NATA Presidents
Gary Delforge
1969
Gary Delforge is recognized as a premier educator in athletic training. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Kent State. He spent some time at Western Michigan University and then became the Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Arizona in 1963. Gary served as an Associate Professor and the Director of the Graduate Athletic Training Education Program at the University of Arizona. Delforge has had a truly profound effect on the athletic training field, mainly in the area of athletic training education. In 1972 he developed and directed one of the first two NATA-approved graduate athletic training education programs. Gary has also been a member of the NATA professional education committee for over 17 years, seven of which he was chairman. He also served as the Chairman of the NATA Board of Directors. Gary pioneered the establishment of educational programs, objectives and standards of performance that will have a lasting effect on all in the athletic training profession. Gary was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1988.