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.
1916 - 1999
Mel Blickenstaff's 30-year career was punctuated by awards, speeches and recognition. Blickenstaff, the head athletic trainer at Indiana State University from 1962-78, wrote more than 15 articles for professional publications, delivered 50+ speeches and served on several research committees to advance athletic training. He also cared for the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team in Montreal.
Eddie Lane has come a long way in the athletic training profession since he earned $100 for the entire school year as a student athletic trainer at Waite High School in Toledo in 1943. He went on to work at Southern Methodist University, the U.S. Army Medical Corps, North Texas State University and as the head athletic trainer for the Dallas Independent School District. He is retired but remains active.
1903 - 1990
Francis Sheridan was in the athletic training profession for more than 30 years, working as an athletic trainer at Phillipsburg Catholic High School (NJ) and Lafayette College. Sheridan also worked for the 1967 U.S. Olympic and Pan American teams. In 1973 and 1976 he was selected as the head athletic trainer of the U.S. AAU track team.
1925 - 2007
Founding member Jack Rockwell combined his academic, athletic training and business experience into a fruitful career. Rockwell got his start as an assistant at Kansas and ended up with the St. Louis Football Cardinals. Active in NATA, he was the association's Executive Secretary from 1968-71, guiding efforts surrounding certification.
1913 - 2003
For more than 30 years John Lacey was successful with championship teams and great athletes. From 1956-83, as head athletic trainer at the University of North Carolina, Lacey and the Tar Heels football team made it to six bowl games. In 1972 he was an athletic trainer for the Olympic Games in Munich. Lacey also served as an athletic trainer for the gold medal-winning 1964 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team in Tokyo.
1904 - 1984
Bob White, Wayne State University's athletic trainer for more than 30 years, was known as the school's “Ambassador Deluxe.” After coming to WSU in 1951, White spoke to athletes in other countries about athletic training and represented District Four on the NATA Board. He also served as a leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
1924-2013
Warren Ariail graduated from Wofford College in 1948 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps; he then became Wofford's first athletic trainer. His 54-year career took him throughout the country, to athletic training settings ranging from high school to professional sports to clinics. Ariail also appeared in two movies and was a technical advisor for a Charlton Heston film. He is retired and living in South Carolina.
1916 - 1991
Gayle Robinson served his alma mater, Michigan State University, from 1959-82. A 1940 graduate, Robinson lectured on the care and prevention of athletic injuries. He was a member of the athletic training staff for U.S. teams in the 1967 Pan American Games and the 1972 Olympics.
After 42 years tending to hundreds of University of Nebraska athletes, including dozens of elite stars, George Sullivan earned the inaugural Tim Kerin Award for Excellence in Athletic Training. He belongs to the Nebraska football, basketball, and baseball Halls of Fame, and the Nebraska athletic training room bears his name. He is retired but remains the consummate Cornhuskers fan.