NATA Hall of Fame

Dr. Robert “Bobby” Patton has served his alma mater, Texas State University, as athletic trainer and educator for half a century. A strong and committed proponent of education, Patton has developed over 30 courses in athletic training, more than 50 lectures and presentations, and created one of the first athletic training degree programs to receive national accreditation. Texas State University recently honored Patton with a scholarship in his name. In addition to his academic pursuits, Patton has been active in the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, the Texas Athletic Trainers' Association and NATA. In 1971, he testified on behalf of the Texas licensure bill, the first athletic training practice act in the country.

Nick Pappas, known for his legislative efforts, crafted the language for the Tennessee Practice Act and the creation of the state's Board of Athletic Trainers. He served as the charter president of the Georgia state association and president of the Tennessee association. He was instrumental in the formation of the Arena Football League Physicians and Athletic Trainers Association and has been involved as a volunteer and leader for many professional organizations and causes. Pappas works for the Florida State University Department of Athletics and teaches in the athletic training curriculum.

Nearly 30 years at Michigan State University, Dr. Sally Nogle is an outstanding educator and professional who is an inspiration to students, athletes and colleagues. She presents regularly at athletic training meetings, is a textbook chapter author and product developer. Nogle chaired the NATA International and International Games Committees and served on the NATA Foundation board. Named a San Diego State University Robert J. Moore Distinguished Alumnus, Nogle has received the MSU Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award, GLATA Outstanding Educator Award, NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award and Gail Weldon Award for Excellence, and was inducted into the MATS Hall of Fame.

As the former head athletic trainer for the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts , and more than 40 years of experience at the high school, collegiate, clinical and industrial sports medicine settings, John Lopez has made a strong contribution to athletic training. Widely known for his efforts advocating for the clinical setting, Lopez was a founding member and first chair of the NATA Clinical/Industrial/Corporate Committee and established one of the first physician extender programs in the country. Lopez served on the NATA CAQ Task Force, is the current chair of the Service Award Sub-committee and is a past recipient of the PFATS Outstanding Alumni Award. He is the current director of sports medicine at Coppin State University in Baltimore.

Dr. Marjorie King's research and publishing activities, athletic training education accomplishments, her work advancing women in the profession, and clinical experience in multiple settings make her a respected mentor and much sought after presenter. King was the first woman president of the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association and was selected to give the EATA “Pinky” Newell address. She served as the second chair of the NATA Women in Athletic Training Committee, and was on the executive boards of the New Hampshire Athletic Trainers' Association and the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts. King is the current director of graduate athletic training education at Plymouth State University.

Roger Kalisiak has been a committed activist at all levels of the profession. He co-authored his state licensure act and wrote a proposal that expanded from one to three the number of athletic trainers at each school in his high school's district. The only two-term president in the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association history, Kalisiak went on to be GLATA president and history and archives chair, and chaired the 1993 NATA annual meeting scientific program. Named the 1993 NATA High School Athletic Trainer of the Year, and NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 1995, Kalisiak also received the Hoffman Estates High School Principal's Award for Excellence and Golden Hawk Award, and the GLATA Golden Pinnacle Award.

Dennis Hart's athletic training career began in 1970. He was the athletic trainer at North Mesquite High School for 33 years and has worked for the Sports Medicine Clinic of North Texas. Hart chaired the founding committee of the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association. He also served as a TSATA regional director and was the first chair of its board of directors. An active leader in the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, Hart served on its executive board as Texas representative and president. Hart remains actively involved in SWATA, NATA, and TSATA, and he recently co-authored the Texas HB 2038, Natasha's Law, which mandates a standard of care for secondary school athletes suffering sports-related concussions.

Chris Gillespie is director of athletic training education at Samford University where he has worked for more than three decades. Past president of the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association and co-founder of its annual student meeting, Gillespie also served on the NATA College/University Athletic Trainers' Committee. As one of the first athletic trainers to support sickle cell trait screening and be an advocate for athletes with this condition, he was part of the NATA Inter-Association Task Force on Sickle Cell Trait and the Athlete and has spoken extensively and published on this topic. Gillespie's work with endurance athletes through TEAM 413 - GRACERUNNER MINISTRIES, a non-profit ministry he founded in 2003, is of significant importance.

During his 36 years with the Philadelphia Phillies and a World Series title, Jeff Cooper has promulgated a legacy of leadership, education and advocacy. A founding member of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society, Cooper was a two-term president, serving 18 years on the PBATS executive committee. By drawing attention to the widespread use and dangers of smokeless tobacco, Cooper is credited with helping to change the face of baseball by breaking the sport's strong connection to spit tobacco. Cooper modeled for other professional baseball ATs how to maximize Capitol Hill visits and promote athletic training to legislators.

Known as a determined leader advocate for clinical athletic trainers late in his career, Roy Don Wilson died in 1992 after battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Wilson worked in the high school setting before stints at The Citadel, Florida State and Kentucky. He was Head Athletic Trainer at Kentucky before moving to the Sports Rehab Clinic in Houston in 1988. He was appointed by the governors of Kentucky, Texas and Louisiana to speak on behalf of the profession.