University of Louisville
commemorating his induction into the KATS Hall of Fame.
enrolled
at Morehead State University. After a year Jerry decided to return to his
hometown university and enrolled at the University of Louisville. That
would be the start of a professional relationship that would span the next 30+
years. Upon graduation and certification Jerry was hired to serve as
Assistant Athletic Trainer to Jim Bible. When Mr. Bible left to take a
similar position at Indiana University Jerry was hired as Head Athletic Trainer,
at the time one of the youngest people to serve in that capacity at a Division I
University. Jerry would develop long term professional relationships with
his mentor Dr. Rudy Ellis and with Hall of Fame basketball coach Denny Crum.
While at U of L Jerry also served as a mentor to many young men and women that
would pursue careers in Athletic Training. Many of these former students
are still active today at all levels of Athletic Training. During his
career Jerry has been honored by his peers with many awards including KATS
Athletic Trainer of the Year, SEATA College Athletic Trainer of the Year and the
NATA Service Award. In 1996 Jerry was named Assistant Athletic Director
for Sports Medicine at U of L, a position he held until his retirement in 2004.
Jerry's accomplishments in Athletic Training do not stop with his outstanding career at U of L. In 1978 Jerry was instrumental in getting an Athletic Training Practice act passed by the Kentucky Legislature. Upon passage of the practice act the Kentucky Advisory Council on Athletic Training was formed and Governor John Y. Brown Jr. appointed Jerry chairman of that group. Jerry still serves in that capacity having been reappointed by every successive Kentucky governor. In his role as chairman of the Advisory Council Jerry has put his stamp of approval on every Athletic Trainer certified by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure. Jerry was also one of the "founding fathers" of KATS and in 1983 he was elected the first president of the society. Jerry was once again elected KATS president in 1997. Jerry has remained very active in legislative activities involving Athletic Training in Kentucky.
