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:
2017          Helen Bulford, Ohio State University
2016          Conor Burton, University of Indianapolis
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:
2017          Erin Arnas, Winona State University
2016          Megan Keen, Central Michigan University
2015          Alexandra Pfefferle, University of Southern Mississippi
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:
2017 Kiley Buchanan, Capital University
2016 : Andrea Patterson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2015 Lena Grunloh, Indiana State University
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:
2017 Mary Joos, Bethel University
2016 Jenna Neumann, Indiana University
2015 Jennifer Huston, Kent State University
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

 

The Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association corresponds to District 4 of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and makes up the geographic region which includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Recipients:
2017 Angela Wirsching, Indiana University
2016 Eric Post, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2015 Noah Thaman, Indiana University
2014 Shinichiro Sugiura, University of Toledo
2013 Ashley Thrasher, Ball State University
2012 Alyssa McPherson, Indiana University
2011 Michelle Lamb, Ball State University

Recipients:
2010 Janet Simon, Ohio University

Status: ENDOWED
Commitment: $170,000
Amount Received: $170,000
Total Needed to Endow: $0

Individual Donors:
Robert S. Gray
Catherine (Katie) Grove
Roger Kalisiak
Justin Miller
Sally Nogle
Paul Plummer
Ralph Reiff
Paul Schmidt
William Sullivan
Craig Voll8
Donor Organizations:
Indiana Athletic Trainers’ Association
Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society
Minnesota Athletic Trainers’ Association
NATA District Four
University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire

Denny Miller was named director of sports medicine for the Purdue athletic training program in July of 2000 after a 24-year stint as head athletic trainer. Before that, he served four years as an assistant athletic trainer. Miller also is director of the Physical Therapy Department of the Purdue Student Health Center.
In June of 1996, Miller completed four years as president of NATA. He also is a former president of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association. He currently is chair of a NATA task force to develop and recommend standards for health care for intercollegiate athletes. Miller was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in June of 2001.

Status: IN PROGRESS
Commitment: $50,000
Amount Received: $9.465.55
Outstanding Pledges: $33,788.00
Needed to Endow: $40,534.45
as of 1/5/18