Our History

The first national meeting is held in Kansas City, Missouri.

The NATA - District 4, Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association, is established. Al Sawdy, Bowling Green State University, served as the first District Director. District 4 was created with the addition of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin along with the University of Iowa.

The NATA annual meeting is held on Miami University's Oxford, Ohio campus, June 17-20. Athletic Trainer, Jay Colville, hosted.

Robert “Bob” Weingart, Marquette University, is elected chairman of the NATA Board of Directors.

Tom Healion, Northwestern University, is elected chairman of the NATA Board of Directors.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductees: David M. Ballock, Carl Erickson, Jack Heppinstall and Larnard Mann

Tom Healion, Northwestern University, elected to second term as Chairman of the NATA Board of Directors.

The NATA Constitutional change allows each district to govern its own membership. The district oversees the appointment of the District Director along with a new position of District Secretary, first served in District 4 by Roland “Duke” LaRue of Western Illinois University.

District 4 hosts the NATA national meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductees: Walter “Doc” Blake and Lloyd “Snapper” Stein

Dorothy “Dot” Cohen, graduate of Indiana University, was the first woman to join the NATA.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductees: E. Jay Colville, James E. Hunt and Allan Sawdy

District Constitution written in Ohio by Dale Googins from Denison University and Gary Lake, Student Athletic Trainer from Denison University.

First GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Ohio at Denison University in March. Dale Googins presides over the first meeting and Gary Lake, a student at Denison, is appointed Secretary because Roland “Duke” LaRue, from Western Illinois University in Macomb, is not able to make the meeting due to an ice storm.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductees: Ernest Biggs and Carl “Bud” Jorgensen

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held at Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: James H. Morris

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held at Western Michigan University; Jack Jones, serves as the host Athletic Trainer.

Five women are granted NATA certification under a grandfather clause. Holly Wilson Greene, Indiana State University, is from District 4.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Dwayne “Spike” Dixon

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.

GLATA ‘s fifth meeting anniversary is held at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana.

The NATA realigns the districts, effective in 1973. District 4 will include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Marshall University in West Virginia and the Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and Ontario.

The NATA Board of Directors institutes a column in the Journal of Athletic Training designated for women. The first article written is by Holly Wilson Green (June, 1973) entitled “Not for Men Only.” The column is discontinued in 1976.

A District Constitution and Bylaws Committee is appointed and charged with revising the documents to co-inside with the NATA Constitution and Bylaw.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: William “Pinky” E. Newell

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.

Five women (Marje Albohm, Linda Weber Daniel, Linda Treadway Dillmon, Gail Weldon, and Maryann Zickler) from District 4 earn NATA Certification.

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Merrillville, Indiana.

The NATA Board of Directors appoints an ad hoc committee, Women in Athletic Training. Holly Green serves as chair and District 4 members Marje Albohm (Indiana University), Linda Treadway Dillmon (Central Michigan University) and Gail Weldon (Indiana State University/Western Michigan University) serve on the committee.

Holly Green authors the first athletic training textbook specifically for women entitled Workbook: Fundamentals of Athletic Training for Women.

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

GLATA establishes a Living Memorial Scholarship.

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Merrillville, Indiana.

Marje Albohm is elected as the first female Secretary-Treasurer.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Gayle B. Robinson

GLATA’s 10th Anniversary Annual Meeting is held in MaComb, Illinois, at Western Illinois University.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Robert C. White

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Merrillville, Indiana.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Z. Mel Blickenstaff

The GLATA Winter Meeting is held in Perrysburg, Ohio.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Robert E. Weingart

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

District 4 brought forth to the NATA Board of Directors a proposal to re-district the NATA.

The GLATA Winter Meeting is held in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

GLATA establishes the Annual Meeting Planner position.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Leo Murphy

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Akron, Ohio.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductees: Edgar Harold Biggs and Gene Paszkiet

The GLATA Annual Meeting is held in Schaumburg, Illinois.

GLATA approves an initial licensure grant concept in the amount of $1,000.00.

Illinois Registration Law is enacted by the State General Assembly.

GLATA’s 20th Anniversary Annual Meeting.

District 4 brings forth a motion to NATA Board of Directors that a full time NATA Executive Director be retained prior to the national office relocation.

The NATA establishes a High School Athletic Trainer Committee. District 4 member, Hal Hilmer from Arlington Heights, Illinois, is appointed chairperson.

GLATA revises the scholarship guidelines and establishes a scholarship selection committee under the leadership of Vice-President Wayne Vaupel.

The William ”Pinky” Newell lecture is established with the assistance of Jim Viola from Johnson & Johnson Company.

The Licensure Grant Committee is established.

GLATA establishes the Living Scholarship Fund and Research Assistance Projects.

GLATA establishes a written Policy and Procedure Manual for the Executive Council.

GLATA voted to increase dues by $10.00.

The American Medical Association (AMA) endorses Athletic Training as an Allied Health profession.

Pro Orthopedic Devices, Inc. becomes a sponsor of the GLATA Newsletter.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Robert S. Behnke

GLATA Executive Council begins long term strategic planning.

GLATA’s 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Steve Risinger serves as the host athletic trainer.

GLATA’s Continuing Education Needs Assessment project is developed.

Dennis A. “Denny” Miller, Purdue University, is elected President of the NATA.

Former GLATA Secretary / Treasurer Pat Troesch gathers historical documents and memorabilia.

Eve Becker-Doyle is hired to be the NATA Executive Director

GLATA submits a constitutional change to split the office of Secretary- Treasurer into two separate positions.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Gordon Stoddard

Lorin Cartwright (Michigan) is elected the first woman president of GLATA

GLATA establishes a Finance Committee to restructure GLATA finances.

Denny Miller, Purdue University, is elected to serve a second term as President of NATA.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Gordon L. Graham

Rene’ Revis Shingles (Central Michigan University) is appointed chairperson of the NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Council. Rene’ is the first woman and first African American to serve in this position. (Rene’ served as chair until 2000.)

The NATA Board of Directors appoints a task force on Women in Athletic Training with Katie Grove (Indiana University) serving as Chairperson. District 4 members Cynthia “Sam” Booth (Minnesota) will serve as the NATA Liasion and Gretchen Schlabach (Illinois) will be the District 4 Representative on the task force.

Cynthia “Sam” Booth serves as the first woman District 4 Director.

Kent P. Falb, Detroit Lions, is elected President of the NATA.

The NATA Board of Directors (BOD) votes to change the Women in Athletic Training Task Force name to the Women in Athletic Training Committee. Katie Grove continues to serve as Chairperson.

GLATA establishes a website. Patrick Sexton is appointed the first webmaster.

The GLATA 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting

Kent P. Falb, Detroit Lions, is elected to a second term as President of NATA.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: John W. Schrader

The NATA Hall of Fame Inductees: Marjorie J. Albohm, Kent P. Falb and Dale Googins.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Richard “Dick” Hoover

GLATA Executive Council approves an Honors and Awards Program.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductees: Kenneth W. Kopke and Dennis A. Miller

The first GLATA Honors and Awards Ceremony takes place at the meeting.

GLATA approves a History and Archives position.

GLATA’s first class of Student Senators attend the meeting.

Roger Kalisiak is appointed the first chairperson of History & Archives Committee.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Kathleen A. Schniedwind

David Bazzett-Jones, first Chair of Student Senate, is appointed to serve as a member of the GLATA Executive Council.

GLATA appoints an Education Task Force.

GLATA E-Blasts are started as a means of member communication.

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Gerald “Jerry” W. Bell

Shari Bartz Smith is appointed GLATA Education Committee Chairperson.

Printed newsletter is eliminated along with newsletter editor position. (Jill Ponzi – last appointed editor)

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Richard Ray

Michigan is final state to achieve state regulation (licensure).

NATA Hall of Fame Inductee: Cynthia “Sam” Booth

Michael Doyle, IN appointed to NATA Committee on Revenue.

Alex Wong, OH appointed to NATA Career Assistance Committee.

Bill Pitney, IL appointed to NATA Education Council, Learning Communities Subcommittee.

GLATA’s 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting

Roger Kalisiak and Marion Vruggink produce a celebration and history DVD to commemorate the occasion.

Marjorie Albohm, MS,ATC, is elected NATA President. She is the second female to hold the position.

GLATA Executive Council undertakes revision of Constitution and Bylaws.

GLATA Annual Meeting in Wheeling, Illinois. The theme is “ Rediscovering Rehabilitation.”

Over 900 registrants

Unprecedented warmth, highs 70's and 80's

Transfer of leadership from Tory Lindley to Paul Plummer

NATA President Marje Albom addresses membership.

University of Indianapolis winners of Quiz Bowl.

NATA Hall of Fame: Roger Kalisiak (IL), Kip Smith (IN)

Paul Plumer installed as 23rd President

GLATA Annual Meeting held in Wheeling, Illinois.

Over 925 Registrants

45th Anniversary of Annual Meeting, 10th anniversary of the Student Senate

Two members of 1968 meeting in Attendance, Mark Miller from MN, Dean Klienschmidt from MI

Pinky Newell Lecture was entitled, Empowering the Future, given by NATA HOF members Kent Falb, Cynthia "Sam" Booth and Bill Tessendorf, 25th in Lecture series

NATA Hall of Fame: Ralph Reiff (IN)

Over 1000 registrants

Twitter account developed to distribute info during meeting

Pinky Newell Lecture by Ralph Reiff, "Model the way"

NATA Hall of Fame: Mark Gibson (WI), Katie Grove (IN)

Craig Voll becomes 24th GLATA President

Pinky Newell Lecture -Mark Gibson

NATA Hall of Fame-David Carrier (MI), Malissa Martin(IN),Brian Robinson (IL),Tom Weidner (IN)

Over 1000 registrants

District Dues increased

GLATA's 50th Anniversay Annual Meeting

Meeting ended a day early because of COVID-19 pandemic

Meeting held virtually because of COVID-19 pandemic

Annual meeting returns to in-person

First business meeting with both District 4 and District 11 represented