NATA Hall of Fame Inductees for 1981
Named the Executive Director of the NATA in 1971, Otho Davis' athletic training career has been as illustrious as it has been notable. Davis, who has served as the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles since 1973, got his start in athletic training in 1954 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas for the military service teams. After serving for the service teams in Leavenworth for two years, Davis held athletic training positions at Lamar, Kent State and Duke Universities as well as the Baltimore Colts before accepting his present position. Throughout his career, Davis has been recognized as an outstanding teacher, author and active member of the NATA.
O. William "Bill" Dayton began his athletic training career by being appointed the head athletic trainer at the University of Miami in 1938. After serving as athletic trainer at several various universities, Dayton became head athletic trainer at Yale University in 1956 and served there until his retirement in 1978. Dayton, a founding father of the NATA, has given more than 40 years of his life to the athletic training profession.
One of the most popular individuals associated with the Florida State athletic program is Don Fauls. Affectionately known as "Rooster". Fauls has been treating Florida State athletes since 1954. Fauls came to Florida State after serving as athletic trainer for professional baseball teams in Greensboro, North Carolina and Omaha, Nebraska. He has worked as an athletic trainer for the U.S. Pan American team and was a member of the Olympic Training Selection Committee.
Tom Healion began his athletic training career with the Toronto Argonauts in 1954. After athletic training stints at the University of Pittsburgh, Northwestern University and the University of Indiana, in 1972 Healion was appointed head athletic trainer for the New England Patriots - a position he still holds. Healion, an active member in the NATA has had five of his former assistants go on to hold head athletic training positions.
A graduate of Florida State University where he served as a student and, eventually as head athletic trainer, Fred Hoover went on to become head athletic trainer at Clemson University. Hoover, who served as the NATA's President from 1964 to 1967, has been selected to be an athletic trainer for the Pan American Games as well as for the U.S. Olympic Team. A noted lecturer and instructor, Hoover has conducted numerous sports medicine clinics and workshops.
Warren Morris learned athletic training from two of the profession's most notable athletic trainers - A. D. Dickerson of Northern Iowa University and Alfred " Duke" Wyre at the University of Maryland. From that solid background, Morris, who received his masters from the University of Maryland, went on to be named head athletic trainer at the University of Georgia in 1965. An active member of the NATA, Morris has been active in the athletic training scene in Georgia as well. He was the first licensed athletic trainer in the state of Georgia and later became the chairman for the Georgia License Examination of Athletic Training.
A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Ed Motley was recognized as an outstanding athlete at Petersburg High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball. Motley attended William & Mary University where he played football and baseball. After a stint in the Army, he coached for 10 years at the high school level and eventually came to Virginia Tech in 1952 as athletic trainer in charge of all sports. Since 1978 Motley has served as athletic trainer for all women's athletics at Virginia Tech.
Bob Peterson got his start in athletic training in 1929 at Northwestern University under fellow Hall of Famer Carl Erickson. After 13 years at Northwestern, Peterson was appointed head athletic trainer at Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he set up the center's first athletic training room. Peterson went on to serve as an athletic trainer at Indiana University, the University of California - Berkeley and the University of Washington. Now enjoying his retirement, Peterson is an avid gardener and salmon fisherman.
An athletic trainer since 1948, Buddy Taylor was the third black to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Taylor, who got his athletic training start with the Richmond Rams Semi-Pro Football Team, has served as head athletic trainer and assistant professor of the Department of Health and Physical Education since 1974 at Winston Salem State University. During his athletic training career, Taylor has come to be recognized as an excellent lecturer, author and teacher of athletic training skills and has served as athletic trainer for various international athletic teams.