Honors & Awards
IATS Annual Awards
The IATS Honors and Awards committee recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession of athletic training in the state of Iowa annually with awards. All award winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony at the annual meeting yearly. Nominations for all awards will be due to the Chairperson of the Honors and Awards Committee, by March 15th. Information on award name, criteria, application process, and presentation are all found below. Nominations, for these awards only, can be mailed or submitted electronically. If submitted electronically a confirmation email will be sent to the nominator from the Honors and Awards committee.
IATS Hall of Honor
The IATS Hall of Honor recognizes the very best of the athletic training profession and is the highest honor which may be bestowed upon a member. To be eligible for the IATS Hall of Honor, the nominee must: (1) be a former or current member of IATS, a member of NATA in good standing, left the profession in good standing, or has retired, (2) must have at least 20 years of service as a certified athletic trainer, and (3) must have been licensed in good standing by the State of Iowa.
Application Process:
Submission of all materials to the Honors and Awards Committee listed in the IATS Hall of Honor Nomination Packet (download required nomination materials here).
Previous IATS Hall of Honor Inductees
2011 - Steve Knoche (Davenport Central High School)
2009 - Alan Beste (Iowa High School Athletic Association)
2008 - John Strief (University of Iowa)
2007 - Paul Flynn (Bettendorf High School), Betty Hoff (Luther College), John Roslien (Central College)
2006 - Shaun McCarthy (Coe College), Terry Noonan (University of Northern Iowa)
2005 - Warren Ariail (Iowa State Univ.), Ed Crowley (Univ. of Iowa), Arthur Dickinson (Univ. of Northern Iowa), Roger Egland (Buena Vista Univ.), Danny Foster (Univ. of Iowa), Charles Frank Randall (Iowa State Univ.), Reggie Speak (Bettenforf High School)
IATS Award of Merit
Awarded to an athletic trainer or other medical professional who has made significant contributions to the profession of athletic training and distinguishes him or herself in the profession of athletic training and has ties to the state of Iowa through their education or employment. Award given to no more than two individuals in a given year. Selection committee will weigh contributions of applicants annually and award the two most deserving individuals.
Application Process:
Letter of nomination from two (2) IATS members including the nominees name, place of employment, a summary of how the nominee has contributed to the athletic training profession, background information on the nominee (vocational information, phone numbers, and educational background), and an explanation as to why the nominee is deserving of the award. Award finalists will be interviewed by a member of the Honors and Awards Committee.
Previous Award Winners
2010 - Dr. Ralph Congdon, Orthopaedic & Rheumatology Associates, P. C., Bettendorf, Iowa
2009 - Dr. Thomas Jacobsen, Northwestern College
IATS Educator of the Year
The IATS Educator of the Year Award is given to a member of IATS that has shown outstanding abilities in educating at the high school, collegiate, or other allied health care work settings. Eligibility for the IATS Educator of the Year includes: (1) current member of IATS and the NATA, (2) current State of Iowa Athletic Training License, and (3) demonstration of excellence in education.
Application Process:
Submission of all materials to the Honors and Awards Committee listed in the IATS Educator of the Year Nomination Packet (download required nomination materials here).
Previous Award Winners
2011 - Chris Viesselman (Central College)
2010 - Brian Solberg (Luther College)
2009 - Victor Miller (Iowa State University)
2008 - Mike Hadden (Simpson College)
2005 - Mike Lawler (University of Iowa)
IATS Volunteer of the Year
Awarded to the athletic trainer who has contributed the most to the efforts of the Iowa Athletic Trainers Society during the year. Members of the IATS Executive Committee are not eligible for this award. The IATS Executive committee members with nominate persons for this award. Executive committee will determine award winner based on contributions to IATS.
Previous Award Winners
2011 - Chris Wiedmann, Iowa Health - Des Moines
2010 - Jill White, Jenni Edmundson Hospital, Council Bluffs
2009 - Shaun McCarthy, Coe College
IATS Secondary Schools Athletic Trainer of the Year
Awarded to the athletic trainer working in the secondary schools setting that distinguishes him or herself in the profession of athletic training through their work with secondary school athletes and contributions to IATS.
Application Process:
Letter of nomination from two (2) IATS members including the nominees name, place of employment, the award being nominated for, and an explanation as to why the nominee is deserving of the award.
2011 - Jaime Elrod
2010 - Troy Kleese, Des Moines, Iowa
IATS College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year
Awarded to the athletic trainer employed in the college/university setting that distinguishes him or herself in the profession of athletic training through their work with collegiate athletes and contributions to IATS.
Application/Nomination Process:
Letter of nomination from two (2) IATS members including the nominees name, place of employment, the award being nominated for, and an explanation as to why the nominee is deserving of the award.
2011 - Tim Koberna (Wartburg College)
2010 - Leslie Duinink (Central College)
IATS Clinical Athletic Trainer of the Year
Awarded to the athletic trainer employed in the clinical/industrial/corporate setting that distinguishes him or herself in the profession of athletic training through their clinical and/or corporate setting and contributions to IATS.
Application/Nomination Process:
Letter of nomination from two (2) IATS members including the nominees name, place of employment, the award being nominated for, and an explanation as to why the nominee is deserving of the award.
2011 - Kevin Neegard (Sioux City, Iowa)
2010 - Steve Mather (Des Moines Mercy Riverside Rehabilitation)
All Application/Nominations for these awards should be forwarded to:
Paul Flynn, MEd, ATC, LAT