CARROLLTON, TX, June 24, 2024 – A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, will be inaugurated as the 16th president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) during the NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in New Orleans on Friday, June 28, when he begins a three-year term.
He will assume the responsibilities from Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC who will have completed her presidential role.
“I am honored and excited to assume my responsibilities and to now lead our organization,” says Duffy. “My lifelong passion for the profession started in high school and I have benefited from building relationships with athletic trainers, coaches, administrators and other allied health and sports associations to truly celebrate and champion our very collaborative approach to healthcare and sports safety. President Dieringer has led us through the pandemic with remarkable progress. I can’t wait to get started.”
“It’s been an extraordinary three years,” says Dieringer. “The profession has come a long way and we face new challenges ahead. We are in outstanding hands with President Duffy and I know with his vision and commitment we will continue to move forward together.”
He has served as dean of athletic trainers in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and on September 30 will retire from his 33 years as Widener University's head athletic trainer and physical therapist and his 41st in intercollegiate athletics. Along with his assistants and in collaboration with student health services and the counseling center, they have provided medical care for the 600 Pride student athletes.
Duffy has been active in the profession, serving in various elected and appointed positions at all levels. For the Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society, he was its state liaison officer and co-chair of the MATS Hall of Fame Committee. For the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society, he served as secretary, past president, PATS Hall of Fame Committee chair and PATS Education Committee member. For the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association, he chaired the EATA Exhibit & Sponsorship Committees and is a past president. He has been a member of the NATA Convention Planning, Ethics and International committees. Duffy served as the District Two treasurer and is a past director. He recently served on the NATA Research & Education Foundation Board of Directors. In addition, he served as the chair for the MAC’s athletic training committee.
Duffy, along with his assistants, created the "MAC ATtaCk on Hunger" in 2010. The initiative was instituted to combat food insecurities involving all member schools of MAC, by collecting food and money for each school’s local food banks.
Prior to Widener, Duffy served as an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist at the University of Michigan and an assistant athletic trainer at Temple University. He served as an adjunct lecturer for 25 years in Temple’s CAATE-approved athletic training program. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, his master’s degree from the University of Arizona and his physical therapy certificate from Drexel University.
Duffy is a member of NATA, EATA, PATS and the Norwood (Pennsylvania) 4th of July Association.
“AJ Duffy joins a select group of ATs as the 16th President of NATA,” says Executive Director Dave Saddler. “President Duffy is an accomplished and experienced leader. He is well prepared to lead a dedicated and cohesive board of directors. Our staff is looking forward to working with President Duffy and the board during this time of significant challenges and opportunities for the association and the profession.”
About NATA: National Athletic Trainers’ Association – Health Care for Life & Sport
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 40,000 members of the athletic training profession. Visit nata.org for more information.
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Contacts:
Robin Waxenberg
Robin Waxenberg & Associates
917-301-1350
robin@robwax.com
Jessica Scharffenberger
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
512-923-2396
jessicab@nata.org