NATA Now

August 22, 2025 by Beth Sitzler

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. 

March 6, 2023 by NATA Staff

There’s a Lori Howard for That

Throughout the history of athletic training, the college/university, higher education, professional sports, secondary school and various emerging settings have become home to athletic trainers wanting to care for all active populations. The impact of these ATs has helped their patients remain active and healthy in work, life and sport.

February 28, 2023 by NATA Staff

There’s a Michael Goldenberg for That

Throughout the history of athletic training, the college/university, higher education, professional sports, secondary school and various emerging settings have become home to athletic trainers wanting to care for all active populations. The impact of these ATs has helped their patients remain active and healthy in work, life and sport.

February 27, 2023 by NATA Staff

Register Now for COPA Con 2023

COPA Con, a virtual conference on athletic training practice advancement, is back this year with live educational programming for a variety of settings March 31-April 1 and on-demand access, along with networking opportunities for peer-to-peer discussion, through May 1. Both live and on-demand attendees can earn more than 10 CEUs.

NATA Council on Practice Advancement Chair Karen Fennell, MS, LAT, ATC, said the COPA Con is a direct result of NATA members’ feedback requesting content targeted to them for their career advancement.

February 20, 2023 by NATA Staff

Impact Takes Community

In honor of Black History Month, NATA is highlighting some of our Black leaders at the state, district and national levels and shares insight into their volunteer journeys.

 

February 14, 2023 by NATA Staff

NATA 2023 Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for the 74th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, taking place June 21-24 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The largest gathering of ATs worldwide, NATA 2023 offers a variety of educational sessions for in-person attendees to earn up to 20 CEUs, as well as opportunities to grow their athletic training network and make connections that will benefit and advance their careers.

February 13, 2023 by NATA Staff

A Voice for Student Advocacy

In honor of Black History Month, NATA is highlighting some of our Black leaders at the state, district and national levels and shares insight into their volunteer journeys. 
 
Helping people has always been a passion for NATA LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee student liaison Larry Gipson II.

Gipson said his “freak accident” while playing football in high school, during which he fractured his femur head and dislocated his hip, fueled his love for athletic training – a profession practiced by ATs, whose passion to return him to his sport inspired him.

February 9, 2023 by NATA Staff

NATA News Celebrates Meet the Member

As a new feature added to NATA News in 2022, Meet the Member highlights NATA members who are positively advancing the athletic training profession. This month, NATA celebrates the feature’s one-year anniversary.

Beginning with the February 2022 issue, this ongoing NATA News series showcases ATs who represent various districts, settings and experience levels. Their outstanding efforts have moved the profession forward within their workplaces and communities as well as with their patients and athletes.

February 6, 2023 by NATA Staff

Inspiring Success Through Service

In honor of Black History Month, NATA is highlighting some of our Black leaders at the state, district and national levels and shares insight into their volunteer journeys. 

 

Mississippi Athletic Trainers' Association Career Advancement Committee Chair LaJoy Paige, MS, LAT, ATC, always knew she would choose a career related to health care.

Intrigued by how ATs treated their athletes and the profession’s direct impact on them, Paige said she decided to pursue athletic training.