Click here to nominate a deserving individual!

          Links for Scholarships, Honors, and Recognitions are below.

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AWARDS

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Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year

Awarded to a high school athletic trainer in recognition of their professionalism, dedication to their patients, and actions that advance athletic training and the mission of The Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. The nominee must be a credentialed Athletic Trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, a member of ATAF, and practice in a high school setting for a minimum of 3 years. If the nominee is employed by a clinic, then at least half of their hours must be working in a high school. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated. 

 

​College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year

Awarded to an athletic trainer practicing within the collegiate setting in recognition of their professionalism, dedication to their patients, and actions that advance athletic training and the mission of The Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and practice in the college/university setting for a minimum of 3 years. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

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Educator of the Year
Awarded to a college or university faculty member who teaches or serves an administrative role in a professional or post-professional athletic training program in recognition of their professionalism, dedication to their students, and actions that advance athletic training and the mission of The Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and meet the above criteria for a minimum of 5 years. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

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Professional Athletic Trainer of the Year

Awarded to an athletic trainer who practices with a professional sports team either full-time or part-time in recognition of their professionalism, dedication to their patients, and actions that advance athletic training and the mission of the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and meet the above criteria for a minimum of 5 years. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

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Practice Advancement Athletic Trainer of the Year

Awarded to an athletic trainer who practices within the emerging settings of athletic training, including but not limited to healthcare administration/rehabilitation, armed forces, occupational health, performing arts, physician practice, and public safety in recognition of their professionalism and dedication to their patients, and actions which advance athletic training and the mission of The Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and meet the above criteria for a minimum of 5 years. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

 

Back Bone Award

Awarded to a member of a sports medicine team that positively impacts and/or supports the director of athletic training services, in recognition of their altruism and dedication beyond the call of the job.   The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and meet the above criteria for a minimum of 2 years. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

 

Professional Outreach or Entrepreneur Award

Given to an athletic trainer who has displayed throughout the year a high level of dedication and passion for promoting the profession of athletic training through marketing, outreach, public relation projects, and various creative and strategic methods of educating athletic trainers, other health care providers, and the public about the athletic training profession. The nominee must be a Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer and member of ATAF for a minimum of 5 years, licensed to practice Athletic Training in the State of Florida and can work in any setting. Members of ATAF can make nominations. The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and meet the above criteria for a minimum of 5 years. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

 

Dr. Robert Cade Sports Medicine Person of the Year

Named in honor of Dr. James Robert Cade, a nephrologist at the University of Florida College of Medicine who invented Gatorade.  This is awarded to a sports medicine professional, regardless of the field, who has demonstrated over the past year an outstanding dedication and devotion to the profession of athletic training here in the state of Florida.  This individual has supported and participated in the advancement and employment of athletic trainers throughout our state. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

 

Honorary Membership

Awarded to an individual, regardless of field, who has demonstrated over 10 years of outstanding dedication to the athletic trainers of the State of Florida. Members of ATAF can make nominations.

 

Pre-Professional Student of the Year Award

The recipient of this award will receive a plaque recognizing their award and must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must have a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale

• The applicant must be nominated by a certified and licensed athletic trainer in good standing with the BOC, NATA, ATAF, and Florida Department of Health.

• The applicant must be a high school or baccalaureate junior or senior to be nominated.

• It must be the intent of the applicant to pursue the profession of athletic training.

• This award will be chosen by the Pre-Professional Student Committee

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Diversity and Inclusion Award

This award recognizes an AT who has advanced the provision of health care services and/or contributed to the professional development and advancement of diverse athletic trainers or athletic training students within the state of Florida. The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and meet the above criteria for a minimum of 5 years. Members of ATAF can make nominations. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated.

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Career Achievement Award

Awarded to a certified athletic trainer and ATAF member who has been in practice as a licensed athletic trainer in Florida for a minimum of 10 years and demonstrates distinguished professional achievement, service to the profession and community, and mentorship in athletic training throughout their career.  The nominee must be credentialed as an athletic trainer, licensed by the FLDOH, member of ATAF, and meet the above criteria. This award will only be presented if qualified candidates are nominated. Current ATAF Hall of Fame members will not be eligible.

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HONORS

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Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer of the Year

Given to an athletic trainer who has displayed throughout the year a high level of professionalism and whose actions have improved the Athletic Training profession and The Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida. This athletic trainer must have demonstrated the work ethic of going beyond his or her established responsibilities, serving professionally through leadership, mentoring, and demonstrating outstanding and unusual service to our profession in a way that benefits our members and the association.  This award will be given to the nominee whose evaluation scores (as scored by the Honors and Awards Committee) are the highest of all the nominees in any eligible category that year.

 

President's Award

Awarded by the President of ATAF to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in the practice of Athletic Training through dedication, selflessness, hard work, and their contribution to the mission of the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida and/or the role of athletic trainers within Florida.

 

Service Award

Awarded to outgoing executive board (elected), chairperson, and/or task force leaders in recognition of their service to The Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida.  Service must be for a minimum of 1-year required.

 

Hall of Fame Membership

Awarded in recognition of those who have supported the Athletic Training profession through state activities, worked to establish the profession of Athletic Training, and been involved in the caring of the athletes of Florida. Nominees must be Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainers with 20 years’ experience and a minimum of 20 years’ service in the State of Florida. Activities in ATAF, SEATA, and the NATA will be most heavily weighted. Other professional areas of consideration include research, clinics, presentations and lectures, state meetings, publications, and other honors and awards. *All HOF nominations must be sent directly to scott.anderson0416@gmail.com.

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RECOGNITIONS

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Friends of ATAF

Awarded to an individual or business, regardless of field, who has demonstrated dedication to the athletic trainers of the State of Florida within the past year. CLICK HERE to nominate an individual or business.

 

Lifesaver Certificate of Recognition

Following the guidelines of the NATA Lifesaver Recognition Program, ATAF would like to recognize when an Athletic Trainer has been directly involved with a Lifesaving event.  A lifesaving event is defined as a situation in which the victim(s) would have or most likely have died had the Athletic Trainer not intervened by providing skilled medical care and assistance.  The Athletic Trainer will receive a Certificate of Recognition at the annual ATAF Meeting.  If you or someone you know deserves to be recognized, please CLICK HERE to complete the brief questionnaire.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

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All students must be ATAF members. If you currently live in and are attending a school in Florida, please update your NATA membership on the NATA website.

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EDAC Scholarship

The Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee (EDAC) of the Athletic Trainers' Association of Florida (ATAF) strives to identify and address issues relevant to ethnically diverse populations to serve their needs better and members of the athletic training profession. The EDAC scholarship, established in October 2020, supports a student from a professional or post-professional degree program demonstrating a commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the profession. EDAC will provide a $1500 scholarship to an ethnic minority athletic training student enrolled full-time in either a professional degree program or a post-professional degree program. 

 

Applicants should be: 

• Be individuals of a historically excluded community based on race or ethnicity. 

• Full-time Athletic Training Student in Florida currently enrolled full-time in a professional or post-professional degree program. 

• *Post Professional Student 

  • proof of BOC & FLDOH good standing 

• NATA, SEATA & ATAF member 

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 

• Require assistance with the funding of their athletic training education 

 

Applicants will be required to submit a one-page narrative incorporating the following prompts: 

• Brief background about yourself and what led you to enroll in a professional degree program or post-professional degree program 

• Professional goals within the athletic training profession 

• The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Athletic Training 

• Your evidence of commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the athletic training profession  

• Why should you be considered for this scholarship? 

 

Include with Submission 

• Two Letters of support addressing the evaluation criteria 

  • The program director or another AT program faculty 

  • Certified Athletic Trainer 

• Verification of current GPA 

• Verification of NATA Membership 

• *Post Professional Student 

  • Proof of BOC & FLDOH good standing 

• Resume or CV – including NPI number 

 

To apply for this scholarship, CLICK HERE.

 

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Hall of Fame Legacy Scholarship

This award is given by the ATAF Hall of Fame in honor of a current member of the Hall of Fame.  It is given to students enrolled in a post-professional education program or CAATE-accredited professional program. For more information and how to donate, please CLICK HERE.

 

The student must fit the following criteria:

• Must be enrolled in a CAATE-accredited professional Athletic Training Program or a post-professional Athletic training program (DAT) in Florida.

• NATA, SEATA & ATAF member 

• Must have a letter of recommendation from the program director or clinical education coordinator. When completing the nomination process the sponsoring AT should address the nominee’s qualities and abilities in the areas of academics, athletic training, and community service/involvement.

• Post-professional Program students must be BOC certified and licensed by the FL Department of Health

• GPA of 3.0 or above

• Must have an NPI number

• CANNOT be on full scholarship.

 

In lieu of a cover letter please submit a one-page biographical sketch that includes your professional plans after graduation and why you think you should be considered for this scholarship.

 

To apply for this scholarship, CLICK HERE.

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Zach Martin Foundation Scholarship

The mission of the Zach Martin Foundation is to provide education and awareness to athletes, coaches, and parents about Exertional Heat Illnesses (EHI). Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS) is 100% survivable if recognized and treated promptly.  The Foundation is graciously offering a $1,000 scholarship to a professional athletic training student in memory of Zach Martin.  For more information on Zach’s story, please GO HERE. 

 

The criteria for the scholarship are:

• AT student in Florida currently enrolled in a CAATE-Accredited Professional AT Program

• NATA, SEATA & ATAF member 

• Minimum GPA: 3.5

• Provide a one-page biographical sketch that includes your professional plans after graduation and why you think you should be considered for this scholarship

• Provide a narrative on what you think is the best approach to Exertional Heat Stroke education

• A Letter of Recommendation from your program director or another AT Program faculty. The program director or other AT Program faculty should address the nominee’s qualities and abilities in the areas of academics, athletic training, and social involvement. If applicable, include any outstanding personal interaction skills that show empathy, caring, or support to others that you have observed.

 

To apply for this scholarship, CLICK HERE.

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Rafe Maccarone Scholarship

This scholarship is sponsored by Who We Play For, a non-profit organization striving to prevent sudden cardiac death in memory of Rafe Maccarone. For more information on Rafe’s story, please click here.

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Scholarship Criteria:

• AT student in Florida currently enrolled in a CAATE-Accredited Professional AT Program

• NATA, SEATA & ATAF member

• Minimum GPA: 3.5

• Provide a one-page biographical sketch that outlines your professional plans after graduation and explains why you should be considered for this scholarship.

• Provide a narrative on the best approach to preventing sudden cardiac death.

• A Letter of Recommendation from your program director or another AT Program faculty.

  • The program director or other AT Program faculty should address the nominee’s qualities and abilities in the areas  of academics, athletic training, and social involvement.

  • If applicable, include any outstanding personal interaction skills that show empathy, caring, or support to others that you have observed.

 

To apply for this scholarship, CLICK HERE.

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