainers Association for his service to the organization and the outstanding work in the profession.
Watson, who has served at the University for the past 12 years, was selected to receive the Athletic Training Service Award. This prestigious national award recognizes NATA members for their exceptional contributions to the profession and the Association as well as their participation and leadership on the local and state levels. Members are eligible for this award after 20 years of membership and certification.
NATA award recipients will be recognized during the General Session at the 2017 NATA Convention in Houston on June 28.
“This is a special honor and I am grateful to be recognized on the national level for my service, leadership, and advancement of the Athletic Training profession,” said Watson. “We take great pride here at the University of Delaware in our reputation as one of the top athletic training programs in the country and none of this could be accomplished without the extraordinary dedication and passion of our athletic training staff and students.”
A native Delawarean, Watson earned his degree in athletic training with honors from Delaware in 1995 and his master’s degree in education, athletic training, and sports medicine from the University of Virginia in 1996.
After his graduation from Delaware, he served on the athletic training staffs at Virginia, Hampden-Sydney (Va.) College, Yale University, and Rutgers University before returning to his alma mater in 2004. He served as assistant athletic trainer and associate head athletic trainer before being named head athletic trainer in 2013.
He has presented a variety of topics at numerous conferences, including at the NATA Annual Symposium. He previously served as Clinical Coordinator of the UD ATEP and as President of the DATA.
Watson and his wife, Minda, reside in Newark with their son, Jude.