Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_4514" align="alignright" width="400"] From left, Bruce Riley, dean of UW-L’s College of Science and Health; Mark Gibson, chair of the Exercise and Sports Science Department; and Janie Spencer, executive director of the UW-L Alumni Association.[/caption] A UW-La Crosse department chair was honored by a national professional organization. Mark Gibson, chair of the Exercise and Sport Science Department, was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame. Gibson was recognized with five others at the NATA 65th Clinical Symposia & Athletic Trainer Expo Friday, June 27, in Indianapolis. The NATA Hall of Fame is the highest honor an athletic trainer can receive. Honorees are recognized for significant, lasting contributions that enhance the quality of health care provided by athletic trainers and advance the profession. Since inducting its first class in 1962, the Hall of Fame now has 288 members. Check out the National Athletic Trainers’ Association video demonstrating Gibson’s contributions.

The Mark Gibson file:

Mark Gibson, also director of the university’s athletic training program, previously served as the head athletic trainer at UW-L. Before coming to campus in 1985, he held positions at Slippery Rock University, Southern Arkansas University and Southern Illinois University. Gibson has dedicated his career to the profession serving as an athletic trainer, educator, frequently published researcher, academic adviser, site visitor, consultant and expert witness. He has taught athletic training internationally and is coordinating efforts to develop the profession in the European Union. Gibson is currently chair of the NATA International Committee. He previously served on the NATA board of directors and was president of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association. He has been inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame and recognized by GLATA and NATA for his years of service. He was also the recipient of the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Gibson earned a bachelor of science degree from Slippery Rock University and master of science degrees from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and the University of Indianapolis. For more about the NATA visit www.nata.org.