At-Large Three
Whitley Williams Bankhead, MBA, MS, LAT, ATC
Whitley Williams Bankhead is the Director of Sports Medicine – Administration & Medical Operations at Samford University, where she provides leadership in the development and oversight of systems that support student-athlete health, sports medicine operations, and collaborative healthcare. Her career in NCAA Division I athletics includes experience as a head football athletic trainer and Director of Sports Medicine, with a professional focus on athlete advocacy, operational excellence, and advancing the role of athletic trainers within the broader healthcare and athletics landscape.
Whitley currently serves on the ALATA Executive Council as an At-Large representative and chairs the ALATA Collegiate & Professional Athletic Trainers Committee. She also serves on the SEATA Collegiate Athletic Trainers Committee and has been a member of the East-West Shrine Bowl sports medicine team since 2020, initially joining through the NFL’s athletic training pipeline program.
As a candidate for ALATA At-Large 3, Whitley’s platform centers on connection, advocacy, and professional growth. She believes ALATA should continue creating meaningful opportunities for athletic trainers across all settings and career stages to have their voices heard, develop as leaders, and remain connected to the profession.
Her priorities include strengthening communication between members and ALATA leadership, expanding professional development and mentorship opportunities, advocating for the value and expertise athletic trainers bring to healthcare organizations, and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable careers within the profession.
Whitley is committed to listening to members, representing their perspectives, and helping ALATA build a stronger, more connected future for athletic training throughout Alabama.
David Yeager EdD, ATC, CSCS
I am honored to be nominated for the At-Large 3 position on the ALATA Executive Council. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to experience athletic training from several perspectives—as a clinician, educator, consultant, researcher, and professional leader.
I spent 23 years in professional baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers organization, including 13 years at the Major League level and one year serving as a Special Assistant. Today, I continue that work as an independent high-performance consultant, helping organizations integrate sports medicine, performance, research, and data to improve decision-making and athlete care.
My professional foundation was built here in Alabama. I completed my undergraduate education at Auburn University and my graduate education at Jacksonville State University, where I now have the privilege of serving as adjunct faculty in the Master of Athletic Training program and helping prepare the next generation of athletic trainers.
Giving back to the profession has been a consistent priority throughout my career. Within ALATA, I have served on the Collegiate and Professional Committee. Nationally, I previously served on the Executive Board of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) and continue to serve as Chair of the PBATS Internship Committee, helping create educational and professional opportunities for students pursuing careers in professional baseball.
If elected, I would bring these experiences to the Executive Council while representing athletic trainers across practice settings and career stages. Alabama provided the foundation for my career, and I see service to ALATA as an opportunity to give back to the state and professional community that helped provide that foundation.
I would be honored to serve Alabama’s athletic trainers and contribute to the continued growth of ALATA
