The induction into the Hall of Fame is an honor conferred upon members who have distinguished themselves in the profession. Each of these people have been members who have worked in the State of Tennessee a minimum of fifteen years and have demonstrated throughout their life’s work the highest level of devotion, professionalism and personal sacrifice to those they have served and cared for.

There are always a small group of individuals in any organization who take on the responsibility of providing the resources and effort for meeting the goals and completion of projects. This is particularly true in TATS as it is in our profession. We have been blessed with good leaders and members who have provided their time and talents in many ways. Many have served their time and then stepped aside to let others continue to build on the foundation they have started. However, there are some special individuals who, no matter what achievements they have achieved and no matter how much they have contributed, still find ways to be involved in the athletic training profession.

The Presidents’ Award of Merit has been created to recognize those individuals who have continued to distinguish themselves beyond the call of duty and have served a minimum of ten years of service to the athletic training profession and involved in TATS on some level throughout their career. It stands for the unselfish dedication and sacrifice that epitomizes the certified athletic trainer and is one of our organization’s highest awards.

This Honors and Awards category is for the special individuals who are not athletic trainers but have made extraordinary contributions to sports medicine with influence on the profession. The Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society proudly recognizes this person for their service and dedication by honoring them with this award. This may include physicians, physician assistants, paramedics, nurse practitioners, legislators, administrators and others.

Joe Worden, former head athletic trainer at Vanderbilt University, has been described as the consummate athletic trainer. His regard for each athlete in his care provided a level of compassion and professionalism that was demonstrated both on and off the field. This award is given to that individual who best exemplifies the qualities that Joe Worden demonstrated in his illustrious and unselfish career. This honor is given to those individuals who work primarily in the clinic setting or at the professional level.

The College Athletic Trainer of the Year Award is named for former head athletic trainers Eugene Smith of then Memphis State University and Mickey O’Brien who served at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. These people were some of the most talented athletic trainers in sports and helped set the model that others have followed in providing care at the collegiate level. This award honors those whose work epitomizes that legacy.

Sandy Sandlin was a special person whose tireless work as an athletic trainer at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and at Baylor High School, flowed over into the surrounding communities. His dedication to the athletes at the secondary school levels, collegiate and professional levels set an example for others to follow. The Secondary Schools’ Athletic Trainer of the Year is given to those individuals whose effort exemplifies the perseverance and dedication for which this award is named. This award honors the athletic trainer(s) whose primary responsibilities are at the secondary school levels.

Behind many great leaders there are personnel who demonstrate a work ethic that often goes unrecognized. The professional dedication and personal sacrifice of these individuals allow those with supervisory responsibility to better meet their obligations. The Backbone Award is given to that person whose commitment and enthusiasm exemplifies unselfish loyalty to their respective programs, staff and athletes.  This is a great honor on an athletic trainer by the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society.

The Backbone award is in recognition of Chris Snoddy and Jack Redgren for their commitment and enthusiasm for TATS and the Athletic Training profession in general. Both Chris and Jack served the Nashville Athletic Training community and STAR Physical Therapy with professionalism, commitment and enthusiasm. Both were leaders in the profession as well as in the Nashville and Tennessee communities, and both were staples at and attended the TATS annual meeting.

The Corporate Award is presented to individuals or groups who have distinguished themselves by making significant contributions or provided outstanding support for the athletic training profession in the State of Tennessee.

The Jerry Robertson Educator Award is named for former head athletic trainer Jerry Robertson of East Tennessee State University for his work in creating, implementing, and establishing the first undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program in the state. This award is given to an individual who is an Athletic Trainer in the educational setting and who’s dedication and service to Athletic Trainers’ and/or Athletic Training Students exemplifies their desire to learn and/or teach regarding the profession of Athletic Training.

Previous Jerry Robertson Educator Award Winners

Following the guidelines of the NATA Lifesaver Recognition Program, TATS would like to recognize when an Athletic Trainer has been directly involved with a Lifesaving event. A lifesaving event is defined as a situation in which the victim(s) would have or most likely have died had the Athletic Trainer not intervened by providing skilled medical care and assistance. The Athletic Trainer will receive a Certificate of Recognition at the annual TATS Meeting.

Previous Lifesaver Certificate of Recognition Recipients