Class of 2024: Helen Binkley

Dr. Helen Binkley received her BS (health and physical education) in 1985 and her MS (physical education -athletic training) in 1988 from the University of Delaware.  Becoming BOC certified in 1988, she accepted her first job as head athletic trainer at Lincoln University, PA, a Division III athletic program.  From there she attended Temple University and received her PhD (exercise physiology) in 1996.  After graduating, she became an athletic trainer and assistant professor at Elon University, NC, a Division II athletic program and assisted in the accreditation of the athletic training program 1996-2002. From 2002- 2004, Dr. Binkley became the Athletic Training Director for Mesa State University, a Division II athletic program, where she completed the initial accreditation process for the athletic training program. In 2004, she began her tenure at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) as the athletic training director.  Since being at MTSU, she has been through two successful accreditation cycles at the BS level and has recently completed the transition of the athletic training program to the MS level. In her role as professor and director she conducts research, publications, and presentations; mentors students; and instructs athletic training educational competencies and proficiencies.

Dr. Binkley has been involved with the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) in four different districts (2, 3, 7, and 9), and at the state, regional, and national levels.  One major accomplishment of Dr. Binkley is when she was the lead author for the original Exertional Health Illness Position Statement for the NATA in 2002, which was a significant contribution to the health and safety of athletes.  Since arriving in Tennessee, Dr. Binkley has been the co-chair of the secondary committee (2012-2014), a member (2012-2014) and then the chair of the professional education committee (2015-2022).  She was appointed by the governor to the Board of Athletic Trainers for the State of Tennessee (2015-2019) and then became the chair (2019-present). She has served as representative of TATS to the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA) for the research and education committee (2005- present) and an ambassador for the NATA Foundation (2013-2022). Dr. Binkley has received several athletic training awards and recognition including NATA AT Service award (2009), TATS Jerry Robertson Educator award (2015), NATA Most Distinguished AT award (2015), and SEATA Education/Administration AT award (2016).

Dr Binkley would like to thank her parents Robert and Hazel Binkley and other family members for supporting her in educational and professional goals and opportunities, along with friends, co-workers, and her church family. 

Class of 2021: Marisa Colston

Dr. Marisa Colston is Graduate Athletic Training faculty and Department Head of Health and Human Performance at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She served as an Athletic Training Program director for 15 years, leading the program through two successful accreditations. She has been a recipient of the UTC Student Government Most Outstanding Professor Award, an NATA Service Award, the SEATA and TATS Educator/ Administrator awards, and NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer. Her research focuses on low back injury prevention and injury predictive modeling, and the ethical and professional aspects of athletic training. Marisa is the chair of the TATS Ethics Committee and is the research liaison for the NATA Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training Committee.

Class of 2020: Mike Van Bruggen

Mike Van Bruggen has served as the Director of Sports Medicine for the Carson-Newman University Eagles since January of 2001.  In this role, Van Bruggen oversees all aspects of providing comprehensive health care for the more than 500 Eagle student-athletes.  Mike serves on the athletic department’s senior leadership team and is the primary healthcare provider for the University’s football and softball teams.  He also leads a University-wide initiative to acquire and deploy AEDs across the campus.  In addition to being a licensed and certified athletic Trainer, Van Bruggen is licensed by the state of Tennessee as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.

Van Bruggen is an active volunteer on local, regional and national levels.  He is a CPR instructor for both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.  Mike is also a volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps of East Tennessee.  Van Bruggen currently sits on the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation Board of Directors after serving as an Ambassador for the Foundation for several years.  He has served the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) as a member of the State Association Advisory Committee and as a volunteer at the organization’s national convention.  Mike has served the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) as a member of the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award Committee and as a member of the College & University Athletic Trainers’ Committee, which he currently chairs.  For the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society (TATS), Mike has served as a member and chair of several committees, including Honors & Awards, Corporate Relations, Governance (which he chaired), and Public Relations.  Since 2014, Mike has served TATS as a member of the Executive Board, first as the East Tennessee Regional Representative and currently as Vice President.  Mike has spoken numerous times at local, regional and national conferences.

In 2009, Van Bruggen was honored by TATS as the Eugene Smith/Mickey O’Brien College Athletic Trainer of the Year.  In 2012, he was recognized as the NATA College & University Athletic Trainers’ Committee NCAA Division II Head Athletic Trainer of the Year.  In 2016, he was awarded the R.T Floyd District Award from SEATA and the Athletic Training Service Award from NATA.

Prior to arriving in Jefferson City, Mike was the Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director at Howard Payne University in Texas. He has also held appointments at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona and in the New York Mets minor league system. Van Bruggen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree from the University of Arizona.  He earned his EMT certificate from Walters State Community College.

Mike is married to the former Sheri Whitney and they have one son, Alex and a daughter, Samantha along with 3 dogs.

Class of 2019: Brad Swope

Brad Swope serves as the Associate Head Athletic Trainer at Tennessee State University, working directly with the men’s basketball and track and field teams. Prior to joining the Tigers, Brad served in the athletic training business for more than three decades, most recently completing a two-and-a-half-year journey in the mission field with his wife Jana, joining Cru’s Athlete’s in Action.

Following Brad’s graduation from Miami University of Ohio in 1983, he began his athletic training career in a practice with his father. During the ten year period Brad saw patients from his father’s practice while providing athletic training coverage for nearby Springboro High School. The sports medicine and rehabilitation branch of the practice grew as another area high school was built and Brad began hosting seminars for local coaches, taught CPR, and created a sports medicine course for the students of Springboro High School.

Brad also split his time as he became a member of the Clearcreek Fire District, serving as a Firefighter/Paramedic and as the Captain of the Division of EMS.

Baptist Sports Medicine brought Brad to Nashville in January of 1993, where he continued to work for eight years. In that time, BSM’s Sports Medicine Department grew exponentially, as the department added a number of schools to its service list. Brad worked his way up to the coordinator position, in which he implemented pre-season examinations, event medicine and collaborations between BSM, Metro Police Departments, and the Tennessee Golf Association.

In 2001 Brad moved to Sumner County creating a Sports Medicine Outreach Program for Sumner County Regional Medical Center. The program grew quickly with the addition of schools, athletic trainers, and physicians. This stint was interrupted while he taught at Mount Juliet High School, returning two years later to Station Camp High School.

Through Brad’s 26 years in Tennessee, he has served his profession at the state, district, and national levels. He has chaired the TATS Corporate Relations Committee, been a member of COPA for SEATA and the NATA, and has participated in numerous speaking engagements throughout Tennessee. Brad’s next goal is to introduce NATA’s AT’s Care in Tennessee.

Class of 2018: Scott Byrd

Since 2001, Scott Byrd has consistently been active in the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society

(TATS). Working under two former presidents, Byrd has worked his way up from the secondary

schools chair and governmental affairs chair to the Vice President. Most recently, he finished up his second term as president of TATS himself.

 In addition to his TATS duties, Byrd has served on various state and local boards and civic service committees. One that he deeply values is being called to be a deacon at First Baptist Church of Dandridge. Byrd feels that God should come first and that He has blessed him with the opportunity to utilize the talents bestowed upon him by allowing him to serve others as a certified athletic trainer.

 Furthermore, Byrd has worked in a variety of practice settings giving him a more diverse view of our profession. His expertise ranges from spending time as an intern in professional baseball, working in a clinic based outreach program, working in a hospital based secondary school setting, working as a Tennessee Career and Technical Education teacher, and becoming a head athletic trainer at the college level.

 In addition, Scott has also served as the medical coordinator of the Toyota/TACA East/West All-Star Football events since 2007; medical coordinator for National Guard Border Bowl since 2008; medical committee for the AAU Junior Olympics 2002; baseball ATC for AAU Jr Olympics in 1997; and is a TSSAA A.F. Bridges Award winner 2006-2007. He has been a member of the TSSAA Wrestling Weight Management Executive Committee since its inception in 2003. He is currently serving on the TSSAA sports medicine advisory committee.

 Scott has been honored as: Joe Worden Clinic/Professional Athletic Trainer of the Year 2001, SEATA Clinic Corporate Award 2005, and SEATA High School Athletic Trainer of the year award 2007, Gatorade Secondary School Service Award 2009, and the TATS Corporate Award winner in 2005 and 2009. Under Scott’s direction, Sevier County schools became the first Tennessee school system to have all county secondary schools be awarded “Safe Sports Schools 1st Team Recognition.” Cocke County schools become the 2nd system to be recognized.

 Scott is married to Carla Hasty Byrd and has three sons, Colton 13, Jackson 10, and Hayden 8.

Class of 2015: Kevin Wolf

Kevin completed a BS and MS from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in 1988 and 1998, respectively.  As a Licensed Athletic Trainer since 1993, he has had the privilege of working with numerous quality individuals, which include physicians, physical therapists, administrators, coaches, and athletes.  However, he is most grateful for the many athletic trainers who have influenced him over the years.

The former athletic trainer at Lebanon High School, he has also worked with several other high schools, orthopedic and physical therapy clinics, and volunteering with Olympic tennis at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.  While in Lebanon, Wolf served as outreach coordinator for University Medical Center in Lebanon for 7 years and saw the sports medicine program grow to a staff of 13, serving 16 schools in 7 counties. While there, he also worked with the Nashville Metros professional soccer club and NASCAR and IRL racing at Nashville Superspeedway.  Under his direction, the outreach program earned the TSSAA’s F.A. Bridges Contributor of the Year Award.  He was chief organizer of the program's sports physicals day, offering over 10,000 physicals during his tenure.  

Working in the orthopaedic clinic, he took an interest in billing for athletic training services and was active in efforts to improve upon the current reimbursement climate for athletic trainers and presented on the topic during a TATS Annual Meeting.  Later, for ten years, he served as a successful bracing and supports representative with KBI Medical, LLC, DonJoy Distributor and long-time TATS partner.  Finally, he returned to the traditional setting at Eagleville High School.

During his TATS committee service, he chaired and restructured the High School Committee to form the Secondary School Committee, aligning efforts with district and national objectives.  His committee instituted a directory of secondary school AT’s, the wrestling weight loss management program, and improved communication with the TSSAA.  As the Public Relations Chair, he worked to promote participation in National Athletic Training Month, increased exposure with NATA News and consulted with a Nashville based public relations firm.

 Serving two terms as Secretary, he worked to improve the newsletter through greater usage of technology using e-blasts to increase the frequency of news alerts and streamlining the Annual Meeting registration, eventually making the transition to online registration.  He served a term as Vice-President under President Chris Snoddy, and later accepted the position of Parliamentarian.

 He credits the support of his wife, Bunny, and his two sons, Donnelly and Nick, as well as  the influence of the many mentors and friends he has come in contact with during his career.  When asked about the most rewarding aspects of his athletic training experience and involvement with TATS, he says, “I would have to say my greatest reward is in the interaction with younger people, whether they be athletes or aspiring AT’s.  To this day, it is passing on what my teachers have given me.”

Class of 2014: Mike Gerlach

Michael Gerlach has over 20 years of allied healthcare experience as a certified athletic trainer.  Entering the profession in 1992 via the Internship route of 1500 volunteer hours and passing the NATA written and practical exam while working full time as a Physical Therapy Tech.  The first and only one in his family to go to college, he received a bachelor of science degree in sports and fitness administration from Freed Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee and a Master’s in Physical Education from Middle Tennessee State University. He currently is employed by Metro Nashville Public Schools at Cane Ridge High School as a health Science Academy Instructor. An active TATS member since 1992, he volunteered in some capacity at the annual meetings, served as a public relations committee member, scholarship committee member, and recently as the Public Relations Committee Chair. 

 Over the years, his career path has taken him several seen and unforeseen avenues that allowed him to experience nearly every work setting the professional has to offer…University Head Athletic Trainer, High School Outreach, Club, Clinic, Corporate, Event, and Physican Extender.

 His professional; achievements include receiving the 1996 Joe Worden Clinical Athletic Trainer of the year Award, 2006 NATA commercial Video Production of the Year Award, and a Contribution in the Leadership Challenge publication… titled “Encouraging the Heart”.

Career highlights include: Being the only head athletic trainer to work at Belmont and Lipscomb Universities …. experiencing countless Belmont-Lipscomb Battle of the Boulevard basketball games, … having a student athlete struck by lighting and surviving … witnessing several athletic training students to go on to successful contributions to the profession.

 However, he is quick to point out his greatest accomplishment is his beautiful wife Melissa of 23 years, son Dalton, freshmen at UTC and his daughter, Madeline a junior at bentwood high school.

Class of 2013: Janet Wilbert

Janet Wilbert retired her athletic training certification after 20 years of service. She began her athletic training career in California where she was a high school life science teacher and the athletic trainer for the school.  It was on the sidelines of the football games where she met her husband, Jeff.  They moved to Tennessee in 1994 and Janet quickly began working at Methodist Hospital sports medicine in McKenzie, TN.  She remained there for several years before transitioning to Vanderbilt Sports Medicine in Martin, TN.  She covered high school sports in Obion, Carroll, and Weakley counties while in these positions.  During this time she was a mentor to many students who were pursing athletic training careers.  In 2000, Janet took a position as the program director for the Athletic Training Education Program at UT Martin.  During this time she took many student groups to the SEATA student symposium in Atlanta, GA and watched as the new “faces” of athletic training graduated and became employed.

Upon moving to Tennessee, Janet immediately became involved with the TATS organization.  She attended the symposiums, business meetings and got involved in various committees such as the secondary schools and professional development.  She has always been a strong advocate for TATS and encouraged all her students and fellow athletic trainers to get involved in the professional society.  She was honored to serve on the Tennessee Board of Athletic Trainers for a 3 year term where she was a part of moving the profession of athletic training forward towards greater recognition in the State of Tennessee.  Last year she was honored with the Jerry Robertson Outstanding Educator Award.

Janet and Jeff have two children, Jonathan, 25 years old and Jacob 22 years old.  Janet retired her athletic training certification and license on January 1, 2012 and is proud to step back and watch as the next generation of athletic trainers take the helm of this great profession.

Class of 2011: Joe Erdeljac

 In 1988, Joe Erdeljac stepped foot on the campus of Austin Peay State University to serve as Chuck Kummel’s Graduate Assistant.  It was probably at that time when Chuck laid the ground work for Joe to become so heavily involved with Athletic Training, both locally with TATS and nationally with the NATA. 

            Following his graduate assistantship at Austin Peay, Joe spent three years working at La Salle University in Philadelphia.  It was at this juncture when he realized how much he loved Tennessee and decided to come back. 

            In 1992, Joe came back to Tennessee at started working as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Tennessee Tech University.   While at Tech, Joe worked with David Green, and we all know who David Green is.  Past President TATS, Past President SEATA, NATA President, Exhibits Chair.  Joe was destined to be here today.  It’s not often you get to work under 2 of the greatest Athletic Trainers in the South and Joe, rightfully so, soaked everything in.

            While at Tech, Joe worked with team physician Dr. Richard Williams.  In 1999, Dr. Williams started the community outreach program in Cookeville and Putnam County through Cookeville Regional Medical Center and Joe was hand picked to be one of the Athletic Trainers for one of the local high schools, Upperman High. 

            During his time at Upperman and Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Joe decided to volunteer his time and contribute to Athletic Training locally on the state level and nationally with the NATA.    

            In the year 2000, the NATA Meting was held in Nashville, TN.  David Green and Chuck Kimmel were co chairs of the host committee and Joe was chosen to be their right hand man.  Joe was given the responsibility to coordinate the sessions with the national committee and all those who had responsibilities in this area.  Ten years later, Joe is still doing this.  Joe did such an excellent job with the NATA Meeting in Nashville, the NATA National Office has retained his services and every year calls on Joe to volunteer and assist in making the meeting a success.  Joe gladly volunteers and as a result of his dedication, the NATA presented Joe with the NATA Service Award in 2006. 

            Locally, after serving as a committee chair from 2000 – 2002, Joe was elected as Vice President of TATS.  Joe served TATS as vice President for 2 terms from 2002-2004 and also from 2004-2006.  In 2006, Joe was elected the president of TATS and also held the presidency for 2 terms, 2006-2008 and also 2008-2010. 

            In 2007, during his term as president of TATS, Joe worked endlessly and was successful in establishing a separate board of oversight for Athletic Trainers for the state of Tennessee.  Joe was one of the driving forces behind the successful venture to give ATC’s appropriate supervision of their own ranks, removing it from the auspices of the medical board.  By creating the State of Tennessee Board of Athletic Trainers, Governor Brede son appointed Joe to be one of the 5 members on the board. 

Team Physician Dr. Richard Williams writes, “Joe is concerned that he does the best job possible. He is one of the most dedicated Athletic Trainers that I know and one that will do anything and everything to get the job done. Joe cannot be swayed from doing what is right for the athlete – even if sometimes he is considered the bad guy.” 

 2 years ago, in 2008, David Green left Tennessee Tech to go back home to Eastern Kentucky.  Joe and I both interviewed for the Head Athletic Trainer position.  Joe was probably the front-runner and obviously got the job.  The Athletic Director called me and said, “Ray, we hired your good friend Joe Erdlejac.”  I said, “Yes Sir, he is my good friend and it’s hard to beat the president of TATS.”  Congratulations, Joe

 There are 2 words that describe Joe Erdeljac– dedicated and professional

 And with that being said, it is without question that I present the highest honor that an Athletic Trainer in Tennessee can earn – induction into the TATS Hall of Fame.  Ladies and Gentleman, Joe Erdeljac. 

Class of 2006: Nick Pappas*

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 Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society. (2002-2005)

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 Athletics and teaches in the athletic training curriculum. He was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 2012.

Class of 2005: Chris Snoddy*

Chris earned a Bachelor of Science from Lipscomb University in 1981 and a Master of Arts from Appalachian State University in 1987. Chris served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Lipscomb University from 1981-1991 and a sports medicine consultant to David Lipscomb High School from 1982-1991. After a brief stint as the Director of Sports Medicine for Pinnacle Rehabilitation in Nashville in 1991-92, he joined Baptist Hospital's Center for Sports Medicine as a Senior Athletic Trainer. With Baptist he directed outreach programs and developed relationships with the Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans. Chris joined Star Physical Therapy where he managed sports medicine services for 15 schools and directly supported Goodpasture Christian School athletics for more than 20 years.

His relationship with Goodpasture Christian School was exceptionally important to him. Chris developed Emergency Action Plans for the school and championed the acquisition of AEDs for all buildings on campus. Goodpasture was the first high school in Tennessee to implement neurocognitive concussion testing. He led the concussion management team and managed athletes’ return to play post-concussion. “Snoddy”, as he was most affectionately called, provided everything from band-aids to saving three lives during his tenure.

Chris is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society where he served as President from 2010-2014. He has been recognized with the Mayor's Medallion for the City of Nashville (1986), the Clinical Athletic Trainer of the Year twice (1992 & 2003), the Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association (2005), was inducted in the Lipscomb University Hall of Fame (2004), the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame (2005), National Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2012), and National Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year (2019). During Chris' tenure, Chris was the Primary Athletic Trainer for 11 TSSAA State Championship Teams and 2 NAIA National Championship Teams.

Class of 2005: Therese Sparn

Therese started her athletic training career as a student athletic trainer at UT-Chattanooga 1979-1984, where she received a BS degree in Special Education. She was a graduate assistant at Austin Peay State University and completed a MA degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Administration and Supervision. Therese has been a teacher and head athletic trainer at Clarksville High School for 37 years where they have had many successful athletic teams; 2000, state wrestling champions, 9 times state basketball tourney, one time state finals, one time state soccer championship and one state runner up . Girls wrestling has also added a state championship and multiple runner- ups

Honors and awards include: Who’s Who of Outstanding Young Women (1985), Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society High School Athletic Trainer of the Year (1991 and 1993), Southeaster Athletic Trainers’ Association High School Athletic Trainer of the Year (1998), Who’s Who of American Teachers (2000, 2005, and 2006), National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Athletic Trainers Service Award (2002), Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society’s Hall of Fame (2005), and the Who’s Who of Empowering Executive, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs (2006 and 2007). NATA Service Award in 2002. NATA Servants Heart Award in 2017. Clarksville High School Teacher of the Year in 2023

Therese has worked at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs (1990 and 2002), and was an athletic trainer for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She has also worked AAU basketball national tournament, the Senior Games in Clarksville, the Clarksville Gunner (pro soccer team) in 1999, and the Clarksville Coyotes (pro baseball) in 1997 and 1998.

Therese was the secretary/treasurer of the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society from 1989 until 2003 and from 2003 until present, is treasurer.

Class of 2003: Buddy Taylor*

An athletic trainer since 1948, Buddy Taylor got his start with the Richmond Rams semipro football team.  He served as head athletic trainer and assistant professor at Winston Salem State University beginning in 1974.  Taylor made a name as an excellent lecturer, author and teacher of athletic training skills and served as athletic for various international athletic teams,  Taylor was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame i981. He died in 2003 at the age of 74. 

Class of 2003: David Green

David was a student athletic trainer at Middle Tennessee State while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1975. He then worked as a Graduate Assistant athletic trainer at Eastern Kentucky University and received a M.A. degree in Health Education in 1977. David became the first ATC on the high school level in Kentucky as he was head athletic trainer and teacher at Paul G. Blazer high school in Ashland, 1977 to 1980.   From 1980 to 1985 he was assistant athletic trainer at Eastern Kentucky University.  At this time the head athletic trainer was Bobby Barton, who was NATA President.  In 1985, David would be the head athletic trainer at Tennessee Technological University for 23 years before returning to Eastern Kentucky University in 2008 as  the director of Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer. In 1987, he was responsible for creating and naming the Dr. William C. Francis Training Complex at Tennessee Tech in recognition of Dr. Francis’ 30 years as team physician.

 In addition to serving on several Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society committees, David served as the TATS Vice-President from 1994 to 1998 and President from 1998 to 2002, which lead to his service on the SEATA Executive Board during the same years.  He served on the NATA Board of Certification as a Member representing SEATA from 1981 to 1987, and was President of the Ohio Valley Conference Athletic Trainers’ Association in 1983, 1989 and 1991.  David has served as SEATA Exhibits Chair and on the SEATA Site Selection since 1993.  During the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, David was a volunteer, working in the main Athletic Training room at the Olympic Village.  He was co-host to 10,000 in attendance at the NATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium in Nashville in 2000.  Currently, he serves on the Special Awards Subcommittee on the NATA Honors and Awards Committee.

In, 1994, David was named the Eugene Smith/Mickey O’Brien College Athletic Trainer of the Year by TATS.  In 1996, he received the NATA Athletic Training Service Award and earned the NATA 25 Year Award in 1997.  In 2003, David was inducted into the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society’ Hall of Fame and was named NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer. In 2006, he received the TATS President’s Award of Merit and was inducted into the SEATA Hall of Fame in 2008.  In 2010 David was elected vice-president of SEATA.

David and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters, Danielle and Kaycee. 

Class of 2002: Bob Nevil

Bob matriculated at Marietta College (OH) and transferred to Ithaca College (NY) to receive a BS degree in Physical Therapy. He did graduate work and taught classes as a graduate assistant at the State University of New York at Buffalo.  He held various positions as an athletic trainer and physical therapist in New York, Michigan, Oklahoma, Georgia and Tennessee before coming to Chattanooga in 1980. In 1982, Bob became the Director of Sports Medicine at the Center for Sports Medicine and Othopaedics. During this tenure he was the team physical therapist for the Chattanooga Lookouts AA Baseball Club and adjunct athletic trainer for myriad southeast Tennessee and North Georgia high school sports programs. He served as a volunteer athletic trainer for the Tenth Pan American Games, US Olympic Committee (Colorado Springs), the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games and the 2004 Southern League Baseball All-star game. Bob also provided athletic training coverage for many recreational sports teams, AAU and Tennessee Sportsfest events. He served as an oral practical examiner for the NATABOC exams held in Tennessee.

Bob was a two term TATS President and long-standing TATS parliamentarian. As TATS Vice-president, Bob implemented the TATS Honors and Awards program and became Chair of the TATS Hall of Fame subcommittee upon its inauguration. These experiences inspired him to serve on the SEATA Hall of Fame committee and multiple NATA Honors and Awards committees. Bob received the TATS President Award of Merit and TSSAA A.F. Bridges Sportsmanship Award in addition to the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award.

Bob acknowledges the support, sacrifice, and love of his wife, Elaine, and two daughters, Roberta and Renee, in the achievement of this professional recognition.

Bob’s athletic training volunteer service was one of enduring, endearing collegial relationships which served to enhance the quality of his life both personally and professionally. Gratitude for this involvement was conveyed in his quote from a PowerPoint slide: “Among my many blessings in life are the experiences, cherished memories and fond relationships that evolved from having served on this awards committee.”

Class of 2002: Charles "Chuck" Kimmel

Born in Hopkinsville KY., Chuck Kimmel grew up in Frankfort KY., where he graduated from Franklin County High School in 1972.  He served as a student athletic trainer for the University of Kentucky football team for three seasons and for the Wildcats’ 1976 NIT basketball championship club his senior season. In 1976, he then moved to East Tennessee State University where he earned his master’s degree and later became a full-time assistant athletic trainer before being only the second athletic trainer hired by Austin Peay State University in 1981.  He quickly built one of the most respected athletic training programs in the region. For years, Cramer Products, the industry leader in sports medicine supplies, chose Austin Peay as host to the annual Student Athletic Training Workshops.  In 1990, Chuck was appointed APSU’s assistant athletic director.

At the same time, Chuck was becoming one of the leaders in his profession.  Chuck served as Exhibits Chairman for SEATA from 1981 to 1992. He also served vice President of TATS, 1985-1989, and then as President  from 1989-93.  In 1992, he was elected Secretary/Treasure by SEATA and served in that position to 1997, when he began a three year term as SEATA President.  In 2000, he began the first of two terms as the District IX Director.  He was elected NATA Secretary/Treasure in 2001, and chaired NATA’s Finance and Investment committees.  He was also Board liaison to the College/University Athletic Trainers’ College/University Student Athletic Trainers’ and Convention committees.  He served as Co-Chair of the Host Committee for the 2000 NATA Convention in Nashville.  Chuck began his first term as NATA President in 2004, and completed his second term in June 2008.

As TATS president Chuck started the TATS state meeting, January 18, 1992 in Nashville. He also instituted the state awards program, established various committees, adopted the TATS logo, and established a relationship with the Tennessee Medical Association in regard to pending legislation to amended the athletic training practice act

Before and during his term as SEATA and NATA president, Chuck made many presentations in District IX as well as many other states that included; Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, South and North Carolina, California, Nevada, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Maryland.  He was a delegate to the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy World Congress in Tokyo Japan in 2007.  Chuck was a presenter to the World Congress on Sports Injury Prevention, in Oslo Norway in 2005.  

In 1988, Chuck was recognized with the District Award from SEATA, TATS selected him as the Eugene Smith/Mickey O’Brien College Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1991.  The NATA presented Chuck with the Athletic Training Service Award in 1997, the 25 Year Award in 1999, and named him NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2002.  In January 2002, Chuck was inducted into the TATS Hall of Fame, and in 2005, received the President’s Award of Merit from TATS.  In 2005, and again in 2008, he received the SEATA Award of Merit and was inducted into the Austin Peay State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, and was inducted into the SEATA Hall of fame in March of 2008.

Chuck retired from Austin Peay in 2007, and accepted the position of Injury Clinic Director and instructor for Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.  He and his wife, Patty, have three grown children, Chad, Meredith and Adam.

Class of 2001: George Camp*

A Kent State University and University of Pittsburgh graduate, George H. Camp III was the first athletic trainer at Middle Tennessee State University, joining the school in 1969. The lone athletic trainer at the school for many years, he cared for countless athletes in his time and saw tremendous growth in the athletic department for years before gaining an assistant. Mr. Camp was a founding member of TATS, which began with an Ad Hoc committee at Vanderbilt University in 1977. He and his contemporaries helped to pave the way for the next generation of athletic trainers, who speak highly of him. George Camp passed away in 2022.

Class of 2001: Bill Barry*

Bill has been at the University of South, Sewanee, for over 40 years.  He was head athletic trainer 1969 to 1994.  Sense 1994 he has worked as the athletic business and facilities director.  Bill attended Carson-Newman College and was the first full time assistant athletic trainer at the University of Tennessee,  Knoxville, were he supervised student athletic trainers and work with the medical staff.  He has served on several committees including: SEATA History Committee, TATS Ethics Committee and TATS History Committee.  Bill received the NATA 25 Year Award in June of 1991, and was inducted into the Tennessee Athletic Trainer Society Hall of Fame in 2002.        

Class of 2000: Steve Moore

Steve Moore was the Head Athletics Trainer at Tennessee Tech from 1968 through 1985, building the TTU sports medicine program from the ground up and caring for Golden Eagle student-athletes for 17 years.  His commitment and professional contributions have earned him induction into the Tennessee Tech University Sports Hall of Fame.  A native of Manchester, N.H., Moore earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 1962 and added his master’s degree two years later from Indiana University.  During the summer of 1964, he was athletic trainer for the Miami Marlins minor league baseball team, and in August 1964 he took a post as assistant athletics trainer at IU.

Moore arrived at Tennessee Tech in 1968 to become the university’s first fill-time athletics trainer and established the sports medicine program.  He developed an athletic training room in the lower level of Tucker Stadium, enlarging a program that had previously consisted of just a couple of tables for taping and other treatments.  Throughout his career as Tech’s athletics trainer, Moore was a member of state, regional and national organizations and gained recognition from each.  He served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) from 1968 to 1980 and also earned a SEATA Service Award.  He received the NATA 25 Year Award in 1989 and was inducted into the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society (TATS) Hall of Fame in 2000.  In 2003, he was inducted into the Tennessee Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.  Moore has had numerous articles published in a variety of professional publications, including the Journal of Athletic Training.

In 1985, he left his position at Tech and worked for the next 13 years as an athletic trainer on the clinic level for Cookeville Sportsmedicine & Therapy Center, and Columbia Sports Medicine in Nashville where he was Outreach Athletic Trainer, serving 14 high schools in the Cookeville and upper Cumberland area.  In addition to his professional career, Moore had also lent his care and expertise on the community level.  He was a part-time EMT for the Putnam County EMS from 1979 through 1994 and worked as a volunteer fireman and Putnam County Rescue Squad.

He suffered a stroke in 1998, but refused to let that stop his contributions, organizing the Upper Cumberland Stroke Support Group.  Among their works, the group provides workshops and clinics on stroke education.  Within the community, he spearheaded the 9-11 “Light Up The Night” memorial in September, 2002, (a 9-11 reflect and remember memorial each September) and works with “Project Unlimited Support” to collect and send supplies to U.S. troops overseas.  Hundreds of former Golden Eagle student-athletes can attest to Moore’s dedication and commitment in tirelessly providing them with the best possible care, including the famed “24-Hour Club” whenever needed to rehab players overnight.

Steve and his wife, Diane, have three grown children – Christi, Cindy and Michael, an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps,  and six grandchildren.

Class of 1998: James Douglas "Doug" May

Doug began his career as a student athletic trainer working with Wes Knight at the University of Mississippi in 1967.  He has served as a certified athletic trainer at Florida State University, Tennessee Technological University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University of Women, the University  Tennessee at Chattanooga and, most recently, at the McCallie School of Chattanooga, TN.  

Doug has served as Vice-President of the NATA and as District IX Director.  He is a former District IX President and Secretary/Treasurer.  Doug is a charter member of the Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association and served as its first president.  He is a co-author of the book Signs and Symptoms of Athletic Injuries.  He served as member of the medical staff for the 1991 Pan American Games in Cuba, the l991 World Winter University Games in Japan, and the medical team for the 1996 track and field venue of the Atlanta Olympic Games.  In 1990 Doug received the SEATA Award of Merit.  He received the Sandy Sandlin High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award for the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society in 1990 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1998.  He was recognized as Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 1995 by the NATA and was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1999.  He was inducted into the SEATA Hall of Fame in 2007.

Doug and wife, Cissy, have two grown children, Stacey and Warner. Two grandchildren, Addie and Caroline.