The NATA Secondary School Athletic Trainers' Committee has established the Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award to recognize deserving athletic trainers in secondary schools across the country. Speifically this award recognizes eleven district winners and one overall national winner.
Qualifications
- Elevate the athletic training profession at the secondary school level.
- Provide public awareness, promotion and education about the AT’s role in their local communities.
- Contribute to their communities beyond their athletic environments.
- Help establish and maintain the athletic trainers’ presence in the secondary school setting.
- Provide quality patient health care.
- Volunteering and Leadership within the association
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Working relationships with stakeholders (Admin, Coaches, Parents and Athletes)
- Have published work or speaker for continuing education event or other educational session
- Mentoring of other athletic trainers
- Mentoring high school students interested in the profession
- Submission of your complete school Policy and Procedure Manual
- Submission of all venue specific Emergency Action Plans
- Provide information on your Athletic Training Student Aide program, if you have one.
Award Eligibility
- NATA member in good standing.
- Current NPI number (with appropriate taxonomy code).
- Registered/licensed by state (if required).
- Current BOC certification.
- Must have been certified and at the Secondary School level for at least 5 years.
- Candidates must follow best practices, including the NATA Secondary School Statement on Proper Use of High School Athletic Training Student Aides.
Applications
Applications for the 2027 award cycle will open in November 2026.
Award Winners
All district winners will be notified each year to allow adequate time for travel arrangements to be made.
Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award District Winners (11) will receive:
- Award certificate to be presented at the finalist’s district meeting.
- District Winner Award piece and recognition at the annual NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.
Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award National Winner (1) will receive.
- National Winner Award piece and recognition at the annual NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.
- Winner banner to hang at school or worksite.