Melinda Terry, was born in Tahoka, Texas to Walton and Sharon Terry. After graduating from Tahoka High School in 1979 she attended Baylor University where she discovered the profession of athletic training. In 1983 Melinda graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education and accepted a graduate assistant’s position in athletic training at West Texas State University, now West Texas A&M University.
Upon receiving her M.S. in Exercise Physiology Melinda accepted a position at Odessa Permian High School where she worked for four years. Her stint at the secondary school level continued at Duncanville High School until 1996. Melinda made the switch to the collegiate setting to the University of Texas at Arlington serving as the Assistant Athletic Trainer then into the position of Associate Athletic Trainer and Senior Woman Administrator, finally as the Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director. Currently Melinda is at St. Edward’s University in Austin beginning in 2004 as the Head Athletic Trainer and now serving as the Associate Athletic Director for compliance for the past two years.
Melinda has served SWATA through the registration and convention committees as well as a term on the Executive Board from 2005-2009, including a year as president in 2007-2008. SWATA awards include the Bobby Gunn “Unsung Hero Watch Award” (2003) and the Eddie Wojecki Award (2004). She was a Board of Certification Test Site Administrator for many years and served on the Exam Administration Committee, receiving the Dan Libera Service Award from the BOC in 2008. NATA honors and awards include the Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2002 and 25-Year Service Award. Melinda has mentored and taught many athletic training students through the years as well as volunteered her time for several worthy causes.
Dr. Frank Walters, was born in Munich Germany and grew up in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Brooklyn College in New York and received his BS degree in Physical Education in 1976. He earned his MS degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Athletic Training from Indiana State University in 1977 and obtained his PhD in Kinesiology/Higher Education Administration at Texas A&M University.
Certified and licensed as an athletic trainer since 1977, Frank began his career in South Texas. He worked as a teacher and athletic trainer at Phar San Juan Alamo High School, in Pharr, Texas and MB Smiely High School in Houston. In June 1981, Frank became the Head Athletic Trainer and Lecturer in the Department of Physical Education at Prairie View A&M University. In 1991 Dr. Walters was named the Coordinator of Athletic Health Care Services for the District of Columbia Public Schools. Currently he serves as the Director of Sports Medicine, Wellness, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Diabetes Education for Broward Health in Fr. Lauderdale, FL. He also is an Adjunct Professor of Athletic Training at Nova Southeastern University and Florida Atlantic University.
During his career, Dr. Walters has served as a model and examiner for the BOC certification examination and he currently serves as on the BOC Board of Directors. He has served the NATA s teh Chair of the Ethnic Minority Advisory Council, Education Degree Task Force, and CIE Committee. Dr. Walters also served on the Executive Committee of Education Council, Continuing Education Committee, as well as the editorial board of the JNATA and the Educators Journal. His honors and awards are numerous throughout his career and include, Brooklyn College Sports Medicine Alumnus Award and the 1st Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Indiana State University Athletic Training Department. His NATA honors include the EDAC Bill Chisolm Professional Service Awards, Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award and he is a 2010 NATA Hall of Fame Inductee.
Class of 1985
Charter Members
Bobby Brown, a 1951 graduate of the University of Houston, was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985. He is best known for being a professional sports athletic trainer in Houston. Of his 16 years of athletic training for professional football teams, 10 were with the Houston Oilers. In 1973 he became the head athletic trainer for the Houston Aeros professional hockey team. He was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1990. Mr. Brown served as SWATA president 1958 -1959.
Delmar Brown was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985. Hereceived his Bachelor of Science degree from North Texas State in 1938; in 1954 he earned a master’s degree from East Texas State. Brown’s career includes positions in the high school and university settings. He was a coach and athletic trainer for three Texas high schools and served on staff at Baylor University, East Texas State University, and Texas Tech University. He was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1970.
Elmer Brown was a graduate of North Texas State University and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985. Mr. Brown’s professional life started with a coaching job at Laredo High School in 1938. He had a position at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, served as either a coach or athletic trainer at six different high schools and universities. He was hired at Texas Christian University in 1951 and remained there until his retirement. Elmer Brown was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1970. Elmer Brown served as the SWATA District Director in 1953.
Lilburn Dimmitt had apath to an athletic training career included being elected mayor of Georgetown (TX) and head coach and athletic director at Beaumont High School. In 1934 he went to Texas A & M to serve as the Aggies' athletic trainer until 1948. One of Dimmitt's biggest claims to fame came from his coaching association with Babe Didrikson, a track star on the 1932 U.S. Olympic Team. Mr. Dimmitt was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1962 and an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
James "Doc" Dodson had a long history as a practicing athletic trainer and a passionate leader in SWATA; Doc was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985. He was hired in 1959 to be the athletic trainer for Midland High School, where he remained until his retirement, some 30 years later. Doc was the first high school athletic trainer to serve at the World Olympics (Munich, Germany, 1972). Doc received the prestigious Frank Medina Award in 1983 and the 1969 Eddie Wojecki Award for his contributions to the athletic training profession; additionally, in 1984 he was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame. A perennial friendly face at the annual SWATA meeting, having served as SWATA President (1965-1966) and was a long time member of the SWATA Executive Board as Executive Secretary and Treasurer. In 2002 the James “Doc” Dotson New Horizon Award was established in his honor to recognize young professionals for their unique or immediate impact in SWATA or the athletic training profession.
William Ferrell had a major league baseball career before accepting his first athletic training job at William & Mary in 1932. Mr. Ferrell went on to serve as athletic trainer under four noted football coaches - Otis Douglas, Bowden Wyatt, Jack Mitchell and Frank Broyles - at the University of Arkansas. Ferrell was noted as a speaker at dozens of athletic clinics and author of several magazine articles on athletic training practices and techniques. Ferrell served as SWATA District Director in 1956. William Ferrell was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1967 and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
Louis Grevelle got his start in athletic training at Baylor University as a student and an assistant to fellow NATA and SWATA Hall of Fame member Delmar Brown. After graduating, he worked at two Texas high schools before going to Coronado High School (Lubbock, TX) in 1965 to be the school’s first athletic trainer and remained until his retirement in 1984. Among his many accomplishments, he has served as president of SWATA (’61-‘62), been appointed by the governor of Texas to two terms on the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, and been selected as athletic trainer for three Texas High School All-Star football games. Mr. Grevelle was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1984 and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
Robert “Bobby” Gunn is a legend in the athletic training profession, to SWATA, and to the NATA. As a graduate of Rice Institute his first position was with the Brazosport ISD in Freeport, Texas and later the Baytown Public Schools. In 1962 he became the Head Athletic Trainer at Lamar State College of Technology (Lamar University). In 1971 he became the Head Athletic Trainer for the Washington Redskins of the NFL and later the Houston Oilers from 1972 to 1974. He later worked for the Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League in 1974. Gunn returned to Houston and completed his career as a clinical outreach athletic trainer with the Baylor hospital system. Gunn is also noted for his service to SWATA and to NATA. Mr. Gunn is known to be responsible for being a leading force in the development of SWATA and typed the original Constitution. Bobby served as SWATA president from 1956 to1958 and District Director from 1964 to 1967 and chair from 1967 to 1969. Gunn was the first president of NATA, elected in 1970; he served in this capacity until 1974. He was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1975 and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985. Bobby Gunn’s legacy to SWATA continues as athletic trainers are recognized to be the recipient of the Bobby Gunn Unsung Hero Award; this award is given to a member who has served the Association in a dedicated professional manner.
Bobby Lane arrived at the University of Texas at Arlington as an athletic trainer and assistant track coach in 1953. After his graduation from Texas Christian University in 1955, Lane became head track coach at UTA while continuing to serve as athletic trainer and instructor of physical education. He gave up his coaching duties in 1973 and retired as athletic trainer in 1981. Lane was selected as head athletic trainer for the U.S. team at the 1975 Pan American Games, after serving as assistant athletic trainer at the 1971 Games, and was an athletic trainer at the 1979 National Sports Festival. Lane was the 1987 recipient of the Frank Medina Award. He was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1982 and an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
Edwin “Eddie” Lane is a charter member of the NATA (1950) and a graduate of SMU. He has served as athletic trainer with SMU both as an assistant and head trainer. He has also been the head trainer at North Texas, Washington State and the Dallas and Irving ISD's. Eddie served as National Director for District Six from 1972-1975. He was vice president of the NATA in 1975 and a presidential candidate for the NATA in 1977. In the early fifties he was a member of the first NATA Ethics Committee and been a lecturer for numerous athletic training clinics. He served as the athletic trainer for the United States Olympics wresting teams in 1968 and 1972. In 1996 he served the Atlanta Olympic committee as athletic trainer for men's and women's volleyball teams. In 1965 and1973 he served as the athletic trainer for United States Davis Cup tennis team. He also served as athletic trainer with the World Championship of Tennis and in this role was the first certified athletic trainer in professional tennis. Lane served in the USA Army Medical Corps during the Korean war. In 1977 he was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1977. In1985 he was honored as a charter member of the SWATA Hall of Fame. Other honors have included being inducted into the Texas High School Wrestling Association's Hall of Fame in 1989 and he was honored by his high school, Waite High School in Toledo Ohio, as a distinguished alumnus in 1987. He resides in retirement, with his wife Jane, in Granbury Texas. Since retiring he has appeared as a supporting actor in the Granbury Opera House and collaborated with author Jon McConal on two books; "Bridges Over The Brazos" and "A Walk Across Texas"
Larry L. Lohr was known as a tireless worker who demands perfection from his students, student athletic trainers and athletes. Lohr became an athletic trainer in 1958. At the time of his 1985 induction to the NATA Hall of Fame he was an athletic trainer for the Weslaco (Texas) Independent School District. He is noted for conducting annual three-day sports injury clinics in Monterrey, Mexico. He was an initial inductee SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
Frank Medina had a long and distinguished career in athletic training that was decorated with many awards and citations. Medina, who was part Cherokee Indian, served as the head athletic trainer for the University of Texas for a number of years. In addition to being twice named "Trainer of the Year" by the Rockne Club Foundation, Medina served on the Texas Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness and as consultant for the President's Counsel on Physical Fitness in 1964. Medina was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1965 and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985. SWATA honors one member annually with the Frank Medina Award; this prestigious award is given to an athletic trainer who, like Frank Medina, has made significant contributions throughout his/her career to the athletic training profession.
Ross Moore worked as an athletic trainer at the University of Texas El Paso from 1937 until his death in 1977. His creativity kept several athletes on the field of play by constructing fiberglass pads for specific injuries. During his tenure at UTEP, Ross is credited with having tutored 11 student athletic trainers who eventually entered the athletic training field. His service to SWATA was highlighted with being the District Director in 1957. Moore was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1974 and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
Wilford “Billy” F. Pickard, Jr. was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985; the same year he was also inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame. Mr. Pickard was an athletic trainer at his alma mater, Texas A&M University, since 1965. Before starting at Texas A&M, Billy was athletic trainer for the Brazosport Schools in Freeport, Texas, and Port Arthur High School in Port Arthur, Texas. Mr. Pickard’s service to SWATA is extensive having served as president 1960 to 1961, District Director 1967 to 1969, and long time SWATA Annual Meeting Convention Exhibit Chair. Mr. Pickard was the recipient of the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award in 1973 and the Frank Medina Award in 1984. Mr. Pickard’s legacy lives on in the many athletic trainers that he has mentored and the spirit of professionalism he instilled.
Thomas “Tom” D. Wilson Jr. was lucky enough to have studied under fellow Hall of Fame member, Frank Medina, for two years. From that solid beginning, Wilson went on to become the head athletic trainer at the University of Houston, a position he started in 1953. Recalling the valuable experience he gained under Medina's tutelage, Wilson has prided himself in working with young student athletic trainers in hopes they would become further interested in the athletic training profession. He served his profession in many ways and was the District Director 1962-1964. Tom Wilson was the recipient of the Eddie Wojecki Award in 1971 and first recipient of the prestigious Frank Medina Award in 1979. Wilson was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1978 and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
Eddie Wojecki is considered as one of the early authorities in the athletic training profession; he was active in the field for more than 50 years. His legacy to the profession is evidenced by his 1965 induction into the NATA Hall of Fame and being a member of the initial class inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985. He served as athletic trainer at a number of high schools and colleges. His longest stint as head athletic trainer was at Rice University where he started in 1945 and served until his retirement. An author of several magazine articles on athletic training techniques, Wojecki was the head athletic trainer for the 1952 U.S. Olympic Team in Helsinki. Eddie Wojecki is identified as the first SWATA President (1954-1956) and two time NATA District Director (1955 and 1960). SWATA presents the Eddie Wojecki award annually to an athletic trainer who has made outstanding contributions to the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association within the past two years.
Wayne Rideout became one of the most respected athletic trainers in Texas after being a member of several world record setting relay teams in the late 1930's and early 1940's. After more than 30 years of athletic training at various Texas high schools, Rideout retired and continued in the profession as an athletic training consultant in private schools. Nineteen of Rideout's former student athletic trainers have received athletic scholarships to various colleges in the southwest. Mr. Rideout served as SWATA President in 1964-1965. Rideout was the recipient of the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award in 1976 and the Frank Medina Award in 1980. Wayne Rideout was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1974 and was an initial inductee to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1985.
Class of 1986
Cash Birdwell received his undergraduate degree at the University of Houston and his masters at Southern Methodist University. Birdwell's career path took him through athletic training positions with the U. S. Military Academy, the New York Jets, Southern Methodist University, the Los Angeles Rams and ultimately to head athletic trainer position back at SMU. Birdwell served as District Director from 1975 to 1982 where he served as Vice President of the NATA Board of Directors. Additionally he served on the NATA Ethics Committee and as the Chairperson for the NATA National Symposium in 1989. Birdwell was twice the recipient of the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award, in 1989 and 1994; he also received the prestigious Frank Medina Award in 1985. Birdwell was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1990 and the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1986.
Wayne Rudy is recognized for a long career in the Athletic Training profession having served athletic teams from 1946 to 1984. Rudy, a graduate of Bowling Green University, was the South Methodist University athletic trainer from 1947 through 1959 before going to the professional athletic training ranks. Rudy is long remembered as being the first head athletic trainer for the Kansas City Chiefs, having started in 1960 with the team at the formation of the American Football League in1960 and remained with the Chiefs until his retirement in 1984. Rudy’s leadership to SWATA includes serving two terms as District Director, first in 1952 and then in 1958. He was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1974 and the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1986.
Class of 1987
Otho Davis' athletic training career was illustrious and notable. Davis got his start in athletic training in 1954 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas for the military service teams. After two years, he moved into SWATA when he accepted an athletic trainer position at Lamar University. Davis’ other college positions included stints at Kent State and Duke Universities. He is well known for his time in the NFA, serving first with the Baltimore Colts and in 1973 accepting his position as the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles where he remained until his retirement. Throughout his career, Davis was been recognized as an outstanding teacher, author and active member of the NATA. Davis was named the Executive Director of the NATA in 1971. Otho Davis was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1981 and the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1987.
Jerry Rhea entered the athletic training profession in 1958 while a student at Texas A&M. Jerry devoted the early years of his career as head athletic trainer to the Odessa (Texas) Schools. From there he joined the NFL as assistant athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Rams before becoming the head athletic trainer for the Atlanta Falcons in 1968. His service to the profession includes leadership to SWATA and the NATA. Mr. Rhea was the SWATA President (1963-64) and NATA President (1986-87); he is also known for his service on many NATA committees. Jerry was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1985 and the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1987.
Paul Zeek has enjoyed a truly distinguished career as a member of the NATA and SWATA. He has pursued a life-long conviction for the complete development of the athletic training profession at the community, state and national level. Paul began his career as a high school athletic trainer in El Paso and finished it as Head Athletic Trainer at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Mr. Zeek has held numerous prestigious positions in SWATA and the NATA. Mr. Zeek was SWATA President (1971-72) and nine year tenure as District Director (1982-91). He served as NATA vice president and NATA Board of Directors member. Paul was nominated College Trainer of the Year by the NATA in 1981. He is a recipient of the prestigious Eddie Wojecki Award in 1972 and the Frank Medina Award in 1988. Mr. Zeek's distinguished achievements can be evidenced in his 1987 induction to the SWATA Hall of Fame and his 1989 induction to the NATA Hall of Fame.
Class of 1988
Allen Eggert earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Rice University in 1963, where he was supervised by Eddie Wojecki. In 1967, he returned to Rice University where he remained until his retirement in 2006. Allen served as sports medicine consultant for the River Oaks Tennis Tournament and worked as the athletic trainer for the Houston Shamrocks, a professional women’s basketball team. Eggert’s contributions to athletic training include serving 25 years as the Executive Secretary to the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, District Six representative to the NATA Ethics Committee, Member of the NATA Audio-Visual Committee. He was the 1982 recipient of the Eddie Wojecki Award and the 1993 Frank Medina Award. He was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1988.
Richard “Dick” Vandervoort will be remembered as a "giant" in the athletic training field. At the age of 14 he attended the first NATA annual meeting and later became the association's first student member. He went on to become the head athletic trainer at several institutions, ultimately ending up with the Houston Rockets professional basketball team. Dick had a passion for the athletic training profession and his hard work and dedication were an inspiration to all who knew him. He played an integral part in the restructuring of NATA in 1969 and many say that the NATA would not be the same if it weren't for his determination and leadership. Dick also served as the president of the National Basketball Trainers Association for 10 years and was elected Trainer of the Year in 1984. Dick suffered an untimely death at his farm in the summer of 1987. His quiet compassion, strong ambition, and blatant love for the profession will be remembered by all who were lucky enough to have known him. Dick Vandervoort was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame and SWATA Hall of Fame both in1988.
James "Al" Wilson dedicated his life to the advancement of the athletic training profession, focusing his efforts in the state of Texas. After receiving his degree from Howard Payne University, Al became the first high school athletic trainer in the state of Texas at Killeen High School in Killeen, Texas, where he served for over 25 years. Throughout his 25 years in Killeen, Al acquired numerous awards and titles. Al received the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award. He served as SWATA President 1975 - 76. Mr. Wilson continues to support SWATA with is work each year on the golf tournament. He was appointed to theTexas' Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers in 1976 and served as Chairman of the Advisory Board from 1977 to 1987. Al's leadership in the governing bodies of the NATA has aided tremendously the advancement of the athletic training profession in the state of Texas. Al Wilson was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame and SWATA Hall of Fame in 1988.
Class of 1989
Lawrence “Larry” Gardner’s distinguished career as an assistant athletic trainer includes positions in the collegiate, professional and clinical settings. He started his career at the University of California at Berkeley. Over the course of the next ten years he held head athletic trainer and teaching positions with several universities and two professional football teams. Mr. Gardner was the athletic trainer for the Dallas Cowboys, including being part of 1972 Super Bowl team; he was also on staff with the Miami Dolphins when they won their Super Bowl. At the time of his induction to the NATA Hall of Fame (1989) he was the Director of Rehabilitation at the Sports Medicine Clinic of North Texas. Mr. Gardner came out of “semi – retirement” in 2001 when he became the Head Athletic Trainer for University of Dallas and served until his retirement in December 2009. Larry also served in athletic training and administrative positions for Justin Sports Medicine, the National Finals Rodeo, the U. S. Gymnastics Federation and the Mizuno Athletic Training Center. Larry was honored with nomination as the president of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society from 1969 to 1972. Larry Gardner served as SWATA President during 1994-95; he was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1989. Gardner was the recipient of the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award in 1995 and the Frank Medina Award in 2005.
Logan Wood began his professional athletic training career as an athletic trainer with the Houston Independent School District. Wood’s 37-year career with the district is powerful evidence of his dedication, loyalty, and commitment to the athletes and schools of the Houston ISD. Wood held several leadership positions with the NATA and SWATA. He was the 1968 NATA Convention and he was a member of the NATA’s reorganization committee in 1969. Wood served on the executive board of SWATA and completed his term as president from 1970 to 1971. Logan was an integral part in the inception, development, and passage of the 1971 athletic training licensing law. Wood proposed, in 1969, that SWATA endorse and pursue a state licensing initiative for athletic trainers. After consultation with Wood and other SWATA members, Texas state legislator Elmer Tarbox sponsored the bill, which was later passed by the state legislature in the spring of 1971. Logan was the first chair of the Texas Licensing Board of Athletic Trainers from 1971 to 1976 and served as vice chair from 1976 to 1985. He was also the long time chair of the state athletic training licensing board Test Committee and Continuing Education Committees from 1971 to 1993. Wood was the recipient of the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award in 1968 and the Frank Medina Award in 1982. He was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1989.
Class of 1990
J.G. “Ken” Murray was raised in Africa, the son of a Presbyterian missionary. When he came to the United States at the age of 16, he played football in high school and, in his senior year he was encouraged to be a student athletic trainer by his coach. His B.S. degree is from the University of Texas and M.A. from East Tennessee State University. Professionally, Ken Murray worked for the Atlanta Falcons, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, and University of Southwestern Louisiana prior to joining the Sports Medicine Staff at Texas Tech University. Murray has served as Head Athletic Trainer and is currently the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. Murray has worked in many capacities in district, state and national athletic training programs. Ken was the SWATA President in 1985-86. Murray was the recipient of the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award in 1986 and the Frank Medina Award in 1991. Mr. Murray was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1990 and inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1994.
Class of 1991
Paul Branson graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and earned a Master of Education Degree in 1972 from Texas A & M University, Commerce. Paul’s professional employment history includes stops at various high schools including L. D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas (1963-1969); Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas (1969-1970); a return back to L. D. Bell High School, in Hurst, Texas (1970-1975) and Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas (1975-1981). In 1981, Paul went to Andrews High School in Andrews, Texas where he remained until 1994. Branson retired for one year and then joined the sales staff at Willis Medical Company from 1995 to 1997. In 1997, he joined Alert Services and has remained there until the present day. Branson was involved in service to the athletic training profession throughout the years. He served as SWATA publicity director 1976 and was SWATA President 1977-78. In addition, he was the program chairman of the 1981 NATA Clinical Symposium in 1981 in Ft. Worth, Texas and a member of the SWATA Constitutional Review Committee in 1990.
Branson has received numerous honors and awards throughout the years. Branson was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1991.
TC “Skip” Cox received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1964 and his master’s degree in 1965 from North Texas State University. His professional record includes athletic training positions at Palo Duro High School (1965-1967), Odessa High School (1967-1968), North Texas State University (1968-1973), and Baylor University (1973-1984). In addition, he was named associate athletic director for Baylor University in 1991. Cox was a member of the SWATA executive board and served as president from 1972 to 1973. During his tenure, he was involved in the state licensing of athletic trainers. Also during his executive service the Student Athletic Trainers’ Association became a reality. Cox has received numerous honors and awards over the years. He was the recipient of the Eddie Wojecki Award is 1974 and the Frank Medina Award in 1981. Skip was named to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1991. Cox stated that during his career as an athletic trainer, he worked with 261 student athletic trainers and managers, and 32 of them at one time were activity involved in the athletic training profession.
Class of 1992
Randy Day was first introduced to athletic training while attending Brazosport High School (58-62) and serving as a student trainer under the direction of Hall of Fame member Billy Pickard. After graduating from Southwest Texas University he was the first Athletic Trainer to be hired in the Austin ISD and served as Athletic Trainer at Reagan High School. In 1969 he returned home when he was offered an Athletic Trainer position for the new Brazoswood High School; he served as the only athletic trainer from 1969 until his retirement in 2003. Day served as the athletic trainer in the 1969 South All-Star Football game with Head Coach Travis Raven, 1975 South All-Star Football game under Head Coach L.Z. Bryan, and 1979 Head Trainer of the South boys Basketball game under head Coach David Middleton. Had the pleasure of serving as the head athletic trainer for five state championship teams: football 1968 Austin Reagan and 1974 Brazoswood; Baseball 1984 and 1992 Brazoswood and Softball 2000 Brazoswood. Randy served SWATA by advancing through the chairs leading up to his serving as President 1979-80. Day was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1992. Day had a wonderful career in the field of athletic training; he had so much fun and excitement everyday and appreciated all the coaches, administrators and fellow trainers that I had the pleasure of working with. He is now retired and having a great time.
Class of 1993
Dean Weber started his athletic training career as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in 1968. After five years, he became head athletic trainer at the University of Arkansas in 1973 and has remained there to the present. Weber has provided many educational presentations to various national, regional, state, and local organizations over the years. He has an extensive resume of service to several NATA and AATA committees and athletic equipment related advisory boards. Weber has been published in the Sports Medicine Guide, Athletic Purchasing and Facilities, the American Journal of Sports Medicine, and the Journal of Arkansas Sports Medicine Society. Dean Weber has received a variety of honors and awards throughout his career, including being inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame award in 1993, the Arkansas Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1998, and the University Of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 2000. In addition, he was named the Arkansas Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer of the Year Award in 1998. Professionally, he served on the athletic training staffs for three US Olympic Sports Festivals in Colorado Springs and Indianapolis and an athletic trainer for the US Olympic Team in 1984 at the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. He is proudest, however, of the endowed scholarship in his name created in 2006 by the seniors on the 1979 Southwest Conference Champions in football.
Class of 1994
Michael K. “Spanky” Stephensgraduated from Blinn Junior College in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1970 from the University of Texas. Spanky’s professional experience included serving as an assistant athletic trainer for the University of Texas from 1970 to 1978 and head athletic trainer from 1978 to 2000. Also, from 1985 to 1990, Stephens was the owner of Texas Rehab, an outpatient rehabilitation facility. Governmental Affairs has been a strong interest of Spanky’s. He has served as a legislative representative for the SWATA from 1978 to the present in conjunction with the SWATA lobbyist. He was the chair of the SWATA Governmental Affair Committee from 1978 to 1998, which was instrumental in the passage of various bills affecting the athletic trainer and their practice. Spanky also served on the NATA’s Governmental Committee from 1978 to 1996, which assisted in the development of state licensure and regulation for over 30 states during Spanky’s tenure. Stephens was appointed and subsequently reappointed to the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers from 1978 to 2000 by the governor of Texas. In June of 2001, Spanky became the Executive Director of the Texas State Athletic Trainers’ Association. Spanky has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years including being a two-time recipient of the SWATA Eddie Wojecki Award (1984 and 1997) and the Frank Medina Award in 1986. Stephens was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1994. Most recently, Spanky was named Outstanding Athletic Trainer by the All American Football Foundation Hall of Honor (2001).
Class of 1995
Robert E. “Bobby” Patton earned a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in Physical Education/ Social Science in 1962 and earned a Masters of Education Degree 1963 from Southwest Texas State University (SWTSU) (now Texas State University-San Marcos). He earned a Doctor of Education Degree in 1969 from the University of North Texas. Dr. Patton’s professional career has been exclusively at Texas State University. He began in 1962 as an assistant instructor and head athletic trainer and progressed from instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and reached full professor in 1976. He also served his department as interim chair twice (1989-1990) (2006-2007) and associate chair from 1990 to 2005. He became Program Director of Texas State’s Undergraduate Athletic Training Program in 1972 and served in that position until 2005 when he become a full time professor in Athletic Training and Human Performance, a position he currently holds. Dr. Patton’s professional service is extensive. A few of his positions include: SWATA publicity director (1974-1975), SWATA president (1976-1977), president of the Alamo Area Athletic Trainers (1983-1984), Education Committee member of the SWATA (1998), Education and Examination Committee member of the Texas Department of Health- Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers (1998-2001), Grant Reviewer for the NATA Research and Education Foundation (1997-1999), and Research and Injury Committee member of the NATA (1986-1990). Dr. Patton has authored a textbook and its revision, several journal articles, newsletter articles, and abstracts. In addition, Patton has delivered numerous presentations to various groups and organizations. Patton has received numerous honors and awards. He was named NATA Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2004 and Distinguished Alumni Award from the SWTSU College of Education in 2002. In 1995 Dr. Patton was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame. Most recently, 2004, he was given the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Alumni Association of Texas State University. Presently, he has been a member of the faculty at Texas State University for 48 continuous years, exceeding any previous faculty member in service to the University.
Class of 1996
Roy Don Wilson worked in a variety of athletic training employment settings throughout his career. Upon graduating from Texas A&M University in 1964, he began as the head athletic trainer at Odessa Ector High School. He entered the college ranks as the assistant athletic trainer at Florida State University from 1966 to 1968. He later served as head athletic trainer for The Citadel, University of Kentucky, and Southwestern Louisiana. Wilson experienced the clinical setting as the clinic director of the Sports Medicine Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky from 1982 to 1983. Roy Don was the head athletic trainer for the USFL’s Houston Gamblers from 1983 to 1985. He later served as the director of the Sports Rehab Clinic of Houston, Texas from 1985 to 1988. Wilson also has a variety of service opportunities to both the NATA and SWATA. He was the secretary and chair of Joint Commission of Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspect of Sports from 1975 to 1982. He served on the executive board of District IX of the NATA, and completed his term as president from 1977 to 1982 and District IX director from 1982 to 1983. After returning to Texas, Wilson served as SWATA President 1988-89. Roy Don was also appointed chair of NATA’s Clinical/ Corporate Athletic Trainers Committee in 1987. Roy Don Wilson was posthumously inducted to the SWATAT Hall of Fame in 1996.
Class of 1997
Truman Spoon attended his first SWATA meeting on the campus of Baylor University, in Waco Texas during the summer of 1963. He earned three degrees from Sul Ross State University: his bachelor’s degree in 1967, a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Education. His first job was at Andress High School in El Paso, Texas, where he stayed from 1967 to 1973. In 1973 he accepted a position at Monahans High School and remained there for five years. He later had an opportunity to experience sales as a representative for Alert Services. He stayed with Alert Services from 1979 to 1992, until he returned to the practice of athletic training at Alpine High School in 1993. Spoon stayed in Alpine until 2002 and then he accepted a position at Montwood High School (Socorro Independent School District) in El Paso, Texas. Spoon is the founder and long-time director of the Davis Mountain Sports Medicine Clinic which has provided quality continuing education for athletic trainers for many years. Truman was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1997.
Class of 1998
Ronald “Ron” Carroll became the first certified athletic trainer at Arkansas State University, Ron Carroll has been head athletic trainer since August 1976 and an athletic training instructor since January 1986. Carroll assisted with Arkansas State University becoming the first school in Arkansas to offer a Nationally Accredited Athletic Training Curriculum in April 1999. Ron has lectured at local, state, district and national levels. Carroll was a founding member of the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association in 1987. He has served as the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association President and Legislative Committee member. Ron has served as the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association President, SWATA Arkansas State Representative, and the National Athletic Trainers Association District Six Representative on the Continuing Education Committee, the Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Committee on Reimbursement. Since 1996, Ron has also served as the Governor’s appointment and Chairman of the Arkansas State Board of Athletic Training. Among his honors are the Arkansas State University Hall of Honor (2005), Indiana State University Athletic Training Outstanding Alumnus (2006), Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame (1999), Southwest Athletic Trainers Association Unsung Hero (1997), SWATA Hall of Fame (1998), Frank Medina Award (2002) and National Athletic Trainers Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (1998) and NATA Hall of Fame in (2003).
Dennis Hart earned his Bachelors of Science and a Master’s of Education degree from the University of North Texas. He has served as an athletic trainer since 1970. He has served at Fort Worth Paschal High School, North Garland High School, and he has been at North Mesquite High School since 1973. Dennis retired from North Mesquite in 2006 and he is now employed as the director for clinical services for the Sports Medicine Clinic of North Texas in Dallas, Texas. He is also serves as a part-time middle school athletic trainer for the Mesquite Independent School District coordinating event coverage and athletic healthcare services. Dennis has been an active leader in SWATA. He served as President (1997-98) and two terms as Texas State Representative. Dennis chaired the founding committee of the Texas State Athletic Trainers’ Association. He has served as a Regional Director, and was the first president of the TSATA Board of Directors. Dennis Hart has been honored at the state, district and national level for his efforts and service. He was recognized by the Texas High School Coaches Association as Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1998; he was also inducted into the SWATA Hall of fame in 1998. Hart was recipient of the 1999 National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Most Distinguished Award. In 1999 Dennis was awarded the Eddie Wojecki and in 2001 he received the SWATA Frank Medina Award for distinguished service to the athletic training profession. Hart remains active today in service to the profession by serving as the SWATA Disrict 6 representative to the NATA Governmental Affairs Council. He has dedicated his life to the promotion and advancement of the athletic training profession at the state, district, and national level.
Class of 1999
Everett Blackburn received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Emporia State University and completed post graduate work at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He was the athletic trainer for the Big Spring ISD for 9 years, where he also taught elementary physical education in for 3 years. Everett left the high school ranks to become the head athletic trainer at Howard College. Besides directing the sports medicine operations and supervising up to 19 athletic training students per year, he directed the student athletic injuries Outreach Program, and coordinated the college-sponsored "Preventive and Care of Athletic Injuries Outreach Program" to area public school districts. He was later appointed assistant athletic director. Additionally, Blackburn was a qualified associate athletic trainer for the Justin Healer Sports Medicine rodeo program. Blackburn was the perennial chair of the Honors and Awards Committee for SWATA. He volunteered countless hours as the SWATA Secretary from 1995 to the 2000. Blackburn was the recipient of the 1992 Eddie Wojecki Award and was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1999.
Pete Carlon is a model of leadership, dedication, integrity and service to his professional career in the athletic training and athletics administration. A native Iowan, Pete Carlon received his undergraduate education at Iowa State and earned his Masters of Education in Science from Northwest Missouri State. Carlon began his professional career in the high school setting as an athletic trainer/health teacher at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas from 1976-80. After a one year stint as head athletic trainer and NATA curriculum program director at Stephen F. Austin State University, Carlon returned to Arlington as the head athletic trainer at The University of Texas at Arlington in 1981. Carlon moved through the ranks to his current position of director of athletics. Throughout his athletic training and athletics administration career, Carlon served in a number of athletic training leadership positions beginning with service on the NATA Certification Committee, as a BOC test site administrator (1992-91) and as SWATA Honors and Awards co-chair (1984-91). Carlon played an instrumental role in SWATA moving its annual meeting from Waco to Arlington in 1986. He served as the SWATA President (1987-88) and two terms as District Director 1991-97. In addition to his leadership roles, Carlon served the profession with an appointment and service on the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee and the NCAA Drug Testing and Education Subcommittee (1998-2002). He continues to provide service to the athletic training profession by safeguarding the welfare of athletic trainers and student-athletes in his role as the Director of Athletics at The University of Texas at Arlington, President of the Southland Conference and President of the I-AAA Athletics Directors Association. Carlon was recognized with the Eddie Wojecki Award in 1988 and 1996 and the Frank Medina Award 1989. In 1999 he was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1999. He was recognized by NATA as a Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 1998; in 2005 he was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.
Sanford "Sandy" Miller began his career as a student Athletic Trainer at the University of Nebraska in August 1968 where he developed his appreciation for the profession under the tutelage of NATA Hall of Fame Athletic Trainers George Sullivan and Paul Schneider. Sandy then completed his Masters degree at Northwest Missouri State University. Following a two-year stint as the first athletic trainer at Pampa High School in Pampa, Texas, Sandy returned to Northwest Missouri State University as Head Athletic Trainer where he served for six years. Since 1981, he has been the Head Athletic Trainer and Kinesiology instructor at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Miller has served as a volunteer Athletic Trainer at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and was on the Athletic Training staff for the 1990 Goodwill Games, as well as in 1992 and 1995 with the United States Track and Field Association in Great Britain and Goteberg, Sweden. Sandy’s service to SWATA included being the Texas State Representative and District Director 1997- 2006; he served as NATA Vice President from 2003-2004. Miller was also a six-year appointee to the Texas Athletic Training Licensure Board. Miller was named Southland Conference Athletic Trainer of the year in 1991-92. SWATA honored him with the Eddie Wojecki Award in 1988, the Frank Medina Award in1992 and as an inductee into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 1999. The NATA awarded Sandy its Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 1999. Sandy was inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame in 2002.
Class of 2000
T. Ross Bailey graduated from Texas Christian University in 1976 with a degree in Physical Education and an academic emphasis in Athletic Training and a minor in Biology. He later earned a Master of Education Degree in Educational Supervision and Athletic Administration in 1978. After serving as a graduate assistant at TCU, T. Ross became the assistant athletic trainer at TCU, and in 1978 he was named the head athletic trainer. After 20 years of service in that post, he was promoted to director of sports medicine operations in 1998 and in 2000 he was named associate director of athletics at TCU; his administrative duties are related to athletic operations and sports medicine. In addition to his duties at TCU, he is active as an associate athletic trainer in the Justin Sports Medicine Program, which provides quality sports medicine care for participants in the PRCA and PBR rodeo events. Throughout his career, Bailey has been involved various athletic events such as: the Shriner’s Oil Bowl Charity Football Game for Crippled Children, the World Gymnastics Championships, the Colonial National Invitational Golf Tournament, the Texas Special Olympics, the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, and the THSCA All Star Games. Bailey was the first student president of the SWATA Student Athletic Trainers’ Association in 1975, a member of the NATA Symposium and Convention Committee from 1981-1993, SWATA President from 1983-84, on the NATA’s Leadership Council in 1992, on the NATA’s and SWATA’s Collegiate Athletic Trainers’ Committees from 1993-1997, and the NATA’s Education Council for Undergraduates since 1997. He has also been active as an associate executive secretary and board member on the Texas Department of Health Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers. Over the years, Bailey has provided many educational presentations and published scholarly articles. Bailey received the Eddie Wojecki Award in 1981, the Frank Medina Award in 1998, and was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2000.
Doug Gibbins attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1964. Later in his career, Gibbins earned a Master of Science Degree in Physical Education from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas in 1970. Gibbins’ professional experience began in 1965 when he accepted a position as the head athletic trainer, baseball coach, and biology teacher at South Garland High School, Garland, Texas; other positions found Gibbins at Port Neches-Grove High School and Mesquite High School. In 1974, Gibbins accepted a position at Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas as head athletic trainer and adaptive physical education teacher. Gibbins remained at Highland Park to the present, but has recently retired from teaching, and works solely in the athletic training room. Gibbins has also been involved in volunteer and auxiliary athletic training activities over the years. He was part-time athletic trainer for the American Basketball Association (1967); athletic trainer for the semi-pro Dallas Rockets Football team (1968); part-time athletic trainer for the Dallas Sidekicks Pro Soccer team (1968); a member of the Justin Healers sports medicine team, which provides medical care to the cowboys participating in the Mesquite Championship Rodeo (1991 to the present); and part of the Baylor Sports Care Outreach Program (1997 to 2001). Gibbins has an impressive record of sustained service to the athletic training profession. He was the program chair for the Metroplex Athletic Trainers’ Symposium from 1980 to 1993, SWATA president from 1995 - 96, the chair of the SWATA CEU Task Force from 1994 to 1995, and a member of the SWATA Scholarship Committee from 1986 to 1993. In addition, Gibbins was the chair of the SWATA Strategic Planning Committee from 1998 to 2000, co-chair of SWATA Registration from 2003 to 2009, and president of NTATS from 2000 to 2002. Gibbins was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2000. He is also the recipient of the Eddie Wojecki Award in 2002 and the Frank Medina Award in 2003.
Class of 2001
Kenneth “Ken” Wayne Locker grew up in Seminole where he was a student athletic trainer at Seminole High School from 1965 to 1969. In 1973 he received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from North Texas State University and in 1976 his Masters of Art in Physical Education from Texas Woman’s University. Ken’s career has seen him serve from 1973-1990 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Dallas Cowboys, from 1990-1995 as Director of DFW Physical Excellence Center, Coordinator for the Sports Medicine Services for Baylor Health Care System, and currently the Director of Sports Marketing for Texas Health Sports Medicine, Dallas, Texas. Other athletic trainer duties have included the 1974 and 1975 World Championship of Tennis, 1982 NBC’s “Survival of the Fittest,” and consultant to the 1991 World League of American Football. In 1991 Ken went before the camera to play the role of the Athletic Trainer in the movie “Necessary Roughness.” Locker has served his profession in many capacities. His involvement includes serving on the NATA Legislative advisory committee, NATA PAC board for three years, and the Education Committee of the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers 2001to 2004; currently he serves as the NATA Research and Education Foundation District 6 chair. Locker has been recognized by SWATA with the Eddie Wojecki Award in 1987, the Frank Medina Award in 1990, and Sam Ketchum Award 1991. He was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2001. He was inducted into the Texas Woman’s University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. Other honors he has received include the 2001 Foundation Volunteer of the Year, the 1995 NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, and the PFATS Most Distinguished Alumni Award 2004.
Class of 2002
Seth Herbert “Herb” Kensing, Jr. became a student athletic trainer his sophomore year under NATA and SWATA Hall of Fame member, Jerry Rhea. Upon graduation he entered West Texas State University in Canyon and received his BS in Biology in 1970. Herb began his thirty two-year career in 1970 at Plainview High School. In 1975 he moved to L.D. Bell High School and served as the Head Athletic Trainer until 1987 when he became the Athletic Trainer at Pennington Field in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. Additionally, he has served as the Athletic Trainer for such events as the US World Cup, US Team Gymnastics Cup, and traveled with the US Olympic Gymnastics team on their 1980 Exhibition Tour. In the summer of 1990 he served as the Athletic Trainer for the Arena Football Dallas Texans. He was chosen to be the Athletic Trainer for the Texas High School Coaches Association, North Football team in 1983 and served as the Local Chairman for Registration for the 1988 NATA Convention. Herb served as the President of the SWATA in 1984-85, and has served on numerous committees. In 1997 he received the “Ronald Morgan Award”; an award given by the H-E-B ISD Superintendent as a special award given to an employee who has shown special courage or has risen from adversity. Kensing was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2002.
Arnold Lee Thomas’ received his BS in Education from New Mexico State University in 1980, and his Masters of Education from Prairie View A & M University in 1986. Arnold began his career as the Head Athletic Trainer at Cy-Fair H.S. in 1980 and continues in that position until today. His distinguished career has included serving as an Athletic Trainer for two Olympic Sports Festivals, the Winter World University Games, and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Thomas served as President for both GHATS 1992-’94 and SWATA 1997-98. He has served on and chaired numerous committees at the National, District, and Local levels. Arnold’s honors and awards include the Eddie Wojecki Award in 1998, the 2000 Frank Medina Award, the GHATS Bobby Gunn Award, and the 2002 NATA’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. In 1999 he was selected as the Texas High School Coaches Association Athletic Trainer of the Year, and also selected to be the Athletic Trainer for the All-Star Baseball Game. He received the Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. “Outstanding Achievement Award” in 1992 and 1994 and the “Distinguished Achievement Award” in 1998 and 1999. He was inducted into the CFISD “Wall of Fame” in 1998 and 1999. Arnold was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2002.
Class of 2003
John Wesley Harvey entered Wiley College in Marshall and received his Bachelor of Science in 1966, and received his Masters of Science from Prairie View in 1975. His career has led him to employment in the High School, College, and Professional settings. After graduation from Wiley, John began his career in the Aldine Independent School District where he served for two years. He then spent the 1968-1969 school year in Austin Independent School District. In 1969 he became the Head Athletic Trainer at Prairie View A & M University until 1971. In 1971 he returned to Houston and became an Athletic Trainer for the Houston Independent School District until 1974. In 1974 he became the Head Athletic Trainer at Texas Southern University, where he has been for the past 36 years. During this time he also served the summer of 1974 with the Houston Texas World Football Team and was on the home game staff for the Houston Oilers from 1985 until 1996. He has served on committees at the State, District, and National levels. He has served on the Texas Advisory Board of Athletic Training since 1997. He was a member of the SWATA Governmental Affairs Task Force, and Chaired the SWATA Ethnic/Minority Advisory Committee from 1996 to 1998. He served two terms at the National level as member of the NATA Ethnic/Minority Advisory Council from 1991 to 1997. Honors and Awards include the 1996 Black Sports Media Athletic Trainer of the Year, and he was the inaugural recipient of the SWATA John Harvey Humanitarian Award in 2001. John received the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2002, and received the prestigious NATA Bill Chisolm Professional Service Award in 2003. Harvey was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2003.
Randall “Randy” Gene Matthews received his Bachelor of Science from West Texas State University in Canyon in 1977 and his MA from San Angelo State University in 1980. Upon graduation from West Texas State, he spent the first twenty years of his career as the Head Athletic Trainer and Instructor of Kinesiology at San Angelo State University. He served as a part time Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Houston Oilers Professional Football Team from 1978 to 1987. In 1997 he became the Community Sports Medicine Program Director at San Angelo Community Medical Hospital and continues in that position to date. Matthews served as SWATA President 1992-93, two terms as the Texas State Representative (1996-1999), and SWATA Governmental Affairs Representative from 2002 until 2008. At the State level, he has served as the Region 2 representative to TSATA serving as Secretary-Treasurer from 2001 until 2005 and Board Chair from 2005 until 2007. At the National level, he was the SWATA Representative to the NATA Governmental Affairs Committee in 2002. Randy was honored with the Eddie Wojecki Award in1993, the Frank Medina award in 2007 and the NATA 25-Year Award in 1998. Randy was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2003.
William F. “Bucky” Taylor III earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 1974, and received an Masters of Education from North Texas State University in 1976. Bucky began his career in 1974 at Mesquite H.S. where he has served as the Head Athletic Trainer for over 30 years. He has served as the Athletic trainer for the Mesquite I.S.D. Special Olympics Local Meet since 1990. He has served as an Athletic Trainer for the 1998 IAAF U.S. Cross Country Trails and the 2003 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Dallas. He was the Athletic Trainer for the 1978 Texas High School Coaches Association North Football All Star Game in Houston, and the 2003 Tom Landry DFW All Star Football Game in Euless. He was on the founding committee for the North Texas Athletic Trainers’ Society. He served as SWATA President from 2002-03. His service includes the UIL Advisory Council, Internet Task Force, and Chair of the Communications Committee. He has also worked on the 1989 and 2002 NATA Registration Committee when the Symposium was held in Dallas. Honors and awards include the 1988 Mesquite High School Athletic Booster of the Year, 1993 City of Mesquite Mayoral Award, the 2000 Texas High School Coaches Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, and the 2002 Mesquite I.S.D. Outstanding Teacher Award. Taylor was inducted into the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2003.
Class of 2004
Sarah Ellen Wolfskill received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Texas State in 1978 and her Masters from East Texas State University in 1990. Sarah began her twenty five year career in 1979 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at North Mesquite High School under fellow SWATA Hall of Fame member Dennis Hart. She became the Head Athletic Trainer at Dr. Ralph Poteet High School in 1986 where she has been for the past eighteen years. Sarah has served the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association as a member on both the Registration and Scholarship Committees and in 2003 she served as the Co-Chair of the Registration Committee. She has served the National Athletic Trainers’ Association as a member of the Memorial Committee and the 2002 Dallas Host Committee. She has volunteered as an examiner for both the Texas Department of Health and BOC administering the License and Certification exams. Honors and awards include a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Southwest Texas State University, Who’s Who in American Secondary Education Teachers in 1994, the 1992 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Athletic Trainer for Volleyball and Basketball. She has also served as a People to People Sports Ambassador in 2001. Wolfskill was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2004 and holds the distinction of being the first female SWATA Hall of Fame member.
Thomas “Tom” Stephen Woods earned his Bachelor of Science in 1979 from Bridgewater State University. He received his Masters of Science from Indiana State University in 1980 and a Masters of Education from the University of Houston in 1989. Tom began his twenty-four year career as the Head Athletic Trainer at Willowridge High School from 1980 to 1984. In 1984 he became the Head Athletic Trainer at Langham Creek High School where he worked for over twenty years. His highly distinguished career has included serving as a volunteer for the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis and at the United States Olympic Training Center in 1990. Tom served as President for both SWATA 1993-1994 and GHATS 1996-1998. He has served on and chaired numerous committees at the National, District, and Local levels. Honors and awards include the NATA’s 1980 Eddie Wojecki Achievement Award for attaining the highest score in the nation on the Certification Exam and the NATA 2001 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Awards Woods has received from SWATA include the Frank Medina Award in 1997, the Eddie Wojecki Award in 2001, and the 1988 and 1996 Sam Ketcham Award. Other honors include the 1996 Texas High School Coaches Association Athletic Trainer of the Year, the 1999 Greater Houston Baseball All-Star Athletic Trainer, and the 1991 GHATS Bobby Gunn Award. In his twenty years in the Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D., he has received Special Recognition Awards in 1994 and 1995 along with being inducted into the CFISD “Wall of Fame” in 1996 and 2001. Tom Woods was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2004.
Class of 2005
Harold Bennett received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Texas Lutheran University in 1968; he then received his Masters of Education from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio in 1972. Harold began his career in 1968 as the Head Athletic Trainer at MacArthur High School in San Antonio. He has also served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Fort Bend Dulles High School, Texas Lutheran University, University of North Texas, Katy and Beaumont Central High School. Bennett also worked as Athletic Trainer for the Beaumont YMBL Rodeo for Justin Sports Medicine and also part time with Katy ISD and Hempstead ISD during football season and filling in where needed. Harold was SWATA President 1981-82. He was a long time member of the SWATA Honors and Awards Committee. He has volunteered as an examiner for both the Texas Department of Health and BOC administering the License and Certification exams. Honors and awards include the Texas High School Coaches Association Outstanding Service Award for his twenty-four years as the athletic trainer for the North/South All-Star Baseball games and as the Head Athletic Trainer for the 1974 South All-Star Football game. He has been retired from the public school system since 2000, but keeps active as an Athletic Trainer working the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo each year for Justin Sports Medicine and is the full time Facility Administrator for Katy Pony Baseball, Inc. Bennett was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2005.
Mark Sessions Gilbert earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University 1978. Mark began his twenty-five year career as the Head Athletic Trainer at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler in 1979, a position he held for eighteen years before becoming the Head Athletic Trainer at Granbury High School in 1997. Gilbert has served as the Athletic Trainer for both the 2000 All-Star Baseball and the 2004 All-Star Football games. His distinguished career has included serving as a volunteer for both the Mesquite Championship and Fort Worth Southwest Stock Show and Rodeo’s as a member of the Justin Sports Medicine Team. Mark served as SWATA President from 1998-99. He has also served on both the Registration and Honors and Awards Committees. Honors and awards include SWATA 1985 Sam Ketchum Award for Outstanding Professional Lecture, the 1994 Ken Locker Award for Outstanding Presentation to the Student Membership, Above the Call Award sponsored by “Training and Conditioning” magazine, and was inducted into the Granbury High School Athletic hall of Fame in 2003. Mark Gilbert was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2005.
Class of 2006
Dennis McMeekin received his received a BS in Education in 1976 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; he was a Student Athletic Trainer on the 1971 University of Nebraska-Lincoln National Championship Football team. McMeekin earned his Masters of Education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri in 1977. Dennis began his career in 1977 as the Head Athletic Trainer at Pampa High School in Pampa, Texas. From 1979 to 1997 he was the Head Athletic Trainer at Arlington Sam Houston High School. In 1995 he became the Department Chair for Physical Education and Health at Sam Houston High School, in Arlington; he served in that role until he retired in May of 2007 from. Dennis has served the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association as the Banquet Chair from 1986-1991, Convention Chair from 1992-1997, and as a member of the Registration Committee from 1998-2004. He served as the District 6 Representative on the NATA Board of Certification from 1980 to 1985; at the time, he was the only high school athletic trainer on the NATA Board of Certification. He was the SWATA Liaison to the Texas Athletic Trainer Licensing Board in the mid 80's. His additional service to the profession as included volunteering as an Athletic Trainer for the Mesquite Rodeo from 1988 to 1991 and for the Texas Pepsi Games held in Fort Worth and Carrollton (Texas) in the 1980’s and 1990’s. His also served an examiner and proctor for the NATA BOC Certification exam. Honors and awards include being the first SWATA recipient of the Bobby Gunn Award in 1990, the NATA Twenty-Five Year Award, the Dan Libera award for service to the Board of Certification in 2006 and the Arlington I.S.D. Bravo Award. Dennis McMeekin was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bill Wissen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southeastern Louisiana University 1980. Upon graduation Bill served as Head Athletic Trainer at Kalamazoo Central High School, while working on the requirements to receive his Masters of Arts degree in 1982 from Western Michigan University. In 1982 he became the Head Athletic Trainer at Alief Hastings High School, a position he has held to the present. Volunteer services include the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, 30th National Wheelchair Games, and the U.S. Olympic Festival Torch Run. Bill is also the Founder and Owner of WissTech Enterprises. Wissen has served on the NATA Nomenclature Task Force, Council on Employment, and Manuscript Reviewer for the Journal of Athletic Training. His involvement with the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers’ Society includes serving as the Inaugural President for two terms and the Newsletter Editor from 1989-1992, and Organizing Committee for the GHATS Student Athletic Trainer Workshop 1990-1992. He served as the SWATA Program Chair from 1991 to 1995. Honors and awards include the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer and 25 Year Awards in 2003, the Board of Certification Dan Libera Award in 1997, and the SWATA Frank medina Award in 1996. Other awards include the GHATS Bobby Gunn Award in 1990, and the Texas High School Coaches Association Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1997. Bill served as the Athletic Trainer for both the 1991 and 1992 High School All-Star Basketball games, and was selected to Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 2004. Bill Wissen was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Class of 2007
Katherine “Kathy”I. Dieringer received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984, and earned her Masters of Arts while working as a Graduate Assistant at Eastern Kentucky University. Kathy recently earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Texas in May 2007. Kathy served as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for Florida State University from 1985- 87 and then became the Head Athletic Trainer for Texas Woman’s University from 1987 – 98. She served as the Facility Director for Matrix Rehabilitation of Denton from 1998 – 2003. In 2003 she became the President/Co-Owner of D&D Sports Med; Kathy continues to see her company grow to now include three facilities. She has also volunteered at the USOC Training Center, St. Louis Olympic Festival, State of Texas Pepsi Games, USA Gymnastics McDonald’s America’s Cup and National Championships and Texas High School Girls’ Coaches Association All-Star Games. Kathy has served many SWATA committees to include Chair of the SWATA Women in Athletic Training, SWATA Poster Presentation, Student Trainer Essay Writing Contest, Registration, and Program committees. Kathy served on the SWATA Executive Board as Recording Secretary from 1995 - 02 and SWATA President from 2004 – 05. Her NATA service includes the Committee on Revenue and the Women in Athletic Training Committee. Honors and awards include the SWATA Bobby Gunn Award in 2000, the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2002, the NATA 25 Year Award in 2005, and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2007. Kathy Dieringer was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2007.
Class of 2008
Jeff Bass earned both his Bachelor of Science degree (1980) and his Masters of Science degree in Sports Administration (1997) from Texas Tech University. Jeff began his career as the Head Athletic Trainer at Pecos High School in 1980. He has also served at Midland Lee, Ingram-Tom Moore and Andrews High Schools. Jeff’s career includes experience at the collegiate level as Assistant Athletic Trainer at Texas Tech and Head Athletic Trainer at Abilene Christian University. Bass served as an Athletic Trainer at West Texas Orthopedics in Midland, Texas prior to returning to his current position as Head Athletic Trainer at Andrews High School. Jeff has volunteered with the USA Track and Field Championships, West Texas Fair and Rodeo and the Texas Police Olympics. Bass was SWATA President in 1999-2000 and is the current SWATA Treasurer. Jeff has served on numerous SWATA committees including CUATC, Educational, Program and Registration. He has served as a TSATA Governmental Affairs representative and as a test examiner for the ABAT and BOC. Jeff received both the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award and the 25 Year Service Award in 2003. He was the recipient of the Frank Medina Award in 2006. Jeff was honored with the Davis Mt. Clinic Everett Blackburn Memorial Award in 2008. Other awards include serving as the Athletic Trainer for the TGCA All Star Games in 1983, THSCA All Star Basketball Game in 2004, and service awards from Andrews ISD, Motley County ISD, and Midland College. Jeff Bass was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2008.
Class of 2009
Brian Conway graduated from Texas Christian University in 1984 with a B.S. in Education with an endorsement in Athletic Training. Brian began his career at the secondary school then moved to the collegiate level at the University of Texas at Arlington. During his tenure at UTA he took a six month assignment as the Head Athletic Trainer of the Dusseldorf Rhein Fire of the World Football League. Brian is currently employed as the Director of Ben Hogan Sports Therapy Institute in Fort Worth, Texas. Brian’s service to the profession includes SWATA President and two terms as District Director. Additionally, he has served on numerous SWATA committees, TSATA Governmental Affairs, Board of Certification Test Site Administrator, and Hosts for the Texas State Licensure Exam. Brian has provided voluntary athletic services to numerous non-profit and educational organizations over the years. His honors and awards from SWATA include the Bobby Gunn Unsung Hero Award in 1999, the Eddie Wojecki Award in 2003, and the Frank Medina Award in 2004. Honors and Awards from NATA include a 25-Year Service Award (2006) and Volunteer of the Year from the NATA Research and Education Foundation (2007). Brian Conway was inducted to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2009.
