NATA Foundation Endowments

About the Endowment:
The Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association Scholarship Endowment, established in 2009, provides three annual scholarships of $2,300 to qualified athletic training students from District 4, in Entry-level, Masters, and Doctoral programs.

Linda Daniel served as an athletic trainer at Ohio State University from 1975 through her untimely death in 2000. Upon graduation from Ohio State, she was awarded the Eddie Wojeicki Award for receiving the highest score in the nation on the NATA Certification Examination. Daniel worked in the capacity of an assistant athletic trainer, co-head athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation services for the Department of Athletics, all while completing her master’s degree in Physical Therapy at OSU. She had extensive international experience in women’s basketball and was involved in numerous national and local athletic training organizations.

Recipients:
2015          Jared Rush, Wright State University
2014          Christina Hirsch, The College of St. Scholastica
2013          Eric Post, Illinois State University
2012          Dustin Grooms, Ohio State University
2011           Lindsey Klykken, University of Michigan
2010          Amanda Sabin, Wilmington College
2009          Beth Fruechte, Minnesota State University
2008          Lucy Elliot, McKendree University

Mel Blickenstaff’s 30-year career was punctuated by awards, speeches and recognition.  Mr. Blickenstaff, the head athletic trainer at Indiana State University from 1962 to 1978, wrote more than 15 articles for professional publications, delivered more than 50 speeches and served on several research committees to advance athletic training. He also cared for the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team in Montreal. Mr. Blickenstaff served as District Four Director from 1960 to. He was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1978.

Recipients:
2014          Michael Borst, University of Wisconsin LaCrosse
2013          Emily Franz, University of Wisconsin La Crosse
2012          Brianna Papotto, Ohio State University
2011          Raeann Bennett, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
2010          Alyssa McPherson, Purdue University
2009         Bria Noel, Illinois State University
2008         Kathryn Webster, University of Toledo

William “Pinky” Newell was Purdue University’s chief athletic trainer from 1949-76; he also was an assistant professor at Purdue. Acknowledged as the Father of NATA, he was Executive Secretary for more than a decade, and many subsequent leaders credited him for their success. A former football player for the Boilermakers and 1947 graduate, Mr. Newell served as an athletic trainer at the 1976 and 1980 Olympics and coordinated all athletic training coverage for the 1984 Olympics. He was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1972.

Undergraduate Recipients:
2014 Eden Embree, University of Indianapolis
2013 Kelleen Scott, College of Mount St. Joseph
2012 Jeanette Limberg, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
2011 Alison Reddick, Grand Valley State University

Graduate Recipients:
2014 Megan Quinlevan, University of Toledo
2013 Michelle McLeod, University of Toledo
2012 Kelly Potteiger, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
2011 Hayley Ericksen, University of Toledo