Category: Awards

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TWU NAMED LSC ATHLETIC TRAINING STAFF OF THE YEAR

The athletic training staff at Texas Woman’s University was honored by their peers with the 11th annual Lone Star Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year award for the 2014-15 academic year.

TWU claimed the athletic training award for the league, which consists of nine member institutions with seven in Texas, one in Oklahoma and one in New Mexico.

Kris Ring, head athletic trainer, guides the Pioneers athletic training staff with assistance from Valerie Stevenson and Nikki Sanchez along with students Kimberly Smith, Taylor Wooten and Jesse Frankland.

The LSC Athletic Training Staff of the Year award is presented annually to the top institution as voted by the head athletic trainer of each member school.

The purpose of the award is to raise awareness of the athletic training profession. Criteria for the award include the athletic training staff’s hospitality toward visiting athletic trainers and teams; preparedness with supplies, equipment and services for visiting athletic trainers and teams; preparedness for emergency situations; and care for injured athletes from visiting teams.

Lone Star Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year
2014-15     Texas Woman’s
2013-14     Angelo State
2012-13     Tarleton State
2011-12      Midwestern State
2010-11      Eastern New Mexico
2009-10     Midwestern State
2008-09    Eastern New Mexico and Southwestern Oklahoma
2007-08     Midwestern State, Southeastern Oklahoma and Northeastern State
2006-07     Abilene Christian and Southwestern Oklahoma
2005-06     Angelo State and Southeastern Oklahoma
2004-05     Angelo State and Southwestern Oklahoma

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://www.lonestarconference.org/news/2015/7/30/GEN_0730150535.aspx?path=general

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Former Glenbrook South Athletic Trainer Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Longtime former Glenbrook South High School athletic trainer Brian Robinson has been named to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) Hall of Fame – the highest honor an athletic trainer can receive.

Robinson was one of eight to be inducted to the Hall of Fame at NATA’s 66th Clinical Symposia in June. The Hall of Fame now includes 296 members.

According to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), Robinson – who served as head athletic trainer at GBS from 1977 to 2014 – has “impacted the profession through his passionate advocacy for athletic trainers, particularly those in secondary schools.”

At GBS, he developed a concussion management program, a rehabilitation program for injured athletes and a database for tracking injuries and treatment plans.

“Since there are few high school athletic trainers in the NATA Hall of Fame, the recognition is very gratifying but as you know, anyone that works with high school students never got into education for the awards,” said Robinson, who is now employed by Northern Illinois University. “I had the privilege of providing comprehensive athletic health care to high school student-athletes for 38 years; 37 of those in Illinois at Glenbrook South.”

When Robinson was hired by GBS in 1977, there were not many athletic trainers at Illinois high schools, but now more than 60 percent of them employ the services of trainers.

“Hopefully soon, every Illinois high school student-athlete will have access to an athletic trainer on a daily basis,” Robinson added.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://patch.com/illinois/glenview/former-glenbrook-south-trainer-inducted-hall-fame-0

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Rick Sage Named HAAC Athletic Trainer Of The Year

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) announced their conference awards and CMU athletic trainer Rick Sage was named the top athletic trainer in the conference.

“Rick (Sage) has done a tremendous job servicing the student athletes in our department,” said CMU Athletic Director Brian Spielbauer. “He has been with us for many years as a student, a coach, and as an athletic trainer. We are very proud of our entire athletic training staff and program, and Rick is a great leader within that department. He has a high energy level, and very high skill level in his profession. We are very fortunate to have him with us at CMU.”

Sage just finished his eighth year as an athletic trainer for the Eagles. He had also previously served as the pitching coach for the Eagles’ baseball team, prior to his full-time appointment as one of the athletic trainers. Sage received his undergraduate degree in Athletic Training from Central Methodist in 2001. He then received a Master’s of Science in Physical Education, Exercise, and Sports Science with an Emphasis in Athletic Training at Central Missouri in 2004.

“This is a well-deserved award for Rick (Sage),” said CMU Athletic Training Education Program Director Wade Welton. “He has put a lot of time and energy into providing quality healthcare for our athletes.”

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

http://cmueagles.com/news/2015/7/29/GEN_0729154229.aspx

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Weber State professor wins national athletic trainer award

Weber State University received national attention last month as Valerie Herzog, director of the WSU Graduate Athletic Training Program, was named one of the 2015 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainers by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.

“The Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award recognizes NATA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, advocacy and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer,” reads the NATA website.

The annual award is given to trainers who have been members of NATA for at least 20 years and are dedicated to many athletic organizations and helping the community at national and district levels. Herzog has been a member of NATA for roughly 22 years.

“I was nominated by a colleague, but had to solicit several letters of support, at least one from an athletic trainer who is in the NATA Hall of Fame,” said Herzog.

In addition to that, she also provided a list of her services to the community, research she has conducted and presentations she has given.

Herzog is the President of the Utah Athletic Trainers’ Association and a board member for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. She has also worked to help certify athletic trainers and organizing athletic trainer conferences.

Her research has been published in multiple journals. Topics of Herzog’s research has included the effect of salted ice bags on the cooling of muscle tissue and building relationships with clinical instructors.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized in this way, and I feel very blessed that Weber State University allows me the time and flexibility to serve my profession,” Herzog said. “I want to make sure that I continue to live up to what the award stands for.”

She has also been recognized for many different awards in the past, including the John A. Lindquist Award in 2013 for her commitment to mentoring Weber State University students.

Herzog also encourages her students to volunteer in the community. She contacts local events such as the Dew Tour, Special Olympics and marathons to help them out.

“The students assist with providing medical care for any injuries that occur during the events,” she said. “These experiences give them the opportunity to work with different patient populations and develop cultural competence.”

The title was presented at NATA’s 66th Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in St. Louis on June 25. About 12,000 athletic trainers attended the annual conference.

“It felt amazing, and I am so very grateful for all of my colleagues over the years who gave me the opportunity to serve our profession in so many ways,” Herzog said.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

http://www.wsusignpost.com/2015/07/27/weber-state-professor-wins-national-athletic-trainer-award/

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Ringer and Anderson inducted into OATA Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association recently inducted two members to its 2015 Hall of Fame Class. Sydney Ringer of Oklahoma Christian University and Scott Anderson of the University of Oklahoma are this year’s honorees.

Ringer is the head athletic trainer for Oklahoma Christian University as well as a preceptor for the Athletic Training Education Program at The University of Central Oklahoma. As an athletic trainer in Oklahoma, Sydney has served the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association for more than 20 years. She is a past member of the OATA executive committee serving in the office of secretary, vice president and president from 1996-2002.

Ringer has continued to serve the OATA as its scholarship committee chair for the past 10 years. On a national level, she served on the NATA women in athletic training committee from 1999-2003.

Anderson is a clinical instructor and the head athletic trainer for the University of Oklahoma. He was one of the few that worked diligently to establish the Oklahoma Athletic Training Practice Act in 1981. This document continues to provide for the governance and the growth of not only the profession of athletic training in Oklahoma, but it also serves the expanding scope of practice of today’s athletic training clinician.

Anderson has worked for decades to improve health and safety in sport on a national level as well. He is the current president of the College Athletic Trainers’ Society and was the co-chair of the NATA’s Task Force for Sickle Cell Trait in Athletes.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

http://www.edmondsun.com/news/oc-s-ringer-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/article_9ab59b6e-316f-11e5-97bc-3f0bc68d548e.html

 

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Jeff Stone Honored as GNAC Athletic Trainer of the Year

Suffolk University head athletic trainer Jeff Stone has been recognized as the 2015 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athletic Trainer of the Year, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The honor is the third for Stone, who won the inaugural GNAC Athletic Trainer award in 2008 before earning the honor again in 2011.

Stone, who is entering his 11th year at Suffolk this fall, serves as the athletic trainer liaison to the GNAC athletic directors council and coordinated the conference’s trainers’ meeting last August at the 2014 GNAC Professional Development Seminar (PDS).

“This award comes as no surprise to anybody who knows or works with Jeff,” said Suffolk Director of Athletics Cary McConnell. “He is an invaluable asset to our department and always puts the well-being of our student-athletes first in his actions and decisions.”

A 1976 graduate of Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Stone in 2014-15 served as athletic trainer for the GNAC Men’s Golf, Baseball and Softball Championships.

At Suffolk, Stone is an advisor for “Headucation,” which is a student-sponsored organization that raises awareness about concussions and head injuries and connects students to the appropriate health and wellness departments on campus.

Stone was a 2012 inductee into the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Hall of Fame, as he is only one of 17 trainers in the state of Massachusetts to receive induction. Throughout a career that has spanned more than 35 years, Stone also received the 2012 Cramer Award for outstanding service to the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA), as well as the 1991 EATA Henry Schein-MBN Scholastic Athletic Trainer Award.

The NATA District One Director from 2004-10, Stone is a Past President for the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts (ATOM) and was inducted into the ATOM Hall of Fame in 2011.

The longtime Suffolk Rams trainer was also enshrined into the Bay State Games Hall of Fame in 2006. He has served as the organization’s medical coordinator since 2009.

Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

http://www.thegnac.com/news/15-16/150722_Stone_Trainer_of_Yr

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North Carolina Schools Declared Safe

With high school athletes accounting for an estimated 2 million injuries each year, south Charlotte parents of high school student-athletes can rest easily knowing their children attend “safe sports” schools.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) announced 19 Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schools, with North Carolina High School Athletic Association athletic programs, received the Safe Sports School Award, and some south Charlotte high schools made the mark.

Ardrey Kell, South Mecklenburg, East Mecklenburg, Myers Park and Providence high schools earned the award, which recognizes the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.

“This award recognizes the contributions and commitment of schools across the country that are implementing safe sports policies and best practices to ensure athletes can do what they love best and have the appropriate care in place to prevent, manage and treat injuries should they occur,” NATA President Scott Sailor said.

The award was launched in March 2013 as part of the Secondary School Athletic Trainers Committee of the NATA. Schools pay a $150 fee and apply for the award on an ongoing basis.

“The school must have a comprehensive athletic health care plan, promote safe and appropriate environments, provide proper sporting equipment, develop injury intervention strategies, rehearse an emergency action plan and promote a culture of safe play,” said Ellen Satlof, NATA public relations manager.

The U.S. Centers of Disease Control reported organized sports are on the rise, with nearly 30 million adolescents participating in youth sports in the U.S.

“There has been an increase in competitive sports, which are, unfortunately, not without risk. Brain injury/concussion, cardiac arrest, heat stroke, cervical spine fractures and other injuries and illnesses are potentially life-threatening,” former NATA president Jim Thornton said in a news release.

CMS partnered with Carolinas HealthCare System (CHCS) in 2011 to provide certified athletic trainers and help bridge the gap between health care providers and student-athletes in response to a growing concern nationwide about injuries among student-athletes, particularly concussions and cardiac deaths.

High school athletes account for an estimated 500,000 doctors visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year, according to a study conducted by doctors and certified athletic trainers John Powell and Kim Barber-Foss.

“CMS values our longstanding partnership with Carolinas Healthcare System. The NATA Safe Sports School First Team Award achieved by our high schools is due in large part to our partnership with Carolinas HealthCare and the effort of athletic directors and athletic trainers in each school,” Susan Doran, CMS athletic director, said in the release. “We’re committed to providing quality care for our student-athletes, as well as a safe environment for them and their families. This award recognizes a standard of care provided to our student-athletes that ultimately improves their ability to perform at their highest level and enhances the environment in which they compete.”

Kevin Hinson, athletics director at South Meck, said the partnership has been a “load off of him” to ensure the safety of his student-athletes.

South Meck was one of the first four schools to receive a CHCS athletic trainer and Hinson said it’s made a big difference. Previously, schools would have to find a sports medicine teacher, who also was a certified athletic trainer, to head the departments’ athletic training, which Hinson said could be difficult to find.

“Having (CHCS) as a partner has been really huge for all schools so that we have an equal availability,” he added. “There is always a risk with athletics and to know that we have somebody qualified, who is really good with communicating with the parents, makes a difference.”

Brian Knab, athletics director at Ardrey Kell, said the school, which has more student-athletes than Queens University of Charlotte, would not be able to ensure the safety of its athletes without the athletic trainers in place.

He said Jacqui Frithsen, the school’s head athletic trainer, helps athletes even before practices with preventative care.

Leigh Ann Caldwell, manager of sports medicine with CHCS, believes some parents might not realize all athletic trainers’ tasks and the qualifications needed to take on the role.

“Athletic trainers are education and trained to recognize evaluate and treat injuries,” Caldwell said. “That’s what they go to school for.”

She explained an athletic trainer must attend a four-year program at an accredited university, pass a national board exam and obtain a state license.

“This is not something you can get over the Internet in 30 minutes,” Caldwell added. “It’s an incredible background and experience.”

All Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schools have a Carolinas HealthCare System-certified athletic trainers that work with the school year round

“It’s great recognition for CMS to show their parents, athletes and families that (the athletic trainers) put the care and health of their student-athletes first,” Caldwell said.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:                                                                         http://thecharlotteweekly.com/education/2015/07/athletic-departments-receive-national-recognition-for-athletic-trainers/
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NOONAN receives Hall call

Terry Noonan, director of athletic training services at the University of Iowa, was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame on June 25 in St. Louis.

Noonan, 59, began working at the UI in April, 2010. He has been in the profession since 1981. “It means a lot more once you take it all in,” Noonan said. “You don’t set out to get into the Hall of Fame, but once you get in, you’re honored. It’s amazing hearing `thank you’ from the number of people you have influenced. You get a real perspective of your achievement when you are informed that about one percent of close to 30,000 members of the National Athletic Trainers Association are in the Hall of Fame.”

A native of Dubuque, Iowa, Noonan received a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration with a minor in business administration from Loras College in 1978. He went to Eastern Kentucky University and earned a master’s degree in recreation administration in 1979.

Noonan wanted to become an athletic trainer, so he enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa and functioned as a graduate assistant and completed athletic training courses. After working two years at Waterloo (Iowa) Columbus High School (1981-83), Noonan returned to UNI as assistant (1983-85) and head athletic trainer (1985-99). From 1999-2007, he was at Oklahoma State University as director of sports medicine/athletic training program. Noonan made another stop at UNI as executive director of human sport and performance program from 2007-10 while completing doctoral study in rehabilitative medicine.

Noonan received news that he was going into the Hall of Fame two years ago, but he delayed his induction until it was in a city within NATA’s District V, where he was president from 1999-2005. The ceremony in St. Louis also made it easier for his wife, son, brother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, bother-in-law, and sister-in-law to attend.

Noonan began athletic training at Loras after his baseball coach taught him a Cramer course.

“That got me started,” Noonan said. “I didn’t have much to do and (Loras) needed somebody to help with basketball.”

At Iowa, Noonan oversees policies, procedures, and insurance for all 24 sports. His main responsibility is with the sport of volleyball. There are four associate directors of athletic training services at the UI: Russ Haynes, Mike Lawler, Doug West, and Nobutaka Takashima.

Of all the stops Noonan has made over the years, nothing has felt more like home than being at Iowa.

“This is the best environment I have worked in,” Noonan said. “It is a family atmosphere and it is a lot more diverse than other places I have been. (Points to the Tigerhawk logo on his shirt) It is this emblem. You can’t walk through an airport without somebody saying `Go Hawks.'”

Noonan is a member of the Iowa Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, District V of the NATA Hall of Fame, and he received the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award from the NATA in June 2012. He holds Certification in Active Release Techniques for the total body, and Certification in First Aid and CPR. Noonan is the first athletic trainer from the UI to be inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.

Noonan and his wife, Jeri, have a son, Casey, who works for a land management company in Oklahoma City.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.hawkeyesports.com/genrel/071615aad.html

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Gardner-Webb’s Kevin Jones Named 2015 Division I Athletic Trainer of the Year

Longtime Gardner-Webb University Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Training Training Kevin Jones was named College/University Athletic Trainers’ Committee 2015 Division I Athletic Trainer of the Year Thursday at the annual NATA Convention.

Jones (MA, ATC, LAT), who is entering his 32nd season with the Runnin’ Bulldogs, also serves as an Assistant Professor and as a Preceptor in the athletic training major in Gardner-Webb University’s School of Preventative and Rehabilitative Health Sciences.

“I feel honored to win such a prestigious award and to represent Gardner-Webb University,” said Jones. “I have been very fortunate to have been surrounded by great mentors, co-workers, students and student-athletes.

“The true reward in athletic training is to see others succeed. I have been blessed to share in their successes.”

Jones took over the Gardner-Webb athletic training program in 1984. His tireless effort has consistently driven the program’s reputation to the highest level and Jones has been the catalyst in the addition of athletic training as an academic major.

Since his arrival on campus, countless student athletic trainers and other staff have gone on to successful careers in the field. One of Jones’ pupils, current Mars Hill head athletic trainer Allen Shelley (MA, ATC, LAT), was honored as the 2015 Division II Athletic Trainer of the Year on Thursday morning in St. Louis.

Shelley earned his undergraduate degree from Gardner-Webb in 1992 and a master’s degree from GWU in 1995.

Jones was honored in 2007 by Gardner-Webb’s athletic department with its Hall of Fame Meritorious Service Award and was named Gardner-Webb University Male Staff Member of the year in 2014.

“This is a great honor for Kevin, personally and professionally, and we join he and his family in celebrating,” said Gardner-Webb Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch.

“His work over the past three decades to advance the quality our athletic training program has been instrumental in the ability to provide student-athletes with top-notch care.”

During his early years at Gardner-Webb, Jones spent time as the school’s track and field coach. An avid cyclist, Jones played a critical role in bringing the 1996 U.S. Olympic Cycling Trials Women’s Road Race to Boiling Springs, N.C.

Jones earned a degree in physical education with an emphasis in athletic training from Lenoir-Rhyne in 1984 and graduated with a master’s degree in physical education from Gardner-Webb in 1986. He and his wife, Shelly, have a daughter, Taylor, and a son, Ryan.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.gwusports.com/sports/fball/2014-15/releases/20150625wp1nx1