NATA Award Descriptions and Criteria

 

NATA Hall of Fame

Award Description
The NATA Hall of Fame was created to recognize members who have demonstrated career excellence in of the athletic training profession. It is the highest honor which may be bestowed upon a member. Therefore, individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame must exemplify the mission statement of the NATA by enhancing the quality of health care provided by athletic trainers and advance the athletic training profession with such qualities as leadership, service, dedication, scholarly activities, promotion and professionalism.

 

Examples of activities that are considered are:

  • Leadership and service at the national, district and state levels.
  • Scholarly activities
  • Honors and awards received
  • Volunteerism at the national, district and state levels
  • Promoting the profession through presentations, educational activities and other activities that build awareness of the athletic training

 

Qualifications

  • These elite candidates must have a minimum of twenty-five years as a certified member of the NATA in good standing.*
  • Individuals may be nominated no more than every other year

 

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Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer

Award Description


The Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes NATA members for their exceptional and unique contributions to the athletic training profession. It reflects a lifetime of dedication to the association and the field of athletic training on the national, district and local levels. Candidates are not expected to have experience in all areas, however this is a national award and contributions at the national level are necessary.  These contributions can include, but are not limited to: leadership and advancement of the association and the profession nationally.

 

Examples of activities that are considered are:

  • Participation and leadership at the district and national levels
  • Athletic training and civic volunteerism at the district and national levels
  • Affiliations with other associations and groups (i.e. allied health care, medical, athletics, etc.)
  • Promoting the profession through national presentations, educational activities and other activities that build awareness of the profession
  • Contributions to the national athletic training landscape

 

Qualifications

  • Candidates must have a minimum of twenty years as a certified member of the NATA in good standing.*
  • Hall of Fame members are ineligible for nomination.

 

Click here for previous recipients

 

 

Athletic Trainer Service Award

Award Description


The Athletic Trainer Service Award recognizes NATA members for their contributions to the athletic training profession and the association. Although this is a national honor, local, state and district service is the focus of this award.

 

Examples of activities that are considered are:

  • State and district participation and leadership
  • Service to the athletic training profession at the state and local levels
  • Community volunteerism at the state and local levels
  • Grassroots public relations, including presentations, building awareness and education

 

Qualifications

  • Candidates must have a minimum of fifteen years as a certified member of the NATA in good standing.*
  • Hall of Fame members and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award recipients are ineligible for nomination.

 

Click here for previous recipients

 

*All certification and membership must be current.

 


Honorary Membership

Award Description
Honorary membership in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association is an exclusive honor reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletic training profession. Though not certified athletic trainers themselves, they have dedicated a significant portion of their careers to advancing, promoting and championing the efforts of our association and its members.

 

Qualifications

  • Non-NATA members may be nominated
  • Associate, International or Supplier members of NATA may be nominated
  • Non-certified or licensed athletic trainers may be nominated
  • A minimum of 15 years of service to the profession is required

 

Former national office staff members who have been employed by NATA at least 15 years are eligible for this award six months after completing employment with the association.

 

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President’s Challenge Award

Award Description
The President’s Challenge award recognizes a lifetime of outstanding contributions that directly impact athletics and athletic training, have a national impact or are of major and lasting importance. This award provides a stimulus for continued service, research and education in the field of athletic health care. It fosters joint recognition among members of the NATA and other disciplines and reminds us of the very important role all groups play in the future of athletic care.

 

Qualifications

  • Non-NATA members may be nominated
  • NATA members may be nominated

 

Click here for previous recipients