MidAmerica Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame

1
Mid-America Athletic Trainers Association Hall
of Fame
2
Byron Jack Bird

• 1994 Inductee
• Byron began his association with
• athletics as a football player at
• Oklahoma State University. He then
• enlisted in the Marines where he served
• as an officer with distinction, lost his leg
• to artillery fire, and was highly
• decorated for his service. He then
• returned to athletics and served as an
• Athletic Trainer for the Los Angeles Dons for
  one year. In 1950, Byron returned to Oklahoma
  State as Assistant Athletic Trainer. In 1961, he
  was appointed Head Athletic Trainer and served
  OSU athletes until his death in 1983. He was
  inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1979.

3
Charles Cramer

• 1994 Inductee
• Chuck Cramer was the founder and a
• Board member of Cramer Products, Inc.
• As a sporting goods industry pioneer he
• developed the concept of athletic injury
• care. Cramer was a founder of the
• National Sporting Goods Association
• and the National Athletic Trainers
• Association. At the 1932 Olympic Games in Los
  Angeles, Chuck, his brother Frank, and three
  other Athletic Trainers were the first athletic
  trainers to serve at the Olympics. Cramer is a
  member of the National Sorting Goods Association
  Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Helms (now
  the NATA) Hall of Fame in 1962.

4
Frank Cramer

• 1994 Inductee
• In 1929, Frank Cramer joined the
• recently founded Cramer Chemical
• Company. He served as President of
• this company for 25 years. His
• enthusiastic promotion of the sporting
• goods industry resulted in his induction
• to the Sporting Goods Dealers Hall of
• Fame in 1956. He served on the Medical
  Committee of the U.S. Olympics for 16 years. He
  also published many articles and lectured on
  Athletic Training throughout the world. He is a
  member of the NAIA Hall of Fame and, in 1962, was
  inducted into the Helms (now the NATA) Hall of
  Fame.

5
Oliver J. De Victor

• 1994 Inductee
• Doc Ollie, as the athletes knew him,
• began his career as an athletic trainer
• with the Penn State Nittany Lions in 1912.
• Later, he moved to Pittsburgh and, then,
• on to Washington University in St. Louis.
• In 1935, Doc Ollie joined the University of
  Missouri where he cared for, educated, and
  inspired athletes for 25 years. During his
  career, Ollie readied athletes for nine bowl
  games. He was inducted into the NATA Hall of
  Fame in 1962.

6
Arthur D. Dickinson

• 1994 Inductee
• Art Dickenson served as the Head Track
• and Field Coach at the University of
• Northern Iowa for 35 years. He was a
• noted authority on training techniques
• throughout the country. Art also was an
• Associate Professor of Physical
• Education, authored several
• publications, held offices in the National
  Athletic Trainers Association, the Faculty Mens
  Club, and many other organizations. In 1965, he
  was inducted into the Helms (now the NATA) Hall
  of Fame.

7
James H. Johnston

• 1994 Inductee
• Little Doc began his athletic training
• career in 1910, at Oklahoma City
• Central High School, volunteering for
• his high school track team. He studied
• at a school of Physiotherapy in Kansas
• City and Ball Clinic at Excelsior, MO. In
• the 1930s he managed the health club
• at Oklahoma City YMCA. In 1942, he
• became Athletic Trainer at the Naval Air Station
  in Norman, OK. In 1946, Little Doc began his
  career at Oklahoma State University. Little
  Doc retired from OSU in 1962 but, was often
  found in the training room serving as Trainer
  Emeritus after this. He was inducted into the
  NATA Hall of Fame in 1967.

8
Bruce Melin

• 1994 Inductee
• Bruce Melin received his Bachelors
• Degree (1944) and Masters Degree
• (1948) from the University if Minnesota.
• In 1949, he joined the Washington
• University Bears staff as a Faculty
• member and Athletic Trainer. He
• retired from Washington University in
• 1977, having served for 28 years. After
• his retirement, he continued working as
• Athletic Trainer and Professor Emeritus.
• In 1974 Melin was inducted into the Greater St.
  Louis Athletic Trainers Association Hall of
  Fame. In 1984, he was inducted into the Missouri
  Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. In
  1986, he received the Washington University
  Interfraternity Council Performance in Teaching
  Award for superior teaching. In 1980, he was
  inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.

9
Laurence Morgan

• 1994 Inductee
• Porky, as he was known to athletes and
• friends, began his career as an athletic
• trainer as a freshman in high school at
• East Moline, Illinois High School in 1935.
• He enrolled at St. Ambrose College in
• Davenport, Iowa and served as Student
• Athletic Trainer. He then went to The Citadel
  as Head Athletic Trainer before joining the Army.
  In 1946, he returned to St. Ambrose until 1951
  when he joined the Athletic Training staff at
  Kansas State University. He served as Athletic
  Trainer at KSU for 24 years. He was inducted
  into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1974.

10
Dean Nesmith

• 1994 Inductee
• Deaner, as he was affectionately
• known by the KU Athletes, began his
• career with the University of Kansas
• Athletic Department as a freshman
• football player in1933. Following three
• years at tackle for KU, he played for the
• New York Yankees (football) team in
• 1936. In 1937, he returned to KU to finish his
  degree and work as a Student Athletic Trainer.
  In 1938, Nesmith was appointed the Head Athletic
  Trainer and served the position for 46 years. He
  was inducted into the Helms (now the NATA) Hall
  of Fame in 1971.

11
Ken Rawlinson

• 1994 Inductee
• Ken began his career in athletic training
• as a student at the University of Illinois.
• He held his first Head Athletic Trainer
• position at William and Mary College
• then, moved on to Lafayette College.
• In 1953, Ken became the Head Athletic
• Trainer at the University of Oklahoma
• where he served until 1979. In 1960, Ken worked
  with the U.S. Olympic Team in Rome, Italy. He
  published many articles and, authored Modern
  Athletic Training. He was selected Rockne Club
  Trainer of the Year in 1959 he was inducted into
  the NATA Hall of Fame in 1968.

12
Paul Schneider

• 1994 Inductee
• Schnitz, as he was known to Nebraska
• Cornhusker fans, earned his Bachelor of
• Science Degree from the University of
• Nebraska following World War II.
• Schnitz served on the University of
• Nebraska Athletic Training Staff for 33
• years. He served as Assistant Athletic
• Trainer from 1948-1952. In 1952, he
• became the Head Athletic Trainer and served
  until 1977. From 1977-1981 he served as
  Administrative Assistant to the Athletic
  Director. Schneider helped found the National
  Athletic Trainers Association in which he served
  as Secretary-Treasurer and as member of the Board
  of Directors. In 1977 he received the KFOR
  Sportsman of the Year Award and in 1978 he
  received the Nebraska Hall of Fame Merit Award.
  He was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in
  1985.

13
Warren Arial

• 1995 Inductee
• Floogie has provided many years of service to
• the NATA and the profession of Athletic
  Trainers.
• He began his career as a Student Athletic
  Trainer
• at Wofford College. He then became Head
  Athletic
• Trainer at Wofford. He took special Physio-
• Therapy training at Eastern Medical Aids in New
• York. He then worked as an Athletic Trainer at
• Gardner Webb College, and Wake Forest University
  before moving to Iowa State University. He
  served as the District 5 Exhibits Chairman from
  1959-1972. Floogie is thought to be a great
  entertainer, and therefore, has been popular as a
  lecturer and promoter in the field of athletic
  training methods to coaches, physicians, and
  athletic trainers. After leaving ISU Warren
  worked as an Athletic Trainer with Indiana
  University, the New Orleans Saints, and the
  Houston Oilers. He was inducted into the NATA
  Hall of Fame in 1977. He also has been selected
  as the Knute Rochne Trainer of the Year, inducted
  into the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Hall of
  Fame, and the Wofford Athletic Hall of Fame.

14
Roland Duke Larue

• 1995 Inductee
• Duke began his athletic training career
• at Michigan State University following a
• career as coach and biology teacher. He
• earned a degree in Physical Therapy and
• then joined Pinky Newell at Purdue.
• Next, he became the Head Athletic
• Trainer at Western Illinois University.
• While in District 4 he served as an officer
• for 8 years. Duke has served as an athletic
  trainer in many National and International
  events. In 1978, Duke joined the staff at the
  University of Nebraska. In 1990 he was inducted
  into the N.A.T.A. Hall of Fame and in 1992
  received the George F. Sullivan Athletic Trainer
  of the Year Award in Nebraska.

15
Roland Logan

• 1995 Inductee
• Kickapoo began his career at the
• University of Kansas as a football
• player. In 1930 he became an Assistant
• Coach and the universitys Athletic
• Trainer. He worked in this position for
• 22 years. After leaving Kansas, he
• worked at West Point Military Academy,
• Pittsburgh University, and with the Boston Red
  Sox. He has invented and manufactured over 2
  dozen athletic products and co-authored a
  textbook. He was inducted into the NATA Hall of
  Fame in 1971. He also has been awarded a medal
  by the American Institute of Fine Art.

16
Al Ortolani

• 1995 Inductee
• Al has served as the Head Athletic
• Trainer at Pittsburgh State University
• in Kansas since 1955. He has,
• throughout the years, served at
• numerous National and International
• events including the World University
• Games, Olympics, Girls Cup, USA
• Olympic Sports Festival, Pan American
• Games, and with AAU National Teams. Al was
  named the District 10 Baseball Coach of the
  Year in 1965. He was inducted into the NAIA
  Hall of Fame in 1985, The N.A.T.A. Hall of Fame
  in 1992, and the Pittsburgh State Hall of Fame.

17
C.F. Randall

• 1995 Inductee
• Frank began his career in Athletic
• Training at New Mexico State in 1962.
• He also served at New Mexico Military
• Academy and Idaho University prior to
• beginning his career at Iowa State
• University in 1970. During his career
• at ISU Frank has been an impetus in the
• growth and development of the MAATA.
• He has served as a District 5 Officer, on
• many committees, and also as historian. Frank
  has added to our profession through his
  publications, presentations, and research. He
  was instrumental in the passing of The Athletic
  Trainers Act in Iowa. In 1991, Frank was
  inducted into the N.A.T.A. Hall of Fame.

18
John Dudley Rockwell

• 1995 Inductee
• Jack Began his career as an Athletic
• Trainer for the Bremerton Bluejackets
• Baseball Western International League
• and the Olympic Junior College in
• Washington in 1948. In 1950, he became
• the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the
• University of Kansas. In 1969, he became
• the Head Athletic Trainer for the St. Louis
• Cardinals. In 1974, he joined the Southern
  California WFL. He was President and co-founder
  of the PFATS, an NATA Executive Secretary, and on
  the U.S. Olympic Selection. Jack, as an Athletic
  Trainer has traveled to Russia, Holland, West
  Germany, China, Yugoslavia, and Hungary. In
  1977, he was inducted into the N.A.T.A. Hall of
  Fame.

19
Wayne Rudy

• 1995 Inductee
• Wayne began his career as an Athletic
• Trainer at Waite High School in Toledo,
• Ohio in 1943. He then moved on to
• Southern Methodist University. He was
• a founding member of the SWATA, a
• National Director for District 6 and
• served as Head Athletic Trainer with the
• Dallas Texans (A.P.L.). In 1963, he
• became the Head Athletic Trainer for
• the Kansas City Chiefs and served there for 21
  years. He was a founding member of the PFATS.
  In 1974, he was inducted into the N.A.T.A. Hall
  of Fame, in 1975, the Bowling Green State
  University Hall of Fame, in 1984, the Missouri
  Athletic Trainers Assoc. Hall of Fame, and 1986,
  the SWATA Hall of Fame.

20
George F. Sullivan

• 1995 Inductee
• George began his career as a Student
• Athletic Trainer at the University of
• Nebraska in 1949. In 1953, he became
• Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer at
• the University of Nebraska. In 1977, he
• was named as the Head Athletic Trainer,
• a position which he still holds today.
• Throughout his career he has served at
• 33 Nebraska Bowl Games, and several
• National and International events. George has
  served on numerous committees and Boards, offered
  numerous presentations and publications, and
  worked to establish licensure in the state of
  Nebraska. He was inducted into the NATA Hall of
  Fame in 1978, The Husker Track and Field Hall of
  Fame in 1993, and received the M.E. Sacksteder
  Award for Contributions to Physical Therapy and
  Education in the state of Nebraska in 1984.

21
Fred A. Wappel

• 1995 Inductee
• Fred began his Athletic Training career
• as an assistant at the University of
• Missouri in 1955. In 1958 he was
• appointed the Head Athletic Trainer.
• During his tenure at Mizzou, Fred has
• served at 11 post-season Bowl games.
• Fred has served the NATA as District
• Director and National Convention
• Chairman of the Clinical Program. He
• has offered many presentations and publications
  to advance our profession. In Missouri he was a
  sponsor of the Governmental Review Committee and
  influential in the passing of legislation for
  Athletic Trainers in the state. He was inducted
  into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1986, Missouri Hall
  of Fame in 1984, and recognized as Trainer of the
  Year by the Rockne Foundation in 1961.

22
James Booher

• 1996 Inductee
• Jim received his Bachelors Degree from
  Nebraska
• Wesleyan, his PT Degree from the Mayo Clinic,
  his
• MA in HPER at SDSU, and his PHD at the
  University
• of Utah. He began his career as an Athletic
  Trainer
• at SDSU where he has been instrumental in
• establishing the Athletic Training Major. Jim
  served
• as the District 5 Secretary/ Treasurer and then
  as
• District 5 Director 1990-1993. He has been as
• active publisher of articles and textbooks. Jim
  was
• a charter member of the SDATA as well as serving
  as the groups first President. He was a key
  figure in the development of the SD licensure law
  and the regulation of Athletic Trainers in the
  state. Jim has been a leader in the American
  Heart Association, the South Dakota Emergency
  Medical Technicians Association, the South Dakota
  Association of HPERD, and the Brookings CPR
  Committee. Jim was chosen by his peers to be
  inducted into the SDATA Hall of Fame in 1990 and
  he received the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic
  Trainer Award in 1994.

23
Denis F. Isrow

• 1996 Inductee
• Izzy is professor of Physical Education
• and Athletic Training at North Dakota
• State University. Izzy received his
• bachelors Degree from Adams State
• College in 1963, Masters Degree from
• NDSU in 1965, and Doctorate from the
• University of Utah in 1975. Izzy served
• as the District 5 Secretary/Treasurer
• from 1981-1984 and as the District 5 Director
  from
• 1984-1987. He has also served on the Board of
  Directors for the ND Special Olympics (1986-90)
  and as the President of the North Dakota
  Association of HPERD (1988-89). Izzy was
  selected as a Preferred Professor by the Mortar
  Board National Honor Society in 1986, 1987, and
  1989. He was inducted into the North Central
  Conference Hall of Fame in 1988 and received the
  Special Recognition Award from the ND High School
  Coaches Association in 1992.

24
Ronald L. VanDam

• 1997 Inductee
• Doc has provided many years of service to
• athletes, coaches and students in Central
  Missouri.
• Ron began his career as an Athletic Trainer,
  Teacher,
• and Coach in Quincy, MI. He then continued his
• career in Madison, Indiana as an English
  Teacher
• Tennis. Assistant Wrestling, and Assistant
  Football
• Coach and Athletic Trainer. In 1965 Ron moved
  to
• Taylor University in Upland, Indiana where he
  also
• coached, taught, and was the Athletic Trainer.
  Ron
• then settled in Warrensburg, Missouri in 1969.
• During his tenure as Athletic Trainer at Central
  Missouri State University Ron has also been a
  Professor of Physical Education. He has shared
  his knowledge through workshops, publications,
  lectures, and the classroom with many successful
  students, area coaches, athletes and his peers.
  He assisted in writing, lobbying, and eventual
  passage of the MO state legislation for Athletic
  Trainers. He serves on the MSHSAA Sports
  Medicine Advisory Board. In 1983-85 Ron was the
  President of the Missouri Athletic Trainers
  Assoc. In 1988 he was inducted into the Missouri
  Sports Medicine Hall of Fame. In 1994 he was
  inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

25
John A. Baxter

• 1998 Inductee
• John A. Baxter has had a long list of honors and
  awards
• bestowed upon him over his very successful and
  illustrious
• career. He has served as President of the
  Kansas Athletic
• Trainers Society and was instrumental in getting
  legislation
• passed to allow for registration of Athletic
  Trainers in
• Kansas. He is a tremendous educator, and has
  helped many
• student athletic trainers into careers in
  athletic training. His
• giving, caring personality has helped many
  people. He is a
• great people-person who humbles himself for
  others, a true professional. He has directed
  student camps and lectured at numerous sports
  medicine seminars. He is also a leader in the
  community with endless energy and enthusiasm.
  His guidance and service to the field of athletic
  training is also evident by his work within the
  National Athletic Trainers Association. John
  has served as athletic trainer for the NAIAs
  mens basketball championship for 25 years and
  was awarded the Cramer Award for distinguished
  service to the championship. He has also been
  selected for the NAIA Hall of Fame and The ESU
  (Emporia State University) Athletic Hall of Fame.
  Al Ortalani, past MAATA Hall of Fame Recipient
  sums up Johns commitment to athletic training
  with this quote John has always put the other
  person ahead of himself and has always been
  generous with his time. I could go on citing
  incident after incident where he has been a
  credit to our profession, but I will sum it all
  up by saying that, John is a trainers trainer.

26
Clint Thompson

• 1999 Inductee
• Clint Thompson has been a great contributor to
  the
• Athletic Training Profession in many aspects.
  It all
• started in Lubbock, Texas April 1, 1938. Clint
• graduated from Ysleta High School in 1956. He
• graduated from the University of Texas with a
• Bachelor of Science degree in 1963. Clint
  became
• an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Michigan State
• University in 1964. He worked as an assistant
  and
• completed his Master of Arts degree while doing
  so
• from 1967 to 1969. Clint became interested in
  the
• NATA journal and in 1970 became editor for the
  journal. A position which he still holds today.
  Clint decided to branch out and was employed at
  Colorado State University from 1970 to 1973.
  After his experience at Colorado State, he
  returned to East Lansing where he became the
  coordinator of Athletic Training at Michigan
  State University. From 1973-1985 he was
  instrumental in developing a fine athletic
  training program at Michigan State as well as
  authoring many articles in the NATA journals. In
  1985, to the present, Clint has been the Head
  Athletic Trainer/Instructor at Truman State
  University. He carries with him to Kirksville,
  MO many years of experience and membership in the
  NATA. He has traveled extensively to Australia
  promoting athletic training through many
  published works and lecturing. Clint has received
  the NATA service award for contributions made to
  the NATA and the Michigan Athletic Trainers
  Association Hall of Fame.

27
Wayne Wagner

• 1999 Inductee
• Wayne Wagner has served the field of Athletic
  Training
• as a teacher and athletic trainer for the past
  41 years.
• He has published articles in the NATA Journal
  and
• served as site administrator and proctor for the
  NATABOC
• for the past 10 years Wayne started at Omaha
  University
• upon his discharge from the Army Air Corp. He
  was a
• student in the college of education and played
  on the
• football team. He was injured his sophomore
  year and the
• team physician recognized his work ethic and
  encouraged
• him to stay on as their athletic trainer as
  there was no staff
• athletic trainer at the university at the time.
  Upon graduation from Omaha University in 1955,
  Wayne stayed at the university for one year until
  he accepted a job at Westside High School (Omaha)
  as a teacher/athletic trainer. In 1957 he joined
  the NATA and stayed at Westside High School until
  1967. Wayne returned to Omaha University as an
  assistant professor/athletic trainer. In 1968 he
  went to Indiana University to receive his
  Masters degree in Health and Safety with a Major
  in Athletic Training. Wayne then moved back to
  Omaha to attend the Nebraska University of Omaha
  (formally called Omaha University) until 1985.
  Wayne found himself next at Creighton University
  for five years until 1990 when he was given an
  opportunity to set up the Sports Medicine Program
  of his dreams at Methodist Hospital in Omaha.
  Wayne stayed full-time with Methodist until his
  retirement in 1995.

28
Danny Foster

• 2000 Inductee
• From 1974-1986, Dan earned and enjoyed
• several national championships while
• serving as Wrestling Team Athletic Trainer.
• He has authored chapters in a variety of
• modern sports medicine texts and
• published journal articles dealing with
• athletic training education, quality control,
• weight loss in wrestlers, and wound care in
• sports. From 1980 to 1990 Dan served the
• MAATA on the District Program Committee for
  several years, chairing it twice, and served on
  the Executive Committee from 1992 to1994. From
  1990 to present he has held active membership on
  the Joint Review Committee for the Occupation of
  Athletic Training (JRC-AT), a CAAHEP Committee,
  with specific focus on self-study review material
  and on-site visitation activities. Dan currently
  is Vice-chairman of the Iowa Licensing Board of
  Athletic Training.

29
Kathy English

• 2001 Inductee
• Kathy English has administered the athletic
  training
• program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
  
• since 1981. English received her undergraduate
• education from Southeast Community College
  (1976),
• and Kearney State College (1979), and her
  Masters
• Degree from Eastern Illinois University (1980).
  She
• then returned to Kearney, Nebraska and the
  University
• of Nebraska at Kearney. From 1981-93, English
• served as the Head Athletic Trainer and a
  Lecturer.
• English was responsible for providing athletic
  training
• services for 16 NCAA 11 sports, administered the
  
• athletic training program, and served as a
  faculty member. English presently serves as the
  Director of Athletic Training Services, and is a
  lecturer within the Department of Health,
  Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure
  Studies. English is an active member in the
  National Athletic Trainers Association,
  Mid-America Athletic Trainers Association, and
  is a charter member of the Nebraska State
  Athletic Trainers Association. She is also a
  member of the Board of Examiners Athletic
  Training State of Nebraska Department of Health,
  a member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary,
  and Phi Eta Sigma National Honorary. In 1989,
  English received the George Sullivan Athletic
  Trainer of the Year Award presented by the NSATA.
  She served as Chair of the MAATA
  College/University Student Athletic Trainer
  Committee from 1989-93.

30
Keith Fitzpatrick

• 2001 Inductee
• Keith Fitzpatrick has been providing care to
  high school athletes
• for over 40 years. Fitzpatrick attended Trinity
  High School in
• Sioux City, Iowa, then attended college at
  Morningside College
• and finished at the University of Iowa.
  Fitzpatrick started his
• athletic training career with the Sioux City
  Soos from 1950-53.
• Fitzpatrick then served as a physical therapist
  in Omaha,
• Nebraska and Mitchell, South Dakota from
  1954-93. Beginning
• in 1957, Fitzpatrick also served as athletic
  trainer for Notre
• Dame High School. In 1970, he became the Head
  Athletic Trainer
• at Mitchell High School in Mitchell, South
  Dakota, continuing until
• 1992. Today he still works as an athletic
  trainer for Mitchell High
• School and a therapist for Avera St. Benedict
  Healthcare Center in Parkston, SD.
• Fitzpatrick is a very active man, serving as a
  consultant to the athletic training program at
  Dakota Wesleyan University and as a clinical
  instructor for Cramer workshops over the years.
  Fitzpatrick has also been very active in the
  South Dakota Athletic Trainers Association.
  Fitzpatrick is a charter member, and served as
  Vice President from 1977-81 and President from
  1982-85. During that time he helped co-chair the
  Athletic Trainers Bylaw and Legislative
  Committee. Fitzpatrick was also a charter member
  of the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association
  and served as Vice President (1966-67) and
  President (1968-70). Fitzpatrick is an active
  member in the American College of Sports
  Medicine, the Mitchell High School Quarterback
  Club, Dakota Wesleyan University Teammakers, and
  Holy Family Catholic Church. He has been active
  in the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign
  Wars since 1948, and with the Boy Scouts, as a
  Troop Leader from 1960-1977.

31
Jeff Fair

• 2002 Inductee
• Dr. Fair has been in the profession of
• Athletic Training since 1966 when he
• began his student athletic trainer
• experiences. During these years he
• has been highly active in the service
• area to the National Athletic Trainers
• Association (NATA). He is a 25-year
• award Recipient, Most Distinguished
• Athletic Trainer award winner in 1994,
• Liaison for the NATA, and served on the Journal
  committee for 10 years. A large portion of his
  career to date was spent at Oklahoma State
  University where he was instrumental in getting
  the Oklahoma Licensure Law passed. He has
  patented several invention that assist in injury
  prevention in the Cowboy Collar. His greatest
  accomplishment is his long time relationship with
  his wife and family of two sons who are officers
  in the United States Army.

32
Craig Holz

• 2003 Inductee
• Craig Holz is a native Nebraskan born in North
  Platte.
• He graduated from the University of
  Nebraska-Kearney
• with his Bachelors of Art and received his
  Masters of
• Science in Athletic Training from Central
  Missouri State
• University. For the past 27 years he has served
  as a
• physiology teacher/athletic trainer at Millard
  South High
• School in Omaha, Nebraska. Craig was one of the
  
• founding fathers on the Nebraska State Athletic
  Trainers
• Association in 1980. He has served as
  President,
• Secretary-Treasurer and has been on various
  other
• committees through out the years. He has been
  very active within the Mid-America Athletic
  Trainers Association where he has served as
  chairman of the exhibit committee for the
  districts annual convention, chairman of the
  spring symposium committee and a presenter at the
  National convention in Kansas City. He is the
  recipient of the George Sullivan Athletic Trainer
  of the Year (1998), 25-year service award (NATA)
  and Whos Who Among American Teachers several
  times. He has worked numerous Olympic events all
  across the world. He is a member of the NATA
  since 1973, National Education Association since
  1976. Craigs proudest professional
  accomplishment has been his student athletic
  trainer program and the many student athletic
  trainers who have been in the program and gone on
  to a variety of health careers. His greatest
  source of pride is Julia his wife, daughter Kara
  and son Andy.

33
Jerry Weber

• 2003 Inductee
• Jerry Weber a native Nebraskan from Sidney
• received his Bachelors of Science from the
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He earned his
• Physical Therapy degree from the University of
• Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and a Masters
• of Science from Western Illinios. He has been
  an
• instructor and Athletic Trainer/Physical
  Therapist
• at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 1977
  
• ranging from instructor to Associate Director of
  
• Athletic Medicine. He helped in establishing
  the
• athletic training licensure for the state of
  Nebraska. Weber is a member of the NCAA
  Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical
  Aspects of Sport and is the NCAA liaison to the
  National Athletic Trainers Associations
  College/University Athletic Trainers Committee.
  He has been a very active member within the
  district serving in various appointments for 13
  years with 3 of those years as District President
  and on the NATA Board of Directors. In the fall
  of 2001, the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame
  honored Weber when he received the Lyle Bremser
  Special Merit Award. He is a 25 year award
  recipient (NATA), George Sullivan Athletic
  Trainer of the Year (1990, NSATA), and 20 year
  service award (NSATA).

34
Ed Crowley

• 2005 Inductee
• Ed Crowley spent 31 years as the Director of
  Athletic
• Training Services and Head Football Athletic
  Trainer
• at the University of Iowa. Crowley joined the
  Iowa
• Athletic Department staff in 1973 after serving
• one-year stints as the assistant athletic
  trainer at
• Purdue (1972-72) and Iowa (1971-72), and two
  years
• (1969-71) at West Point Military Academy, where
  he
• worked with Bobby Knight. Crowley in 1997
  received
• the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award
  for
• major contributions to the National Athletic
  Training
• Association. Ed has been a long-time member of
  the American Physical Therapists Association. He
  was the honor and awards director for the
  District Five Mid-America Athletic Trainers
  Association. He was chairman of the National
  Athletic Trainers Association Licensure
  Committee from 1982-89. He has served as review
  editor for the Journal of Orthopaedic Sports
  Physical Therapy, Spine Magazine and the Journal
  of Athletic Training. Ed is presently the chair
  of the National Hall of Fame Committee. Crowley
  earned all-state honors in 1963 as a running back
  at Marian Central (Woodstock, IL) High School.
  He lettered at Purdue and was a member of the
  1967 Rose Bowl Champions, where he developed a
  long-lasting friendship with teammate Bob Griese.
  The Boilers beat Southern Cal 14-13 in the
  schools only Rose Bowl appearance. Crowley
  earned a B.S. degree from Purdue in 1967 and his
  physical therapy degree from Iowa in 1968.
  Crowley was born August 9, 1944 in Chicago. He
  and his wife, Lois, have two daughters, Amie and
  Marie.

35
Kathie Courtney

• 2006 Inductee
• Dr. Kathie Courtney is a pioneer in the
• field of athletic training. She was one
• of the first few women certified in
• athletic training at the national level and
• was the first female certified athletic
• trainer in the state of South Dakota. She
• has been instrumental in the development of the
  profession through her involvement in the South
  Dakota Athletic Trainers Association, having
  served in every office of that organization. She
  has served on numerous district and national
  committees. She has served as an excellent role
  model and liaison for women entering the
  profession of Athletic Training.

36
Randy Biggerstaff

• 2007 Inductee
• Randy Biggerstaff has contributed to the
  profession of
• Athletic Training at the state, district and
  national levels
• over the past 33 years. He has served on the
  Honors
• and Awards Committee for Missouri, as the
  Treasurer
• for the Mid-America Athletic Trainers
  Association, and
• as the representative from District 5 to the
  NATA for the Clinical/Industrial/Corporate (CIC)
  Committee, a
• committee which he helped found. Throughout his
  career,
• he has been involved in a variety of settings
  including high
• school, professional sports, clinic, and
  business owner as
• well as his current position as Head Athletic
  Trainer and
• Athletic Training Program Director for
  Lindenwood University. Early
• in his career, he was instrumental in bringing
  care to under served high school and adult
  athletes in the St. Louis area. Through education
  and persistence the need for athletic trainers in
  the area schools became clear and most high
  schools in the St. Louis area now benefit from
  the services of a certified athletic trainer. In
  recommending Randy for induction, Wade Welton,
  MS, ATC wrote As impressive as his resume is I
  am most impressed by his leadership and his
  devotion to the Athletic Training profession
  while maintaining a priority of faith, family,
  and work with everything he accomplishes. Randy
  has received the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic
  Trainer Award and the NATA Service Award. In
  addition, he is a member of the Missouri Sports
  Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Medicine
  Hall of Fame.

37
David DC Colt

• 2007 Inductee
• David DC Colt has served the Athletic Training
  profession
• admirably for the past 30 years. At the
  district level, he has
• served the Mid-America Athletic Trainers
  Association as the
• Public Relations Officer, Secretary/Treasurer,
  and the District
• Director. He has also served on the Board of
  Directors for the
• NATA, the NATA Research and Education Foundation
  Board
• of Directors, and the Board of Certification.
  He chaired the
• original Written Simulation Development
  Committee and was
• instrumental in writing the original Simulation
  examination.
• He has also co-chaired the taskforce to develop
  the Council
• on Employment and currently chairs the
  Foundation Project
• Grant Committee. After completing his Masters
  degree at Northwest Missouri State in 1978, he
  began his career as an Assistant Athletic Trainer
  at Temple University in Philadelphia,
  Pennsylvania. Three years later, he returned to
  Northwest Missouri State where he has worked for
  26 years and is currently the Head Athletic
  Trainer and Assistant Professor. DC is also a
  man of family and faith and a devoted husband and
  father. He has been very active with his
  church, serving in many capacities from usher to
  choir member to Sunday school teacher to
  volunteering with the church mission group.
  David received the NATA Most Distinguished
  Athletic Trainer Award in 2004, the NATA Division
  II Athletic Trainer of the Year Award in 2006,
  and the Dan Libera Service Award from NATA-BOC in
  2004. He has also received the Alumni
  Association Special Recognition Award from
  Northwest Missouri State and has been selected
  twice as the Athletic Trainer of the Year by the
  Missouri Athletic Trainers Association.
  Further, he has been inducted into the Missouri
  Athletic Trainers Associations Sports Medicine
  Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of
  Fame.