Weber Earns National Honor

Lincoln ? University of Nebraska Head Athletic Trainer Jerry Weber has been selected as one of the National Athletic Trainers' Association's 2004 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award recipients.

The award recognizes outstanding service and dedication to the athletic training profession. Candidates for the award must have held the Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) credential, conferred by the NATA Board of Certification, for at least 20 years; have been recognized for service to the profession of athletic training at the local, state, national and/or international level; attained recognition for distinguished service as a certified athletic trainer; and recognition for unique contributions to the profession of athletic training not recognized elsewhere. Weber is one of 18 recipients of this award in 2004. The Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer presentation will be made June 18 at the NATA's 55th Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposia in Baltimore, Md.

"It’s an honor to be selected by your peers, to know that the years of service and dedication are recognized," Weber said. "While I am the one receiving the award, it truly is an honor and a tribute to our entire athletic medicine staff. Not only for the work they do with our student-athletes every day, but also for filling in and allowing me to serve on national committees to help benefit athletic health care."

Weber is concluding his 27th year on the Nebraska athletic medicine staff and seventh year as head athletic trainer and Associate Director of Athletic Medicine. In his duties as head athletic trainer and physical therapist, he oversees the operation of all athletic medicine facilities and supervises the Husker staff of athletic trainers, graduate and undergraduate student assistants. Along with his duties as head trainer, Weber directs all orthopedic rehabilitation and coordinates the return to sport programs with orthopedic specialists and training staff.

Along with his duties on campus, Weber is also heavily involved in NCAA and national committees. He is a member of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport and is the NCAA liaison to the National Athletic Trainers Association's College/University Athletic Trainers Committee. Weber served 10 years on the Nebraska State Examining Board for Athletic Trainers and is a member of the editorial board of Athletic Therapy Today. He has been active in the NATA at the state, district and national levels since 1978, having served on the board of directors and as a presidential candidate.

"Receiving this award also shows the national reputation that Nebraska has enjoyed in the field for years," Weber said. "People like George Sullivan who received numerous awards and taught me the importance of doing your part for the profession. It was from him that I learned the importance of not only helping your own student-athletes, but to look for ways to benefit the entire athletic training profession."

Weber has enjoyed a distinguished career at Nebraska. In 2003, he was inducted into the District V Nebraska State Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Hall of Fame. Weber was also honored by the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2002 when he received the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award.

A Sidney, Neb., native, Weber earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from UNL in 1974. He earned his physical therapy degree from UNMC in 1976 and his master's degree from Western Illinois in 1977.

According to NATA officials, Weber earned one of the organization's highest honors because of his career accomplishments.

"Jerry is richly deserving of the award," said NATA Honors and Awards Committee Chair Tom Abendour, MA, ATC. "He has dedicated his career to the betterment of the athletic training profession through his state, district and national service and to providing quality health care to his patients."

"Dedication, innovation, loyalty and leadership are common traits among MDAT recipients," said National Athletic Trainers' Association Executive Director Eve Becker-Doyle. "Those who receive this honor serve as an inspiration to their peers and as role models to the next generation of certified athletic trainers."

The NATA was founded in 1950 and today serves more than 30,000 members, including 24,000 certified athletic trainers. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession, and its practitioners are the leading experts in health care for the physically active.

-- Huskers --