This award is given to an athletic trainer who is a current Member of the NSCA and whose work and contributions have significantly impacted the field of sports medicine or rehabilitation for athletes. The general NSCA membership submits nominations and the winner is selected by the Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Special Interest Group awards Ad Hoc Committee using written evaluation criteria.
Past recipients of the Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Specialist Award include:
2001 - Donald Chu, PhD
2002 - Jeff Fahrenbruch, MPT, CSCS,*D
2003 - Todd Ellenbecker, CSCS
2004 - Jeff Falkel, CSCS,*D
2005 - David Potach, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D
2007 - Dan Wathen, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FNSCA
2008 - Jaynie Bjornaraa, PhD, MPH, PT, CSCS,*D
2009 - Danny McMillian, DPT, CSCS
2010 - Scott E. Lawrance, CSCS
2011 - Greg Myer, PhD, CSCS
2012 - John P. McCarthy, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA