Weber to Join NATA Hall of Fame

Long-time University of Nebraska athletic trainer Jerry Weber will be inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Hall of Fame on Tuesday, June 21, in New Orleans. Weber will be honored during the organization's 62nd annual meeting and clinical symposium.

Weber, who will be among just over 250 members of the Hall of Fame, will become the fourth Nebraska athletic trainer to join the NATA Hall of Fame, including Paul Schneider, George Sullivan and Roland "Duke" LaRue.

"It is a tremendous honor to be inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame," Weber said. "To be the fourth member of this prestigious group from the University of Nebraska certainly speaks to the reputation of the University and the Athletic Department. I want to thank the administration and athletic medicine staffs at Nebraska for all of their support, and especially my family for allowing me to serve this great university for the past 34 years."

Weber was previously honored by the NATA in June of 2004 as one of 18 members to receive the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award. In the spring of 2003, Weber was inducted into the District V NATA Hall of Fame for his many years of service to that organization. In 1991, Weber received the Sullivan Award from the NATA recognizing excellence in athletic training. Weber has been active in the NATA for more than 30 years at the state, district and national levels since 1978, having served on the board of directors and as a presidential candidate. Weber has also been honored by the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame as a recipient of the 2002 Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award.

Weber, who began his association with the Nebraska athletic medicine staff in 1977, has been head athletic trainer and associate director of athletic medicine since 1996. A Sidney, Neb., native, Weber earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from Nebraska in 1974. He earned his physical therapy degree from UNMC in 1976 and his master's degree from Western Illinois in 1977.

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 athletic trainer, Weber directs the orthopedic rehabilitation and coordinates the return to sport programs with orthopedic specialists and training staff for many of the Husker teams. During the spring he travels with the men's gymnastics and baseball teams.

Weber was a member of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport and was the NCAA liaison to the National Athletic Trainers Association's College/University Athletic Trainers Committee for six years from 2001 to 2006. Weber served 10 years on the Nebraska State Examining Board for Athletic Trainers.

The Nebraska athletic training staff has two physical therapist/athletic trainers, eight athletic trainers, six graduate assistant certified athletic trainers and 28 student assistants in the athletic training curriculum - all required to care for more than 600 Husker student-athletes.