Hall of Fame

Jon Darling (JD) has dedicated nearly 30 years to the athletic training profession. Jon has been an active member of the NDATA, MAATA, and NATA committing himself to being a difference maker for the profession.  He has been instrumental in continuing to move athletic training forward in the state of North Dakota and beyond, stepping up to serve in many different capacities.

Service: 

MAATA Board of Directors 

NDATA Executive Director 

NDATA President

NDATA Vice President

NDATA Public Relations Chairperson

NDATA Secretary/Treasurer

NATA Educational Multimedia Committee

MAATA Multimedia Chairperson

Education:

B.S in Athletic Training, North Dakota State University, 1990

Employment:

American Gold Gymnastics, Athletic Trainer, 1990-1992

Red River Valley Sports Medicine Institute, Fargo-Moorhead Fever Head Athletic Trainer, 1992-1994

Red River Valley Sports Medicine Institute, Frappier Acceleration Training, 1994-2000

Red River Valley Sports Medicine Institute, West Fargo High School Head Athletic Trainer, 1994-2000

Sanford Sports Medicine, Fargo North High School Lead Athletic Trainer, 2000 

Awards:

NDATA Athletic Trainer of the Year, 2014

NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award, 2015

NATA Servant’s Heart Award, 2019

Jon has made his home in Fargo, ND. He is married to Suzi and they have two children, Erik and Kiernan.   JD also has 20 years of service in the North Dakota Army National Guard and actively supports Special Olympics of North Dakota.

 

Mark Romanick has dedicated over 35 years to the physical therapy and athletic training professions. Mark has been an active member of the NDATA, MAATA, and NATA and North Dakota and American Physical Therapy Associations. 

Service: 

MAATA District 5 Board of Directors, NDATA Executive Director, President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. 

Education:

B.S. in Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota, 1978

Athletic Training Education, North Dakota State University and University of Idaho, 1978-1983

Master of Physical Therapy, University of North Dakota, 1993

Ph.D. in Physiology, University of North Dakota, 2002

Employment:

St. Alexius Center, Bismarck –  1985

Trinity Medical Center, Minot – Sports Medicine Coordinator, 1985-1994

University of North Dakota, Associate Professor, 1994-

Awards:

University Foundation McDermott Award for Excellence in Teaching (UND Physical Therapy Department), 1997

NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award, 2003

Department of Excellence in Service Award (UND Physical Therapy Department), 2009

Grand Forks has been home for Mark and his family for the past 19 years. Mark is married to Lita and they have three daughters, Lindsay, Maria, and Laurissa, and two sons, Aaron and Gavin. 

 

Jim Rudd has been involved in the athletic training profession since 1973 when he was an assistant athletic trainer with the Philadelphia Eagles Football Club. He was part of many different state, district, and national offices. He was instrumental to the athletic training profession within the state of North Dakota and promoted the profession in many ways; to medical students and residents in his role as a Sports Medicine Preceptor at the University of North Dakota, to the athletic training students at UND. 

Service: 

North Dakota Board of Licensure

State and District Officer

National Committee Chair

Employment:

Head Athletic Trainer, Program Director, University of North Dakota, 1989-2004

Awards:

Outstanding Young Men in America Award, 1984

NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award, 2003

Jim was married to Elaine and had one daughter, Jennifer Renkley of Wellington, CO. He passed away on August 2, 2014. 

 

Jeff Kroeber has been involved with athletic training for over 30 years. He was the association’s first President and Chairman of the first Licensure Board of Athletic Trainers. He testified in the North Dakota House of Representatives and the North Dakota’s State & Federal Committees to pass a bill for licensure for athletic trainers. He has served in the North Dakota House of Representatives for five legislative sessions. 

Service: 

MAATA District 5 Board of Directors, NDATA Executive Director, President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. 

Education:

B.S. in Biology and Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Valley City State University, 1965

Master of Science, Education, North Dakota State University, 1969

Employment:

Jamestown High School 

 

In 1977, Leo and four other athletic trainers began the NDATA and became the first Executive Director. During the late 70s and early 80s, Leo wrote the first draft of the present North Dakota Licensure Bill for Athletic Trainers. Over the past 28 years, he’s held positions within the NDATA, MAATA, and NATA. Leo and his wife, Laura, are both employed by the Fargo Public School system and reside in Fargo, ND. They have two children, Leandra and Kristopher. 

Service: 

NDATA Executive Director, 1977 

Education:

B.S in Health/Physical Education with Emphasis in Athletic Training, University of Montana, 1975

Masters in Special Education with Certification in E/BD , Moorhead State University, 2001

Employment:

Physical Education Instructor, Athletic Trainer, Fargo Public School System 1975-1982

Butte Public School System, 1982-1984

Director of Athletic Training, Red River Valley Sports Medicine Institute, Fargo, 1984-2000

Fargo Public School System, 2000-

 

Tom worked as a student trainer under the direction of Dr. Denis Isrow. He has been very active in the organization and operation of the NDATA. Tom coordinated the first state clinical symposium, a meeting that has been held annually since. He established Sports Injury Awareness Day that had clinical meetings run by athletic trainers for coaches across the state.  Tom was a speaker at the NATA Annual Convention and Symposium in Kansas City, 1993, He spoke on the ability to function in a high school setting and maintain your personal life. Tom and his wife, Julie, have two children, Randy and Cindy. 

Service: 

NDATA Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-President, President, Executive Director, State Representative to NATA District 5 Executive Board

Education:

B.S. in Physical Education, Emphasis in Athletic Training, North Dakota State University, 1976

Employment:

Fargo Public School System, Teacher and Athletic Trainer, 1976-Present

 

Dr. Denis Isrow was nicknamed the “Father of Athletic Training in North Dakota”. He was the first full-time athletic trainer in the state of North Dakota and North Dakota State University history. He went out of his way to be a teacher, listener, friend, healer, and psychologist. He was an often-requested author, speaker, and clinician. Dr. Isrow and his wife, Geraldine, have two sons and two daughters. Dr. Isrow passed away on December 16, 2012. 

Education:

University of Detroit

Adams State College (CO)

Masters, NDSU, 1965

Doctorate of Education, University of Utah, 1975

Awards:

North Central Conference Hall of Fame, 1988

NDSU Athletic Hall of Fame, 1990

NATA Hall of Fame, 1995

MAATA Hall of Fame, 1996