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