1919 - 2007
Ed Pillings played football for Washington State University before World War II sent him to the South Pacific. Upon his return, Pillings became a student of Pinky Newell, who introduced him to the career that would become his lifelong pursuit. Pillings split his time between the classroom and the athletic training room, serving a 20-year stint at West Point.
Sayers “Bud” Miller made his greatest contribution in the form of scholarly advancement. He was a prolific author, a productive researcher and a national leader in athletic training education. He established an education framework through his program at Penn State University.
Bruce Melin joined the staff at Washington University (St. Louis) in 1949 as an athletic trainer and faculty member and worked there until his retirement in 1977; after that he worked there another 11 years on a part-time basis. Melin was a consultant for the St. Louis Football Cardinals.
1917 - 2006
Eddie Coppola has become part of the bedrock of Seton Hall University, where he served for more than 30 years. He was so well respected that he became the first athletic trainer inducted to the university's prestigious Athletic Hall of Fame. Seton Hall also honors his legacy by funding the “Edward A. Coppola Award” for an athlete who has overcome medical adversity.
1924 - 1999
Under head athletic trainer Jim Conboy's leadership, the U.S. Air Force Academy's athletic training program expanded to serve the Academy's 41 intercollegiate athletic teams and 17 intramural sports. Conboy, who was with the Academy when it opened its doors in 1955, retired in 1998.
1929 - 1984
Bobby Brown was one of the best-known athletic trainers on the Houston professional sports scene. Brown got his start as a student working with the Houston Oilers. As the sole support for his mother, he was forced to drop out of school and take a series of full-time jobs that eventually led him back to Houston, where built a legacy of tough love and success.
1919 - 1989
Robert Weingart made a strong impression at Marquette University, serving as head athletic trainer from 1946-84. Marquette retired the number 38 in Weingart's honor in recognition of his 38 years of service to the school. He cared for the 1972 Olympic team and for the College All-Star football teams from 1950-52.
1923 - 1987
Byron Bird's name became synonymous with athletic training at Oklahoma State University almost from his first day as a student there in 1946. Bird, who graduated in 1949, became his alma mater's football athletic trainer in 1950. He spent his career developing the program on campus and promoting the profession in Oklahoma.
1927 - 2012
Tom Wilson always said he was lucky to have studied under fellow Hall of Famer Frank Medina for two years. From that solid beginning, Wilson became the head athletic trainer at the University of Houston from 1953-93. Taking Medina's example to heart, he focused on being a mentor and encouraging students to join the profession.
1922 - 1985
Several generations of Tulane athletes benefited from the knowledge of Earl “Bubba” Porche. During his 36 years as head athletic trainer, he became an important part of athletes' lives; Porche was attending a former athlete's wedding when he suffered a fatal heart attack. During his career, Porche cared for the U.S. Track team in 1967 and served at the 1971 Pan-American Games.