NATA Hall of Fame

1954 - 2014

Tina Bonci revolutionized health care delivery for elite student-athletes, particularly female athletes, during her nearly 30 year tenure with the University of Texas. Bonci was one of the first in the profession to research women's predisposition to specific injuries and urged companies to create athletic shoes and apparel specifically designed for women. Ever focused on the total care of her athletes, she pioneered a wellness program to prevent unwanted pregnancies and STDs among student-athletes, and served as lead author of an NATA position statement on the detection and prevention of eating disorders in athletes. Bonci was named the U.S. women's basketball athletic trainer for the gold medal-winning 1984 team under Coach Pat Summit. Bonci's contributions to athletic training will benefit the profession for years to come.

Kenneth Wright, a professor at the University of Alabama, is a distinguished scholar, researcher and educator who is a respected expert and sought-after presenter across the globe. Wright has authored two textbooks, countless scholarly articles and secured numerous research grants, all of which has contributed to the advancement of athletic training and athletic training education. Among many appointments to the editorial boards of several publications, Wright served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Athletic Training for 12 years. In recognition of his service, the JAT established an award in his honor. Consistently recognized for his achievements and expertise, Wright was appointed to the US Anti-Doping Agency, the US Olympic Committee and has been awarded with the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award.

As an educator, clinician, volunteer and advocate, Paula Sammarone Turocy's impact on the profession of athletic training is immeasurable. A former chair of the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs Joint Review Committee on Athletic Training, and founding chair of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, she has influenced the education of athletic trainers throughout the country. A recognized volunteer and activist at the local, state and national levels, Turocy contributed to the advancement of the regulatory status and licensure of ATs in Pennsylvania. Turocy, who was the first Anna Rangos Rizakus Endowed Chair at Duquesne University, is currently a professor of athletic training and Director of the Pre-Medical and Health Professions Programs at the University.

One of the professions' trailblazers, Catherine “Katie” Grove began her career as an athletic trainer when there were relatively few women in the profession. Since then, Grove has been a leader, example and advocate for female athletic trainers, serving as chair of the NATA Women in Athletic Training Committee. Grove is the Athletic Training Director at Indiana University, where she was recognized with the Excellence in Support of Women's Athletics, Health and Wellness Award. A former president of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association and the Indiana Athletic Trainers' Association, Grove is a committed leader at all levels of the profession.

Mark Gibson is known as a leader within the profession who has committed his career to the advancement of athletic training. Gibson has served the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, first as head athletic trainer from 1985 to 1993, and as the director of its undergraduate athletic training program since 1993. As former vice president of the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers' Association, Gibson was instrumental in securing licensure for athletic trainers in his state. He became the president of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association in 2006 and was elected to the NATA Board of Directors in 2007. Gibson served the NATA in numerous committee leadership positions and is current Chair of the International Committee.

As an educator and researcher, David Draper has had an immeasurable impact on the field of athletic training. Through more than 100 publications and 300 presentations and seminars, Draper has introduced therapeutic modality principles and applications based on research and scientific evidence to athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other professionals. He is recognized as a pioneer of research in ultrasound and diathermy. Dedicated to the profession in all settings, Draper is a former president of the Utah Athletic Trainers' Association, former chair of the written examination committee of the BOC and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Athletic Training. He is currently a professor of sports medicine and athletic training at Brigham Young University.

Recognized for elevating athletic training at the secondary school level, Jon Almquist has served the Fairfax County Public Schools System as an athletic trainer, teacher and administrator for more than 30 years. Dedicated to addressing and reducing sports-related concussions, Almquist has improved secondary school athletic training through his research and instruction. Through his service to the Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association, he has worked to pass legislation in his home state. An avid volunteer, Almquist served the NATA as a member of the Pronouncements Committee, the NATA Inter-Association Task Force for Appropriate Care of the Spine, and as chair of the Secondary School Athletic Trainers' Committee.

Charlie Thompson is known for his leadership and the shining example he sets for others in the profession of athletic training. His commitment to the profession has contributed to a positive image and elevated role of athletic trainers in the realm of healthcare and sports medicine. Thompson, a past president of the EATA, has held numerous NATA volunteer positions including District Two treasurer and CUATC chair. He has served as a member of various workgroups and task forces including Vision Quest, Governance and as the liaison to the American Football Coaches Association. Thompson has worked for the athletic training department at Princeton University for more than three decades and is in his 14th year as head athletic trainer.

Ralph Reiff, an innovator in the field of athletic training, developed a tool to track downstream revenue and demonstrate the business value of athletic trainer outreach. Regarded as a leader in his state, he was instrumental in the passage of the Indiana certification regulation and licensure. As committed to his athletes as he is to the profession, Reiff piloted several initiatives including a program to provide athletic training and medical services to the Butler University ballet program, an athletic training internship program and an injured athlete support group, among many others. Due to his expertise, he was selected to help plan and coordinate all aspects of medical care for the 1996 Olympic games. Reiff is the executive director of St. Vincent's Sports Performance.

Dr. Robert Kersey is well known for his commitment to athletic training education and the development of young professionals. As a teacher, researcher and mentor, his impact on the profession is immeasurable. Kersey's research related to anabolic steroid use is highly regarded and cited, establishing him as an international expert on the subject with numerous presentations and media appearances. He serves his profession as a member of the NATA Research & Education Foundation Board of Directors, a reviewer for the Journal of Athletic Training and as a member of various committees at the national, state and local levels. Kersey is a professor and director of the athletic training education program at California State University, Fullerton.