2026 Hall of Fame Inductee – Myron Cullen
2026 Service Award Recipient – Dr. Fredrick Mitzel
Previous NDATA Award Winners
Hall of Fame
1997 – Denis “Izzy” Isrow
1997 – Tom Peterson
2000 – Leo Dougherty
2002 – Joe Kroeber
2009 – Jim Rudd
2012 – Mark Romanick
2019 – Jon Darling
2020 – John Quick
2022 – Sara Bjerke
2023 – Brenda Potter
2024 – Dr. Nicole German
2025 – Dr. Steven Westereng
2026 – Myron Cullen
Athletic Trainer of the Year
2013 – Brenda Potter
2014 – Jon Darling
2015 – Robyn Gust
2016 – Ray Hall
2018 – Nikki German
2019 – Brandi Currie
2020 – Kevin Melby
2021 – Alecia Wells
Brenda Potter Excellence in Athletic Training
2022 – Brad Reed
2023 – Alyssa Albrecht
2024 – Stacy Stoner
2025 – Scott Witte
NDATA Service Award
2013 – Dr. William Mann
2014 – Dr. Robyn Knutson – Bueling
2016 – Shane Goettle & Cory Fong
2018 – Dr. Greg Greek
2019 – Dr. Penn
2021 – Dr. Erin Haugen
2022 – Dr. Ben Noonan
2024 – Dr. Adam Quinn
2025 – Dr. Skari
2026 – Dr. Fredrick Mitzel
John Quick Scholarship
2003- Suzie Jelinek, UND
2004 – Jennifer Berg, NDSU
2005 – Hidefusa “George” Okamatsu, NDSU
2008 – Karissa Larter, UND
2015 – Charlotte Walters, UMary
2017 – Kaisa Morstad, VSCU
2019 – Candyce Nysted
2020 – Allyssa Weitkum
2021 – Tabitha Muncy, VCSU
Jon Darling Scholarship
Previous MAATA Award Winners
Previous NATA Award Winners
The NDATA recognizes members who make extraordinary contributions to our profession and association at the NDATA State Meeting. The specific awards are described below. To nominate an Athletic Trainer for an award, review the criteria and complete the online application form including a description of why the AT is deserving of this award. The Honors and Awards committee will notify qualified nominees and coordinate collection of supporting documents.
*Applications are accepted December 1st – March 1st.
**2 Letters of Endorsement are required for each award and are due March 1st.
Award Descriptions
NDATA Hall of Fame
The highest honor a member of the NDATA can receive within the organization is induction into the NDATA Hall of Fame. The NDATA invites members to recognizes Athletic Trainers within the state who have made significant impact in the Athletic Training profession. These Athletic Trainers are recognized for their outstanding contributions in the areas of: service to the local region, state, or nation; education, patient care; research; and leadership.
To be eligible for nomination, a candidate must meet one of the following criteria:
1. 25 years of active athletic training in North Dakota; currently licensed in North Dakota or have retired status.
2. 20 years of active athletic training in North Dakota; has been on a state committee or on the Executive Board;
contributed to the profession of athletic training through publication, speaking, or participation in association projects.
3. Deceased NDATA Athletic Trainer, who has not met the length of service requirement, may be considered for induction
based on professional accomplishments and/or service to the athletic training profession in the state of North Dakota.
4. If currently licensed in North Dakota, may be nominated on a write in petition signed by 75% of the association
membership.
5. Anyone inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame will automatically be inducted into the NDATA Hall of Fame.
Brenda Potter Excellence in Athletic Training
Brenda Potter exemplified professionalism of an athletic trainer. Brenda’s commitment to athletic training greatly impacted the NDATA and its members. Brenda tragically passed away in 2021, however her leadership and commitment can still be used to guide NDATA members.
The Brenda Potter Excellence in Athletic Training Award goes to an NDATA member that has shown commitment to improving the profession of athletic training. This commitment may be a single significant event or an accumulation of work over time. The NDATA invites members to members to nominate eligible and deserving candidates for this prestigious honor to be recognized for their contributions to the profession of Athletic Training.
To be eligible for nomination, a candidate must meet the following criteria:
1. Good standing in NDATA or retired status.
NDATA Brenda Potter Nomination Form 2022 Final- fillable
NDATA Service Award
The NDATA Service Award goes to a person or entity that is not an athletic trainer and that has shown a commitment to improving the profession of athletic training in North Dakota. Examples of award nominees are individual physicians, mental health professionals, governmental affairs advocates, health care facilities, athletic directors, or anyone that may support athletic training. The NDATA invites members to nominate eligible and deserving candidates for this prestigious honor to be recognized for their contributions to the profession of Athletic Training.
Scholarship Opportunities
APPLICATION DUE APRIL 1st
The John Quick Scholarship Fund was established in memory of John Quick, L/ATC, who was a member and supporter of the North Dakota Athletic Trainers’ Association. He served as the athletic training coordinator for Dakota Clinic for many years. John lost his battle with cancer in the summer of 2001. We are honored that John’s family has allowed us to keep his memory alive by providing athletic training students with a scholarship in his name.
Interested students must meet all requirements and guidelines. Requirements:
- Must be a first year (graduate) status during the application period. Awarded funds are to be used in the student’s final academic year.
- Grade point average of 3.0 or
- Must want to work in the athletic training profession after
- Must be a current member of the North Dakota Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Guidelines for Application:
- Complete the application form.
- Submit two (2) letters of recommendation:
- One from the Program Director or instructor in the AT Program.
- One from clinical
- Submit an official transcript
- Submit an essay about future career goals (approximately two pages, double-spaced).
Jon Darling Memorial Scholarship