The NATA Hall of Fame is the apex of member recognition, celebrating a select group of athletic trainers who have advanced the profession and exemplified what it means to live a life of service.
More than a jacket, plaque and accolades, the NATA Hall of Fame is an honor bestowed on those who have dedicated countless hours honing their skills, mentoring the next generation of ATs and leaving a lasting legacy in the athletic training profession.
The May NATA News features the class of 2024, highlighting their careers and volunteer achievements, while giving insight into their lives as leaders in the profession.
The class of 2024 will be inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame during the 75th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in New Orleans.
In this article, the inductees share the most valuable advice they’ve received during their careers.
Douglas J. Casa, PhD, ATC, FNAK
Successful leaders are those who can assemble winning teams. Surround yourself with great people, and great things will be extremely likely.
Ray Castle, PhD, LAT, NREMT
I worked under Mr. John Porche at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette from 1995-98. Sometime during my first year, I walked into his office, but by this one particular time, I had, as a young AT, already presented to him problems – and most likely what I thought were problems. As I started to voice the problem, he stopped me and said, “Stop right there. From now on, don’t ever walk back into my office again with a problem unless you can bring three real solutions for the problem.” It made me really think about any problem I encountered from that day forward, and I have used that advice continually for the past 27-plus years. In my various leadership positions, it guided me as a natural process to listen first, then ask questions that seek out possible solutions from stakeholders on critical issues/problems for the best path to take.
Darryl Patrick Conway, MA, AT, ATC
Have fun! Never stop learning and growing. Talk to and lay hands on your student athletes/patients every day. Develop personal relationships and learn how to communicate and have difficult conversations. All of these form the basis of my “pillars” that I believe in and have helped immensely contribute to any successes I have had.
Kimberly S. Peer, EdD, ATC, FNATA
Treat people with respect and always follow your moral compass. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Work hard for what you believe in and work together to achieve the greatest results.
Jiro Shikakura, MS, ATC
Lindsy McLean taught me that the important thing for an athletic trainer is always to be sincere with athletes, physicians and coaches, and continue to learn throughout their professional career.
Craig Alan Voll, Jr., PhD, ATC, PT
There have been three pieces of advice that I have received throughout my life that form the foundation of who I am as an AT, educator, servant leader, husband, father and human being. First, the biggest communication problem is we don’t listen to understand; we listen to reply. Second, the problem isn’t the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem. Lastly,
there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some people will test you, some will use you, some will bring out the best in you, but everyone will teach you something about yourself.
Cari L. Wood, LAT, ATC
While I have gotten sound advice from many of my mentors, I would have to say the most valuable comes from a quote often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." This embodies the way I work. If my student athletes know I care about them first and foremost, they will trust me to do the right and best thing for their injuries and illnesses. Secondary school-aged athletes sometimes just need someone to show empathy and listen more than they need a specific treatment. This is true in life as well. Just be kind, and you'll get better results.
