NATA Hall of Fame

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.

1924 - 1998

In 1957, Lorain “Tow” Diehm came to the University of New Mexico as head athletic trainer and held that position for 40 years. After being wounded in the invasion of Normandy, Diehm started his athletic training career in 1948 at Santa Rosa Junior College. He later worked at his college alma mater, Kansas State Teachers College, and Michigan State University. Diehm was a respected lecturer and mentor.

Milford “Kenny” Howard, head athletic trainer of Auburn athletes from 1949-80, built one of the first athletic trainer/team physician relationships in college sports, working closely with Jack Hughston, MD. He was one of seven Olympic athletic trainers in 1952, and he was selected for several All-Star games as well as the 1975 Pan-Am Games. Howard is now retired.

1925 - 1988

Victor Recine was an early advocate of athletic training legislation, prompting a bill to license athletic trainers in New Jersey. He spent his career caring for high school athletes; after 19 years at New Brunswick High School, he became head athletic trainer at Sayreville High School in 1962. During World War II he was athletic trainer for the Sampson Naval Training Station Yellow Jackets.

1910 - 2007

Rod Kimball became a legend while serving at Brigham Young University from 1937-75. Known as the man with the Midas touch, he developed treatment techniques and prevention procedures still in use at BYU. Kimball also was a trusted mentor and confidant for athletes, students and even coaches, reminding them to “strive not to be the best in the world, but the best for the world.”

1895-1983

Starting in 1920, Charles Turner spent 60 years as an athletic trainer; in 1942 he also earned a chiropractic degree and designation as a naturopathy physician. Turner cared for Olympians, Harlem Globetrotters, college athletes; he also played, coached and provided athletic training services for the Negro National League. He lectured in Israel, Venezuela, Jamaica and throughout Europe. Turner finished his career at Long Island University.

1920 - 1989

Edward Sulkowski impacted the amateur boxing world, not with his powerful left hook, but with his skill in providing care. He began his career in 1948 as a student under Chuck Medlar at Penn State, where he remained. Sulkowski officiated Army boxing championships and was president of the NCAA Boxing Coaches Association.

1924 - 2007
NATA President #1

From his first job as assistant athletic trainer at Rice Institute in 1947, Bobby Gunn made an impact on the profession. A respected lecturer and author, Gunn was head athletic trainer at Lamar University before working for the Washington Redskins and Houston Oilers. Gunn served on the NATA board from 1965-69. In 1970, he became the first elected president in NATA history.

1909 - 1999

A respected athletic trainer, lecturer, teacher and author, Tony Dougal made a name for himself throughout New England. After playing professional baseball and football, Dougal was head athletic trainer at Boston University from 1962-76. He cared for the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team in Montreal.

1914 - 1983

Ed Block was a friend, confidant and healer for the Baltimore Colts from 1954-77. The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation now advocates for children in crisis. In addition to caring for the Colts, Block worked with area Baltimore hospitals and with the in-space conditioning program for NASA.