Awards Season Begins August 1

July 27, 2015 by Todd Christman
A new award season is upon us! 2016 nominations begin on August 1. The final day to nominate colleagues for a national honor is September 15 and all application materials are due by October 1.

Members of the Hall of Fame, Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, Fellows, Specialty and Athletic Trainer Service Award committees work diligently to be fair and considerate to each nominee, regardless of their work setting, district or any other factor.  Each committee makes every effort to select award winners who measure up to the high standards set by the Board of Directors and each member of our Association. 

It is also important to note the focus of the three NATA awards that have multiple recipients, so the candidate will know specifically what is being measured when their profiles are examined.  The focus and eligibility for each award is:

Athletic Trainer Service Award
This award recognizes participation and leadership on the local and state levels. Members are eligible for this award after 20 years of membership and certification.
 
Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award
This award recognizes participation and leadership on the district and national levels. Members are eligible for this award after 20 years of membership and certification.
 
Hall of Fame
Induction into the Hall of Fame is based on the athletic trainer’s impact and unique contributions to the profession and/or the NATA. Members are eligible for induction into the NATA Hall of Fame after 30 years of membership and certification.
 
The committees are charged with basing their selections, as simply put as possible, on the factors listed above and how the candidate reflects these qualities within their profile and other application materials.  Each committee makes sure every award candidate goes above and beyond what is expected as an AT and a member of the NATA.   Therefore, activities that are required by an employer, however well they are done, would not enhance a profile. 

We encourage all candidates to fill out their profiles completely, including any and all information that might give each committee a full and accurate representation of their attributes. Athletic trainers are humble by nature and it is often difficult for candidates to “brag” about their accomplishments but committee members are charged with evaluating candidates without regard for any factors other than what the profiles reflect.  Previous candidates who are nominated again are strongly encouraged to re-submit their profile with any pertinent updates (i.e. service or activities you may have accidentally omitted or that have occurred since you last submitted your profile). The candidate’s sponsor is strongly encouraged to review the profile before submission and ensure that it fully and accurately presents the candidate’s career accomplishments.

For more information, please visit http://www.nata.org/honors-awards. Please contact Angela De Leon, NATA Honors & Awards Coordinator, with questions at angelad@nata.org