Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association

Since 1950 when NATA and District 4, the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association, was established, we have been promoting and advancing the profession. We are proud of our history and look forward to an exciting future.

GLATA's Historical Timeline

1950-2013

1950

• The NATA is established. 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.

1953

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

1959

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

1962

• 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

1963

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

1965

• 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

1966

• 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

1967

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