'MOST DISTINGUISHED': MU athletic trainer takes top national honor

COLUMBIA, 9/1/10  (Beat Byte) --  The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) has selected University of Missouri, Columbia athletic trainer Eric McDonnell (left) recipient of the 2010 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award.  The national honor recognizes dedication and service to the athletic training profession at the local, state, national and/or international level.

 

"Dedication, innovation, loyalty and leadership are common traits among MDAT recipients," says NATA Executive Director Eve Becker-Doyle.  "Those who receive the honor serve as an inspiration to their peers and as role models to the next generation of certified athletic trainers."

 

"Eric is richly deserving of the award," said NATA Honors & Awards Committee Chair Rochel Rittgers. "Eric has dedicated his career to providing quality health care services and to the betterment of the athletic training profession."

 

McDonnell currently serves as NATA Governmental Affairs Chair and is President of NATA District Five (Mid America Athletic Trainers Association).  He was inducted in the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association's Sports Medicine Hall of Fame in 2003.