The National Athletic Trainer’s Association recently announced the 2012 winners of the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainers award. Among the winners was WTAMU’s Lorna Strong, the Sports and Exercise Science department head and instructor.

“I’m both honored and humbled to be honored by the national organization for my efforts,” Strong said.

The award recognizes NATA members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer services, advocacy and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer. Recipients are also involved in service and leadership activities at the district and national levels.

“I enjoy the opportunities that I get to have here on campus and in my district and national involvement,” Strong said.The selection process for the NATA award begins with nominations. After the nominations close on Nov. 1 every year, the nominees must go through an application process. There is an application for both the nominee as well as for the people providing their endorsements. Finally, NATA evaluates the applications and announces the winners in March.

NATA is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and those who support the profession. Founded in 1950, it has grown to 30,000 members worldwide today. A majority of athletic trainers join to support the profession along with the variety of benefits that come with membership.

The award winners are announced in March because it is National Athletic Trainers Month. The other two award recipients were Michael Carroll, Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director at Stephenville High School and Pamela Rast, Professor and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology at Texas Wesleyan University.