Jan 29, 2015NATA Honors Top Athletic Trainers
The NATA has announced its 2010 Head Athletic Trainers of the Year, who will be honored at the NATA show in Philadelphia in June. Training & Conditioning would like to congratulate the honorees from NCAA Division I, III, III, the NAIA, and the junior college/community college ranks. And the winners are …
Division I
Charlie Rozanski, MEd, ATC, LAT, Director of Sports Medicine/Associate Athletics Director at North Carolina State University, joined the Wolfpack’s staff in 1992. Prior to his arrival in Raleigh, he spent four years as the Director of Athletic Training at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. He also worked for six years at the Virginia Military Institute and for one year in the Chicago Cubs’ organization.
He is a national officer of the National Athletic Trainers Association, serving on the Board of Directors. He was inducted into the Salem State College Hall of Fame in 1994 and has been named the North Carolina College and University Athletic Trainer of the Year by the North Carolina Athletic Trainers Association.
“This award comes as no surprise to anybody who knows or works with Charlie,” NC State Director of Athletics Lee Fowler said in a statement. “He is an invaluable asset to our department and university and always puts the well-being of our student-athletes first in his actions and decisions.”
Division II
Robert Cable, MS, ATC, NREMT, has been an athletic trainer for 30 years, including the last 20 as Head Athletic Trainer at Fairmont State University. In his position, he is responsible for over 300 student-athletes in 15 sports, and regularly works 90-hour weeks during the school year.
“On behalf of the entire athletic department and all of the student-athletes Bob has worked with over the years, we are so proud for Bob to be recognized at the highest level for his work here at Fairmont State,” FSU Athletic Director Rusty Elliott told the Times West Virginian. “Anyone who has been associated with our athletic department for the last two decades knows of his efforts and contributions and understands what a tremendous asset he is for Fairmont State University.”
Cable was very humble in receiving the honor.
“This is something you never really think about. I mean the idea of me winning this award never crossed my mind and now that I have received it I’m not sure right now if it has even sunk in for me yet,” Cable told the Times West Virginian. “I feel very fortunate to be an athletic trainer and to work at a university like Fairmont State. I’ve never tried to receive any national recognition for my work. I just try to do my job to the best of my abilities.”
Division III
Patrick Lamboni, MEd, ATC, is Head Athletic Trainer at Salisbury University. He arrived at Salisbury as a student in 1976, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1978 and a master’s degree in 1980. After two years as Head Athletic Trainer at Catholic University, he rejoined Salisbury as Head Athletic Trainer. Since then, Lamboni has expanded the athletic training room and helped guide the school’s transition to an accredited educational program.
“Pat is more than deserving of this prestigious honor,” Salisbury Athletic Director Dr. Michael Vienna said in a statement. “He has a commitment to the athletic training profession that is second to none and we are proud to have him as part of our Salisbury University family.”
Lamboni was the subject of a Q&A with Training & Conditioning in September 2005.
JC/Community College
Dennis Goebel, ATC, MA, has worked as Head Athletic Trainer at College of the Sequoias since 1986. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University-Fresno in 1979 before completing his master’s degree in 1985 from Azusa Pacific University. Prior to taking over at COS, Goebel worked for Santa Barbara City College, Oxnard College, and the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.
“We are extremely excited for Dennis as this is testimony that hard work pays off,” Athletic Director Lamel Harris said in a college Board of Trustees meeting. He shows his worth to the team every day and has done so here at COS for 25 years.”
NAIA
April Reed, MS, ATC, CSCS, is in her 11th year as Head Athletic Trainer at her alma mater, Azusa Pacific University, where she also serves as the student life liaison for the Workplace Safety Committee and as a medical liaison for the Incident Command Team. Previously, she worked one year as the Head Athletic Trainer at the California Institute of Technology and three years as an assistant and intern at Mt. San Antonio College.
Reed has worked on numerous national committees, and is currently a member of the NATA’s College and University Athletic Trainers Committee, the Board of Directors of the NAIA Athletic Trainers Association, and the College Sports Medicine Foundation Advisory Board. She serves as the NAIA representative for the NATA’s College and University Athletic Trainer’s Committee and is the regional representative for the NAIA Athletic Trainers Association.
Mike Phelps is an Assistant Editor at Training & Conditioning.
