The NATA Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of member recognition, celebrating athletic trainers who have fostered the profession and exemplified what it means to live a life of service. More than a ring and an iconic green jacket, the NATA Hall of Fame honors those who have dedicated countless hours sharpening their skills, mentoring the next generation of ATs and leaving a lasting impact on the athletic training profession.
The May/June NATA News features profiles on each of the 2025 NATA Hall of Fame inductees, providing insight into their careers, volunteer achievements and lives as leaders in the profession. The class of 2025 will be inducted during the 76th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Orlando. Don’t miss the NATA Hall of Fame Induction & National Awards Ceremony from 1 to 2 p.m. June 25.
In this post, the inductees share the most valuable advice they’ve received during their careers.
Editor’s note: Rick Shaw passed away Feb. 15. His responses were provided by his daughter, Jess Norman; colleagues, Marion Vruggink, AT Ret., Walter “Kip” Smith, MEd, LAT, ATC, and Scott Lawrance, DHSc, LAT, ATC; and mentor, Bob Behnke, AT Ret.
Brian Conway, LAT, ATC
Listen to understand, don’t listen to answer. While it’s great advice, it is very hard to follow.
Katie Walsh Flanagan, EdD, LAT, ATC
The answer is ‘no’ until you ask. Meaning, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by asking.
Rick Griffin, MS, LAT, ATC
The best advice I received during my baseball career was from Jimmy Warfield from Cleveland to treat everyone with respect, be a good listener as no one likes a know-it-all. Work hard every day no matter how many hours it takes to complete your tasks and wake up every day ready to enjoy your job because you are a head athletic trainer in major league baseball! He was 100% right.
Jennifer Dawn Rheeling, MS, LAT, ATC
Not that I have been great at heeding it, but to not take things personally. Every perceived slight, oversight, forgotten communication or failure to abide by policy isn’t my problem. I can’t control how others act, only how I do.
J. Timothy Sensor, LAT, AT Ret.
Early in my career, I received invaluable advice from my mentors: “be professional,” “act professional,” “be involved” and “stay involved.” Active participation in professional organizations – whether at the state, regional or national level – is crucial for our growth. These principles have been my guiding light.
Involvement at the grassroots level of state organizations was very important to me. I always felt the foundation of our profession starts at this level and I always supported the “stay involved” motto.
Participating in a strong national organization amplifies our voices and enhances our visibility in the health care field. The advice to stay engaged shaped my career and strengthened my professional path. I committed to being involved, and as I have said many times to my students, “get involved!”
Rick Shaw (Honored Posthumously)
Jess Norman: The advice I received as his daughter is probably much different than that of a colleague, however, the advice came often when I was younger. I used to tell him to “stop preaching, dad, I know what I need to do!” Looking back now, some of the best advice I ever got was from my dad. He taught a lot through demonstration and action because that is how I learned. He always took the time to figure out just how his “student” learned and then would teach that way.
Marion Vruggink: I received not so much advice through Rick’s words but more so through his actions. When issues or concerns were presented, Rick’s character as a strong leader always shone brightly. Instead of brushing aside problems or thinking one couldn’t resolve such a thing, the “what’s our plan” wheels in Rick’s mind always started turning and he would work to resolve, focus on the positive and try to make things better. His indirect advice was to create plan A, then move to plan B if that doesn’t work!
Kip Smith: I don’t recall any direct advice, but I learned much about his leadership style, organization, how he would present a plan, ask for discussion and come up with a solution.
Bob Behnke: Don't let the little things bother you. Try to solve the big things and the little things will fall away.
