NATA Now

August 22, 2025 by Beth Sitzler
Events
Membership

Pin Collectors Meet at NATA 2025

An NATA 75th anniversary special event, hosted by the NATA Historical Commission,  brought together pin collecting enthusiasts during the 76th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo June 24-27 in Orlando. 

More than 30 athletic trainers and athletic training students attended the NATA Pin Collectors' Meet and Greet, organized by Historical Commission member Jeff Stone, MEd, LAT, ATC, an NATA Hall of Fame Class of 2012 member, to exchange and trade pins and patches. 

July 2, 2015 by NATA Staff

AT Spotlight: Elicia Leal

Having survived an aneurysm and stroke in July 2014, McKinney North High School athletic trainer Elicia Leal, MEd, ATC, LAT, has progressed leaps and bounds during her recovery. Throughout her journey, which  included emergency surgery and extensive rehabilitation, Leal has remained positive, finding strength and support in her friends and loved ones.

Her road to recovery is detailed in the July NATA News, but we asked a few more questions to help you get better acquainted of this month’s cover star.
 
July 1, 2015 by NATA Staff

Update to Appropriate Care of the Spine Injured Athlete

By John Doherty, ATC, PT

There are roughly 33 incidents of non-fatal spinal cord injury (SCI) nationally each day. That translates to 12,000 cases per year. Most receive barely a mention in the local press. However, nearly all lead to some type of disability and many are entirely catastrophic, leaving victims with permanent paralysis.

June 22, 2015 by NATA Staff

My First Convention Q&A: Eddie Lane

With an athletic training career spanning from 1949-93, Edwin Lane, AT Ret, has had many memorable experiences in the relatively young field, including being one of the 243 founding charter members of the NATA – and one of five still living.

Graduating from high school at 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 112 pounds, Lane said there wasn’t a place for someone his size on the field, however, there was one with athletic training. He left Toledo, Ohio, to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, as a student athletic trainer.

June 22, 2015 by NATA Staff

My First Convention Q&A: Bobby Barton

This year’s Eve Becker Doyle Leadership Award recipient, Robert “Bobby” Barton, ATC, said he became an athletic trainer through osmosis. Growing up in Texas, an athletic trainer could be found in just about every high school, so it wasn’t a surprise when he “fell into” the profession his freshman year of college at the University of Kentucky.

“I obviously really liked it, and have been in it for 47 years,” he said.

June 12, 2015 by NATA Staff

NATA Participates in White House Roundtable

On April 29, 2015, NATA President Jim Thornton, MA, ATC, CES, and NATA Hall of Famer Ron Courson, ATC, PT, NREMT-I, CSCS, traveled to Washington, D.C. after being invited to participate in a White House Roundtable. The goal of the forum was to build national resilience by providing information and tools the general public can use to save lives.
 

June 11, 2015 by NATA Staff

Global Lessons in Athletic Training Education Sessions in St. Louis

Advanced Track Session: Tuesday, June 23, 10:30am -5:00pm
The Back Pained Athlete: Assessment, Rehabilitation and Progressions to Ultimate Performance
AC, Room 221
Stuart McGill, PhD, University of Waterloo, Canada
Ed Cambridge, PhD, University of Waterloo, Canada
Moderator: Troy Hershman, MS, ATC, LAT, Ball State University
 
Feature Presentation Session:  Wednesday, June 24, 10:45am-12:45pm
What I Have Learned From Studying and Working with the Great Athletes
AC, Room 225
June 5, 2015 by NATA Staff

Cramer Student Lounge Offers Free Food, Giveaways and More

The Cramer Student Lounge returns with more great offerings for 2015! The Cramer Student Reception is scheduled for 4 p.m. on June 24, providing students the opportunity to network, enjoy free food and get the highly sought after Cramer giveaway item a day early. Free Wi-Fi will also be available in the student lounge throughout the convention.
 
June 4, 2015 by NATA Staff

2015 Quiz Bowl Teams Set!

The 10 teams that will compete at the 2015 NATA Quiz Bowl in St. Louis have been determined. Scheduled for 5 p.m. on June 25 at the convention, the Quiz Bowl is now in its seventh year and features teams from each district in a Jeopardy-style competition. More than bragging rights will be on the line as the winning team receives $1,000 toward the school’s athletic training program or club. The second and third place teams will receive $500 and $250 respectively.