Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

A native of Albertville, AL, Jarod Grace is a 1999 graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. While obtaining his hours for the internship route to becoming a certified athletic trainer, he served as a student athletic trainer for the sports of swimming, volleyball, football, baseball, basketball and track and field. He has been a member of the NATA since 1995 and certified athletic trainer since 2000. During his time as a student at Auburn, Jarod was a summer athletic training intern for the Atlanta Falcons Football Club leading up to the 1997, 1998 and 1999 seasons.

After completing an athletic training internship with Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Grace began as a graduate assistant at the University of South Carolina under NATA Hall of Fame member Dr. Rod Walters. Jarod provided care for the football and equestrian teams and taught in the athletic training curriculum. He later became the interim men's basketball athletic trainer and in 2002 he earned a MS in Physical Education from USC.

In 2002, Jarod returned to Auburn as the women’s basketball athletic trainer, a position he served in for 2 seasons. In 2005 he became the athletic trainer for the men’s basketball team, a position he held for the next 8 seasons. During his time at Auburn, Jarod oversaw the coverage and medical care of each of the Olympic Sports.

In 2012, Jarod moved into a sales position with Medco Sports Medicine where he covered the southeastern portion of the US. He was the Patterson Medical Sales Incentive award winner in 2013 and 2014 for the highest earning territory within the company. In May of 2015, Jarod followed the legendary Skeeter Schuessler in becoming the Manager of Team Sports in the Southeast for Gatorade.

Jarod began his leadership service to ALATA in 2002 by filling an unfinished term on the Executive Council. Serving on the council for 12 years, he assisted in planning the annual ALATA Meeting and Symposium, oversaw the College and University Committee and the Corporate/Industrial Committee, and attended multiple Hit the Hill Legislative Days in Montgomery.

Jarod is the 2018 recipient of the ALATA Sponsors Award. Jarod continues to be a partner and presenter at local, state and national levels on a variety of medical and athletic business topics.

Jarod is married to Albertville native, Becca Cunningham Grace. They have 2 children, Mary Alderson and Carter. The family currently resides in Auburn, AL.

Jarod Grace

2022

A native of Georgia, Karen Straub Stanton is a 1998 graduate of the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and her NATA BOC certification. She went on to earn her Masters of Sports Health Care from what is now known as A.T. Still University (formerly Arizona School of Health Sciences) in 2000.

While in Arizona, she earned the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification and completed her training as an EMT-Basic. Following Arizona, she managed an outreach program for high schools and special event programing in the New Orleans area, including teaching a basic course in athletic training at 2 of local high schools. She came to Alabama in 2001 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the University of West Alabama, with clinical assignments football, baseball, and softball in conjunction to overseeing other varsity spots and teaching in the professional education athletic training program. She quickly earned the position as Associate Athletic Trainer/ Clinical Coordinator. While at UWA, she was named Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association (ALATA) Collegiate Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2004.

In fall of 2005, she began her position Auburn University as an Assistant Athletic Trainer with primary responsibility of the football team. Since that time, she has served the student athletes and the department in the positions of physician extender, volleyball, and, currently, the equestrian team. In 2011, she was distinguished with the ALATA Award of Merit and then again in 2014 for her service to the profession of athletic training and the athletes they advocate for. In May 2019, Karen earned her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University with her final dissertation entitled Financial Management of Medical Care Expenses of Student-Athletes in Institutions of Higher Education.

She is no stranger to professional service, beginning her service in Alabama to ALATA in 2001 by volunteering and eventually becoming elected to the ALATA Executive Board. Over the years, she has served in the positions of non-officer, Treasurer and Vice President, with short interim terms as Secretary and President. In addition, she has served SEATA District IX through committees and, currently, as the Research Coordinator of SEATA’s student symposium ATSS. She has been selected to present at local, state, district, and national levels on a variety of professional topics.

Karen is married to Nate Stanton of Illinois. The couple and their 3 amazing children, Ezra, Kalynn and Noah, reside in Auburn, Alabama.

Karen Straub Stanton

2020

Chris King

2018

Ed Harris

2018

The University of West Alabama
Head Athletic Trainer 1998-Present
Instructor in Athletic Training and Physical Education 1991-Present
Associate Athletic Trainer 1992-1997
Assistant Athletic Trainer 1990-1992
Chairman, Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers 2014-Present
President, Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association 2003-2006
ALATA Award of Merit Recipient 2003 & 2007
NATA Athletic Training Service Award 2008
Vice Chairman, Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers 2010-2013
Vice President, Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association 2001-2003
Member, SEATA Executive Council 2003-2006
Member, Alabama Board of Athletic trainers 2003-06 & 2007-09
Member, Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association Executive Council 2000-2001
Chairman of ALATA Annual Clinical Symposium 2001-2003
Chairman, ALATA Scholarship Committee 2000-2003
Member, SEATA Scholarship Committee 2003-2005
Athletic Trainer for Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic 1984-1991

Brad Montgomery

2015

University of Alabama
Teacher/Athletic Trainer - Tuscaloosa Co. High School 1979-1987
Manager – DCH Sports Medicine 1987-1999
President – Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association 1995-1999
Athletic Trainer – Track and Field – Olympic Games 1996
Head Football Athletic Trainer – University of Alabama 1999-2007
SEATA College Athletic Trainer of the Year 2003
AKATA College Athletic Trainer of the Year 2006
Director of Rehabilitation Services – University of Alabama 1997-Present
ALATA College Athletic Trainer of the Year 2008
Adjunct Faculty -ATEP – University of Alabama 2009-Present

Rodney Brown

2012

Graduate of University of North Alabama 1972, 1974
University of North Alabama Head Athletic Trainer 1970-1990
Member National Athletic Trainers Association 1973-Present
Athletic Trainer for Gulf South Conference All Star Basketball Team 1976
Athletic Trainer for Blue-Gray All Star Football Classic 1980-2001
Committee Member for Shoals Division II National Championship Game 1986-Present
Sports Medicine Director for Division II National Championship Game 1986-Present
University of North Alabama Assistant Athletic Director 1989-1990
North Alabama Bone and Joint Clinic Director of Sports Medicine 1989-2009
University of North Alabama Associate Athletic Trainer and Consultant 1990-Present
University of North Alabama Assistant Professor 1990-Present
Athletic Trainer for Alabama – Mississippi All Star Basketball 1991-2002
Inducted into University of North Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame 1999
Inducted into Lawrence County, Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame 2000
National Athletic Trainers Association 25 year Award

Johnny O. Long

2009

BS Degree Eastern Kentucky University 1973
MA Degree Eastern Kentucky University 1974
Jacksonville State University’s First Athletic Trainer 1974
Assistant AD for Sports Medicine, Jacksonville State University 1991
Associate AD for Sports Medicine, Jacksonville State University 2008
Jacksonville State University Division II National Champion
*Gymnastics 1984, 1985
*Men’s Basketball 1985
*Baseball 1990, 1991
*Football 1992
NCAA Rifle Committee 1992-1998
Jacksonville State University Hall of Fame 2005
Associate Member NATA
Members American Sports Medicine Fellowship Society

Jim Skidmore

2009

Troy University
Troy State University, Graduate Assistant 1978
Athletic Trainer, Central High School, Phenix City, AL 1979-1982
Athletic Trainer, Early County High School, Blakely, GA 1982-1987
Assistant Athletic Trainer, Troy State University 1987-1991
Head Athletic Trainer, Troy University 1991-Present
American Sports Medicine Fellowship Society

Chuck Ash

2008

Student Trainer, Georgia Southern College 1975-1978
Graduate Assistant Northeast Louisiana University 1978-1980
Atlanta Braves Minor League 1978-1979
Teacher ATC Newnan High School 1980-1982
Detroit Tigers Minor League 1981
Teacher ATC Shaw High School 1982
Head Athletic Trainer – Troy University 1983-1991
NCAA Division II Football National Champions 1984 & 1987
NCAA Division II Baseball National Champions 1986 & 1987
Founded Wiregrass Sports Medicine Center 1991
ALATA Scholarship Committee 1993-1998
ALATA Continuing Education Committee 1994-Present
Partner Dothan Therapy Associates 1996-1999
United States Swimming Sports Medicine Society 1996-2000
Athletic Trainer Swimming & Diving Olympic Games 1996
United States Olympic Training Center 1998
World University Games USA Swimming 1999
Sports Medicine Director Southern Bone & Joint Specialists 1999-Present
ALATA Clinical Athletic Trainer of the Year Award 2003
NATA 25 Year Service Award

Marshall Smith

2008

University of Alabama
Student Athletic Trainer Austin Peay State University 1976-1979
Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer Austin Peay State University 1979-1981
Head Women’s Athletic Trainer University of Miami 1981-1987
Athletic Trainer University of Alabama 1987-Present
SEATA Scholarship Committee Chairman 1985-1994
US Olympic Sports Medicine Volunteer Athletic Trainer 1987-1991
Athletic Trainer Pan American Games Havana, Cuba 1991
Secretary/Treasurer ALATA 1992-1996
Olympic Games Chief Volleyball Athletic Trainer 1996
US Track and Field Assistant Athletic trainer 2000
Junior USA vs Canada Track and Field Championships 2000
Head Athletic Trainer USA Track & Field World Junior Championships 2002
Women’s Athletic Training Committee, District 9/Alabama 2003-Present
Athletes in Action, Athletic Trainer, Poland 2004
SEATA District Award 1995
SEATA College Athletic Trainer Award 2001
NATA 25 Year Award 2004
NATA Service Award 2006

Sherry Kimbro

2007

University of Alabama
Attended Carbon Hill High School Carbon Hill, Alabama 1960-1964
B.S. Degree HPER University of Alabama 1964-1967
M.A. Degree HPER University of Alabama 1967-1968
Athletic Trainer/Coach/Teacher Clarkston High School Clarkston, GA 1968-1971
Director of Sports Medicine-Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA 1972-1987
Director of Sports Medicine-University of Alabama 1987-Present
Member of NATA 1967-Present
Hosted 1st Annual SEATA Symposium 1974
Athletic Trainer for International summer Olympics Games, Atlanta, GA 1996
NATA Service Award 1996
NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award
Vice-Chairman Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers 2002-Present
NATA CUATC Committee 2003-Present
NATA Hall of Fame Award 2004

Bill McDonald

2005

The University of West Alabama
Head Athletic Trainer 1974-1998
Program Director, UWA Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center 1986-present
Director of Athletic Training & Sports Medicine, Chairman & Professor of Physical Education and Athletic Training 1998-Present
Author, Manual of Structural Kinesiology
District IX Representative NATA Educational Multimedia Committee 1988-2002
Director Student SEATA Competencies in Athletic Training Workshop 1996-Present
Member of Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association Executive Council 1998-1999
Athletic Trainer for Blue-Gray All-Star Football Game 1975-2001
Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association District IX Award 1990
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer Service Award 1996
National Athletic Trainers’ Association 25 Year Award 2000
Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association SEATA Award of Merit 2001
The University of West Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame 2001
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer 2003

R.T. Floyd

2004

University of Alabama Birmingham
Head Athletic Trainer 1978-1982
Director of Sports Medicine 1995-Present
Director of UAB Sports Medicine Clinic 1975-Present
University of Georgia Student Trainer 1970-1974
Assistant Trainer Birmingham Americans WFL 1974-75
Founded UAB Sports Medicine Clinic 1975
United States Olympic Training Center 1979
Chairman District 9 SEATA Convention 1989
Member of Alabama Sports Medicine Society Executive Board 1992
Member of Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers 1994
Member of Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association Executive Council 1996
Chairman of Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers 1996-Present
Athletic Trainer - Track and Field - Olympic Games 1996
NATA 25 Year Service Award 1998
SEATA Clinical Athletic Trainer of the Year 1999
NATA National Service Award 1999

Drew Ferguson

2002

Head Athletic Trainer 1982-1995
Director of Athletic Training 1995-1999
Director, Athletic Training Education 1985-present
Assistant Athletic Director 2000-present
ALATA Licensure Task Force 1992-1993
Alabama Board of Athletic Training 1993-present
Vice-Chairman, Alabama Board of Athletic Training 1996-present
NATA College & University Athletic Trainers’ Committee 1995-2002
Athletic Trainer – Track &Field – Olympic Games 1996
SEATA District Award 1997
SEATA Education & Administration Award 2001
NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award 2001
NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award 2001
ALATA President 2001-present
SEATA Executive Committee 2001-present

Chris Gillespie

2002

Teacher, ATC, Hueytown High School 1970-1973
Teacher, ATC, Hoover High School 1973-1996
Associate Athletic trainer, Samford University 1996-1999
Head Athletic Trainer, Samford University 1999-present
SEATA High School Athletic Trainer of the Year 1992
Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers’ Secretary 1995-present
Charter Member, Alabama Sports Medicine Society 1995
SEATA Ethics Committee Chair 1997-present
US Olympics Track and Field 1996
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer Service Award 2001

Wayne Kendrick

2001

University of North Alabama 1974
Graduate Assistant Murray State University 1975
US Olympic Volleyball Team Trainer 1975
Head Women’s Trainer University of Alabama 1976-1982
University of Alabama Assistant Professor 1978-1989
Director of Sports Medicine University Orthopedic Clinic 1989-1992
Shelton State Community College Assistant Professor 1989-1992
Brewer State Community College Assistant Professor 1989-1992
Founded Pedorthic Care Center 1993
Pedorthic Executive Board 1993
Consultant for LPGA 1998

Donna Robertson

2000

Graduate Assistant, Auburn University 1964-1965
Head Athletic Trainer, Auburn High School 1966
Head Athletic Trainer and Track Coach, Troy State University 1967-1979
Head Athletic Trainer, Louisiana State University 1979-1989
SEC Football Champions 1984, 1988
Program Director and Chairman Department of Athletic Training, Troy State University
Blue Gray Football Trainer 1972-1979
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Service Award 1997
National Athletic Trainers’ Association 25 Year Award 1993

John "Doc" Anderson

1999

University of Alabama
Assistant Athletic Trainer 1969-1987
Associate Athletic Trainer 1988-1994
Instructor in Athletic Training 1970-1994
NATA Ethics Committee 1982-1990
President, Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association 1982-1986

Henry "Sang" Lyda

1998

Auburn University
Assistant Athletic Trainer 1960-1975
Head Athletic Trainer 1976-1994
Director of Career Counseling Drug Education 1994
Auburn Athletic Department’s Distinguished Service Award 1983
Chilton County Auburn Alumni Association’s Unsung Hero Award 1993

Herb "Hub" Waldrop

1998

Athletic Trainer, University of Alabama 1945-1949, 1950-1957
Athletic Trainer, Livingston University 1949
Athletic Trainer, Chicago White Sox 1957-1958
Athletic Trainer, Denver Broncos 1959-1964
Athletic Trainer, Birmingham City Schools 1965-1977
Athletic Trainer, Blue-Gray Game 1968-1976
Made significant contributions towards passage of the Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Licensure Act in 1993

Fred Posey

1997

Assistant Athletic Trainer, Baltimore Colts 1957-1962
Assistant Athletic Trainer, New York Jets 1962-1963
Professor of Health Science and Athletic Trainer, Long Island University 1963-1977
Associate Professor and Health Director, Tuskegee University 1977-1983
Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education, Alabama State University 1983-1985
Athletic Trainer, World Games for Cerebral Palsy 1985, 1986
Member of US Olympic Committee, Athletic Trainer, Olympic Games 1988, 1992
Athletic Trainer, US Cerebral Palsy Championship 1991
Athletic Trainer, US Cerebral Palsy Team, World International Games, Para-Olympics 1994
Inducted into Shaw College Sports Hall of Fame 1995

Theodore Childs

1996

Athletic Trainer, Gadsden High School 1941-1996
Athletic Trainer, Gadsden Raider
“I know of no one in the State of Alabama who has distinguished himself more in unselfish service to young people.” – Gadsden Mayor Steve Means

M.B. Hooten

1996

University of Alabama
Head Athletic Trainer 1957-1984
Assistant Athletic Director 1984-1987
Executive Athletic Director 1987-1993
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame Inductee 1984
Head Athletic Trainer for Blue-Grey Games and Senior Bowl All-Start Games for 15 years

Jim Goostree

1995

Auburn University
Head Athletic Trainer 1948-1976
Assistant Athletic Director 1976-1980
Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation, Director of Sports Relations 1980-1994
Inducted into National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame 1976
National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Directors
Athletic Trainer US Olympic team 1972 1976
Head Athletic Trainer World University Games 1977-1979
Head Athletic Trainer for Blue Grey and Senior Bowl All-Star games for 10 years

Kenny Howard

1995