Awards Descriptions

Please take the time to nominate a deserving colleague! OATA Hall of Fame nominations are due on 11/1, all other awards 12/1.
To nominate a colleague, click here

 


Award Qualifications:

Athletic Trainer of the Year

  1. Athletic Trainer in good standing in the OATA
  2. Meets the athletic training standards of the Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Athletic Trainers’ Board of Ohio.
  3. The nominee must have worked a minimum of five (5) years in the state of Ohio.
  4. The nominee should have made contributions to the athletes and athletics at the state, district, and/or national level.
  5. The nominee should have made contributions/support to the profession of athletic training at the state, district, and/or national level.
  6. The nominee should be a well-respected member of his/her community (i.e.: volunteer, civic organizations, church, school).
  7. Members are eligible to receive this award only once.
  8. Current members of the Executive Committee are not eligible.
  9. Nominations should be based off of the individual's efforts in the Calendar year being nominated.

 

Hall of Fame

OATA Hall of Fame Award Purpose/Mission:  The Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame honors athletic trainers who have made significant contributions to the profession of athletic training through leadership, service, scholarship, and/or promotion of the profession, particularly in the State of Ohio.

Candidates will be evaluated based on the following award criteria: 

  • Longevity
    • Twenty (20) years as certified/licensed; fifteen in Ohio
  • Leadership
    • Demonstrated and impactful service to the OATA through elected or appointed offices or chair positions on committees, task forces, or work groups. 
    • Similar leadership roles within GLATA, NATA, or other athletic training related or partner organizations such as OTPTAT Board, OHSAA, NCAA, Ohio AAP, etc.
  • Service
    • Demonstrated and impactful service to the OATA through participation on committees, task forces, or work groups. 
    • Similar roles within GLATA, NATA, or other athletic training related or partner organizations such as OTPTAT Board, OHSAA, NCAA, Ohio AAP, etc.
  • Scholarship
    • Professional journal articles, textbooks/textbook chapters, and presentations, abstracts, and/or posters at professional conferences. 
    • Preparation of athletic training materials or invention/innovation of products/techniques unique to the athletic training profession.
  • Promotion of the Profession
    • Supervision of student aides and/or service as a preceptor for an ATP. 
    • Advocacy, legislative and/or public relations efforts for OATA, GLATA, NATA, or related organizations such as the OTPTAT Board, NCAA, OHSAA, etc. 
    • Volunteer service for a community or civic organization, promoting athletic training.

 

Honorary Membership

  1. A written nomination may come from any OATA member, submitted to the Immediate Past President, forwarded to the Honorary Membership Committee Sub chair, which shall describe in detail the nominee’s contribution to the profession of athletic training such as:
  1. Team physician
  2. Representative of a business or organization that has shown continued support for athletic trainers
  3. Representative of an educational institution that has shown continued support for athletic trainers

 

Linda Weber Daniel Outstanding Mentor Award

  1. Mentor – role model, counselor, tutor, coach, guide.
  2. Qualities of a mentor – love of profession, good listener, quality character, kind, and someone who looks for teaching opportunities.
  3. Role of a mentor – sets goals, teaches others to accept individual differences, works on both strengths and weaknesses, acclimates people quickly to new environments, guides individuals (helps them help themselves), instills confidence, reassures, and encourages.
  4. Qualifications:
  1. Athletic trainer in good standing in the OATA
  2. Meets the athletic training standards of the Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Athletic Trainers’ Board of Ohio.
  3. Athletic trainer for at least five (5) years.
  4. Has worked in a mentor/educational role for at least five (5) years.

 

Service Award

  1. Purpose – to recognize those members of the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association who have demonstrated a superior level of excellence in advancing and/or promoting the profession of athletic training in the state of Ohio. 
    1. This should be demonstrated through their activities, contributions, or services to the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association.
  2. Nominees must have been active members of the OATA for a minimum of five (5) years immediately preceding their nomination.

 

Lifesaving Efforts Award

  1. Person(s) eligible for the Life Saving Efforts Award(s) must have performed exceptional service in promotion of the mission and objectives of the OATA.
  2. The nominee should be a well-respected member of his/her community (i.e. volunteer, civic organizations, church, school).
  3. The nominee should have been involved in a life-saving or humanitarian effort.     

 

Team Physician Award

  1. Purpose - To recognize team physicians who:
  1. Are committed to the care of competitive athletes.
  2. Work effectively with athletic trainers in forming an efficient team to deliver care to athletes.
  3. Actively support the profession of athletic training.
  1. Qualifications:
    1. Team Physician does NOT have to be an OATA Member.
    2. Team Physicians must be actively involved with a team.

 

President's Award

  1. The OATA President’s Award is to be given at the discretion of the current OATA President to members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to the Association. 

 

 


OATA Student scholarships

All scholarship applications are due December 1st.  

THE TONY ORTIZ  SCHOLARSHIP FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association will award one $2,000.00 scholarship to a deserving student of an ethnic or socially diverse background accepted to or currently enrolled in an athletic training program  at an Ohio Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited institution .

The OATA defines diversity as the range of human differences, including but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin and political beliefs.

Click HERE to apply for the Tony Ortiz Scholarship for Diversity and Inclusion

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Identify with one or more aspects of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability, religious or ethical values, national origin, or political beliefs.
  2. Are currently enrolled in an athletic training program at a CAATE-accredited institution in Ohio.
  3. Are an OATA member.
Application Materials:

 Applicants must submit the following:

  1.  Application Form (available on the OATA website).
  2. Two letters of recommendation from a licensed health care professional, educator, or community member.
    a. Letters should reference the applicant’s character, work habits, attitude, professionalism, and contributions to their program or athletic training profession.
    b. Letters can be uploaded to the application or emailed directly to [email protected].
  3. A written (1 to 2 pages) or a video (2 to 3 minutes not to exceed 95MB) personal statement addressing:
    a. How your background and experience contribute to diversity in athletic training.
    b. Your professional goals and commitment to inclusion in athletic training.
    c. If you are submitting a video, please refer to the video guidelines below.
  4. Verification of current enrollment in an athletic training program at a CAATE-accredited institution in Ohio.
    a. Verification may be a letter from program director or unofficial transcript.

Video Personal Statement Guidelines

  1.  Introduction
    a. State your name and current AT program
    b. Provide an overview of how your background contributes to diversity in athletic training.
    c. Provide a summary of your professional goals and commitment to inclusion in athletic training.
  2. Video submission guidelines
    a. The video should be 2 to 3 minutes long (not to exceed 95MB) and uploaded as a shareable link (e.g., YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo)
    b. Ensure clear audio and good lighting.
    c. Speak naturally rather than reading from a script.
    d. The video does not need to be highly produced.
      1. Professional editing or high production will not contribute to the scoring of the application.

 

FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Click HERE to apply for the Family Scholarship

  1. Applicant must be the son or daughter of a current active member of the OATA whose length of membership is a minimum of five (5) years.
  2. Applicant must fulfill the following criteria:
    1. Currently enrolled in at least the second year of post-high school education
    2. Not yet having completed a BS or BA Degree
  3. Applicant must be nominated by a current OATA member in good standing.
  4. The applicant must be in good academic standing with a combined GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
  5. One time stipend of $2,000.

 

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC TRAINING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Click HERE to apply for the College/University Scholarship

  1. Applicant must be currently enrolled in an CAATE approved professional level athletic training program in the State of Ohio.  Students must be pursuing this degree with the intention of becoming an Ohio Licensed Athletic Trainer of the OTPTAT. This must be verified via the student's personal statement, and by the letters of recommendation.
    1. Applicants who may be formally accepted into a Master’s degree program after the Dec. 1 deadline:  Program Director confirmation of formal acceptance into a program will be required prior to announcement of awards.
  2. The applicant must be a current member of the OATA.
  3. The applicant must have a minimum of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale of "B+" or better.
  4. Applicant must be sponsored by an OATA member who is a licensed AT in Ohio. 
  5. More than one applicant from the same college/university may apply for this scholarship.
  6. Students will be evaluated on the above criteria, as well as their professional development and service to the community.
  7. One-time stipend of $2,000.

Application Process:

  1. Application may be obtained via the OATA website.
    1. Application should be completed online or emailed to [email protected]
  2. The following documents must be submitted:
    1. Completed application form, including essay by the student
    2. Two (2) letters of recommendation: These letters may come from the student’s coach, teacher/professor, physician, etc.
      1. Each letter will include references to the applicant’s character, work habits, attitude, professionalism, and contributions to school and community.
    3. Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable however they must be current through last completed semester. Official transcripts may be requested by the scholarship committee prior to final award approval.
    4. For applicants not yet formally accepted into a Master’s degree program: If after Dec. 1 deadline, upon acceptance, applicant will submit formal letter from the respective Program Director confirming acceptance into a Master’s degree program to complete application.
  3. Application Deadline: December 1st
  4. Applicant may receive award one time
    1. Applicants may reapply in subsequent years if they have not been recipient of previous award
  5. All applicants will be judged on their own strengths and merits