NATA Hall of Fame

Eddie J. Wojecki - 1965

1911 - 1967

A founding member of NATA, Eddie Wojecki was active in the profession for more than 50 years. His longest stint as head athletic trainer was at Rice University, 1945-67. An author of several magazine articles on athletic training techniques, Wojecki was the head athletic trainer for the 1952 U.S. Olympic Team in Helsinki. He chaired the committee that instituted a Hall of Fame.

Edward G. Zanfrini - 1965

1902 - 1969

Edward G. Zanfrini's fame reached beyond Princeton University, where he began his career in 1933. Described as “the conscience of Princeton football,” Zanfrini was a member of the U.S. Olympic athletic training staff four times. In 1970, the Edward Zanfrini Memorial Room was dedicated to house trophies and awards given to the Tiger athletic trainer.

Frank E. Medina - 1965

1915 - 1985

A founding member of NATA, Frank Medina served on the first Board of Directors. He was the head athletic trainer for the University of Texas from 1945-78. In addition to being twice named “Trainer of the Year” by the Rockne Club Foundation, Medina served on the Texas Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness and as consultant for the President's Counsel on Physical Fitness in 1964.

Jules Reichel - 1965

1908-1992

Jules Reichel joined the Syracuse athletic training department in 1931. After a four-year hiatus for World War II, during which he sometimes taught athletic training techniques to soldiers, Reichel returned in 1947 to become head athletic trainer. Reichel helped design a custom-built mouthpiece for football players.

Lloyd “Snapper” Stein - 1965

1907-1987

Lloyd “Snapper” Stein worked with every great University of Minnesota football player from Bronco Nagurski to Carl Eller. Stein spent virtually all of his life at MU, arriving on campus in 1928 as an undergraduate student and retiring in 1975 as head athletic trainer. Stein was served as the president of the first NATA in 1940.

Walter Bakke - 1965

1899 - 1987

Walter “Doc” Bakke was one of the most familiar figures in University of Wisconsin athletic history. He served as head athletic trainer from 1936 until retiring in 1966. Bakke also was the athletic trainer for the St. Louis Cardinals for a brief time during the “Gas House Gang” era.

Elvin C. Drake - 1964

1903 - 1988

Elvin “Ducky” Drake retired from coaching the UCLA track teams at the end of the 1964 season to concentrate on his duties as athletic trainer. In 1973 UCLA honored him by naming the home of its track and field/soccer teams Drake Stadium.

Henry Schmidt - 1964

1905-1984

Henry “Schmitty” Schmidt was an athletic trainer at the University of Santa Clara from 1927-77. In addition to working with Bronco athletes he spent time helping with the Los Angeles Rams summer sessions. A park in Santa Clara now bears his name.

Mickey O'Brien - 1964

1905 - 1986

Mickey O'Brien went to work for the University of Tennessee in 1938, just in time to help with three successive perfect seasons and trips to bowl games. He helped form the Southeastern Conference Trainers Association and served as its first president. O'Brien is the namesake for an award that recognizes college athletic trainers.

Billy Fallon - 1962

1890-Unknown

From 1947-57 Bill Fallon was head athletic trainer at the Naval Academy, previously serving athletes at Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, California, St. Mary's and the Navy Pre-Flight School. Fallon also cared for the 1920, 1932, 1936 and 1952 U.S. Olympic Teams.