NORTHWEST
ATHLETIC TRAINERS' ASSOCIATION

Rick Griffin, Inducted 2023

Rick earned his BS in Health Education from Utah State University in 1977 and MS in Sports Medicine Anatomy from University of Oregon in 1978. He became a teacher/athletic trainer for several years before joining the Seattle Mariners as the second ever head athletic trainer in 1983 (following Gary Nicholson) and served in that role until 2017, when he retired and received Athletic Emeritus status by the ball club. Rick continues to assist the team with pursuing special projects and assisting with the Mariners High Performance Department. In his honor, a plaque honoring his career is placed in from for the Rick Griffin Athletic Training Room in the Mariners clubhouse.   

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Some of Rick’s accolades include 1999 Major League Athletic Training Staff of the year, 2013 Gene Monohan best medical staff in MLB and 2016 induction into the Washington State Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame.

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He was recognized by Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. during their MLB Hall of Fame induction speeches as well as by Ichiro Suzuki in his recent Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame induction last July. Further emphasizing the level of regard shown by these players for all of Rick’s hard work and dedication to the both physical and mental care.

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Through his work with the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers’ Society, including six years as the American League Representative, Rick helped lead the charge in modern athletic training. His creativity and willingness to share best practices and diversifying athletic training staff were two of the areas he was most passionate about. In his off season and down times, Rick has traveled to Japan 25 times to conduct athletic training workshops. In 2010, Rick also joined the Justin Rodeo Sports Medicine team covering large rodeo events. He has also worked multiple professional rodeos in Washington and Montana.

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Even with this very busy schedule, Rick has found time to give back to our profession having served as Chair of the NATA Hall of Fame committee, NWATA speaker on many occasions, member of NWATA Program Coordinator, and local program committee member.

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Dani Moffit, Inducted 2022

Dr. Moffit received her BS in Health Education from Idaho State University before attending Western Michigan University working on a MA in Physical Education, Athletic Training Specialization. She returned to Idaho State and earned a MPE in Athletic Administration before earning her PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training at Temple University in 2008.

 

Dr. Moffit is the Program Director of the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at Idaho State University. Prior to teaching at the post-secondary level, Dani taught and was an athletic trainer for the Meridian School District in Meridian, Idaho for 10 years.  She volunteers her time with the profession, including work with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, the Board of Certification, and the Pocatello Free Clinic.  Dani’s current research passions range from sexual harassment perceptions in athletic training to cultural education in health professions.

 

She has received many professional awards, most notably IATA Hall of Fame, as well as the CAATE President’s Award, BOC Dan Libera Service Award, and NATA Most Distinguished AT award.

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Cari Wood, Inducted 2018​​

Cari Wood graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in Education-Physical Education/Health.  She returned to her home state of Oregon to work as the Athletic Trainer at Lake Oswego HS for one year, then was offered the opportunity to become the first Athletic Trainer at Redmond HS in 1994. She built an athletic training program from scratch and has remained in Redmond ever since.  Cari served on the NWATA-D10 Board of Directors starting in 2003 as Oregon AT Society (OATS) President. She served 2 terms as Secretary of NWATA and then was elected as President/Director from 2012-2017 where she also served on the NATA Board of Directors.

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Cari was the recipient of the NATA Outstanding Service Award, is an OATS Hall of Fame member, and was the first woman inducted into the NWATA Hall of Fame in 2017.  She is married to Jon and is incredibly proud of their two children, Bradi and Riley.

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Marty Matney, Inducted 2016

Marty was certified in 1982 by the National Athletic Trainers Association.  He is a graduate of Washington State University.   Marty has worked as an Athletic Trainer at the US Military Academy, West Point, New York, taught physical therapy in the Army, and has over 25 years experience in physical therapy clinics in the Seattle area including being co-owner and Clinical Manager of Whitesel ProTherapy. In addition, he has worked with the Seattle Seahawks, consulted with the Seattle Supersonics and worked with numerous high schools and a variety of athletic programs and sports. He is currently Head Athletic Trainer/Program Manager for Work-Fit, heading the athletic training services with the Boeing Industrial Athletic Program in Everett, Washington. Marty has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and is very active in the National Athletic Trainers Association and a variety of community programs. He is currently the Chair of the Committee on Practice Advancement (COPA) and has served on the Board of Directors for NATAPAC, been a district representative to the Governmental Affairs Committee, Committee on Revenue, Reimbursement Advisory Group and Clinical/Industrial/Corporate Athletic Trainers Committee. Marty is past President of the Washington State Athletic Trainers Association (WSATA) and has been an on-going member of WSATA legislative activities since 1988. He has written several articles on athletic training for numerous national publications and has presented on athletic training topics at several state, district and national meetings. Marty is co-developer of the Triple Hurdle Sanitation System (THSS) for PolarZone NW hydrotherapy products. He has been honored as the NATA’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer (MDAT) and NATA’s Service Award as well as the Washington State Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2013. He is a Licensed Athletic Trainer and Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. He is a member of Handbell Musicians of America.

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Russ Richardson, Inducted 2015

Russ Richardson received his BA from Western Montana College in 1982. In 1984 he obtained a MA from California State University, Fresno and in 2008 earned his EdD from Washington State University.  Russ started his professional career as the owner/president of Central California AT & Rehabilitation from 1985-1988.  During that period he was also the Head AT and an Instructor at Kings River College.  In 1988, Russ took the position of Head AT and eventually became the Athletic Training Program Director for Whitworth University where he remained until 2011. In 2012 he took the position of Athletic Trainer & Associate Professor with the University of Montana Western.  Russ’s accomplishments include: District 10 Meeting Coordinator 1998-2003; District 10 Secretary/Treasurer 2003-2009; District 10 Director 2009-2013; NAIA Athletic Trainers Association President 1993-1996; Co-Chair of Washington State Licensure Legislation 2006-2009; CAATE Board Liaison 2009-2013; Executive Committee for Education Chair 2013-2017.  As an advocate for the profession, he was actively engaged in legislative efforts in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana.  Russ also developed international study programs in Sports Medicine for Japan.  He was best known for his teaching, mentoring, and the development of over 200 students who became certified ATs. 

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​​​​​​​​​Tony Fitzpatrick MS, LAT, ATC, Inducted 2014

Tony Fitzpatrick received his BS from College of Great Falls in 1985 and Boise State University in 1988 and his MA from Boise State University in 2005.  He began his career as a biology teacher and athletic trainer at Boise High School in 1988.  Tony began a successful sports medicine program there in 1990 that grew throughout the Boise School District.  He later served as the IATA Secretary/Treasurer from 1989 to 1995 and then IATA President from 1995 to 2001.  Tony was very involved with secondary schools at the state level that grew as he also served as the District 10 committee chair and also on the NATA secondary schools committee.  He was able to speak at several District Meetings and the NATA Annual Meeting sharing his insights on secondary schools.  Tony also served as the NWATA meeting coordinator for 3 years and as the NWATA Treasurer from 2009 to 2013. 

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​​​​​​​​​Jim Richards, MS, ATC, Inducted 2010

Jim Richards received his BS from Washington State University in 1953 and his MS from the University of Washington in 1965.  Athletic training was a second career for Jim and he went back to school in order to become an athletic trainer, obtaining certification in 1977.  Jim has worked in a variety of capacities and locations finishing his career at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington.  Jim served the profession in a variety of capacities and was very active in his community speaking often about athletic training.  Jim is credited with developing the first high school sports medicine curriculum in the state of Washington, and his program is the model that the state’s current vocational programs are based upon.

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​​​​​​​​​​Barrie Steele, MS, LAT, ATC, Inducted 2010

Barrie received his BS from Washington State University in 1979 followed by his MS from the University of Idaho in 1984.  He was an assistant athletic trainer at Washington State University from 1980 to 1986.  In 1986, he was hired as the Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Idaho in 1986 and has been there ever since.  During his time as Director of District X, Barrie was directly responsible for expanding scholarship opportunities for students, incorporating the NWATA and initiating legal action to protect the profession of athletic training.  Barrie Steele, along with Tom Koto, were the driving force behind the first student athletic training forum in the nation (1979-80) and the student quiz bowl. 

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Dale Blair, Inducted 2006

Dale Blair received his BA in education in 1982 from Central Washington University. After receiving a bachelor’s degree he was accepted into the University of Arizona’s Graduate program and was appointed as the Head Athletic Trainer at Sahuaro High School (1983). After graduation he was the Head Athletic Trainer at Conejo Valley Orthopedic (1983-1984), Wenatchee Valley College in conjunction with a Director of Sports Medicine position at Wenatchee Valley Clinic (1984-1992) and Teacher/Head Athletic Trainer at Wenatchee High School (1992-Present). He has received multiple honors for his participation in athletic training over the years. In 2001, he received the Washington State Excellence in Education award and in 2003 the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award. He has served the WSATA as executive director from 1988-1990.He presently serves on the Washington State High School Task force (1994-present). Dale is one of the pioneers who established athletic training curriculums in the secondary school environment in the Pacific Northwest.

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Tom Koto, Inducted 2005

Tom’s contributions at the state, district and national level are at a degree that no one else can compare. He took the state of Idaho through an initial legislative effort and again through the update of the bill and even wrote the rules and regulation documents. He continually shares his passion for governmental affairs by serving as chair of the NATA Governmental Affairs Committee and continues to serve on the LIME Team for the NATA. His efforts and service to the NWATA have been genuine and compassionate. Tom started his career in 1980 at the Idaho Institute of Sports Medicine as an Athletic Trainer and stayed until 2002.His contributions in leadership are as follows: He spoke at four State Athletic Training Association meetings on legislation and reimbursement. Tom has served on the Idaho Legislation and was President of the Idaho State Athletic Training Association for four years. He was inducted into the State Athletic Training Hall of Fame for Outstanding Athletic Trainer in Idaho in 2001.Along with these local achievements, Tom was apart of NATA LIME Team, NATA Legislative Committee Chair and NATA Reimbursement Advisory Committee from 2004 to present. He was NWATA District Director from 1997 to 2003 and Secretary-Treasurer from 1991 to 1997.

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​Dave Kendall, Inducted 2004

Dave Kendall received a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Whitworth College in 1964. In 1965, he received his Master's Degree in Health and Safety with major emphasis in Athletic Training. He was the head athletic trainer at the University of Pacific in Stockton, California from 1965-1971 and was also the head athletic trainer for the Lodi Crushers, a minor league baseball team. Kendall then moved to the NFL where he was an assistant athletic trainer with the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos and as head athletic trainer with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1977, Kendall began his career at University of Montana-Western. He has served as the head athletic trainer at many national championship events including the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament and the National Baseball Tournament. He was also honored as the recipient of the 1999 Award for Excellence for athletic training from Athletic Management magazine and was featured in the February/March 1999 issue.Kendall was inducted into the Western Montana College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997, the first person in sports medicine to achieve that honor.He was inducted into the University of Pacific at Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

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Jeke Schuldt, Inducted 2002

James Schuldt has been the Head Athletic Trainer and Coordinator of Sports Medicine at the University of Puget Sound since 1970.He received a B.A. in Physical Education in 1967 and then enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps for two years. Included in his many professional accomplishments are working in numerous athletic events such as the Goodwill Games, Olympic Marathon trials, Seattle Seahawks football club and many high championship events. He has twice been the coordinator of the District 10 Annual Meetings. His greatest accomplishment has been his dedication to the athletic training profession evidenced by the many outstanding students that he has supervised in his career.

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Ken Kladnik, Inducted 2000

Ken Kladnik received his BA in health education in 1973 from Central Washington University. After receiving a B.A., he was accepted into the University of Arizona's Graduate Internship program and was appointed as the Head Athletic Trainer at Salpointe High School. He became a Certified Athletic Trainer in 1975 and completed his M.Ed. in 1975. His employment history includes being the Head Athletic Trainer at Willamette University (1975-1977), Whitworth College (1977-78), the University of Idaho (1978-1982), Wenatchee Valley Clinic (1982-1984), Oregon State University (1984-1992), Eastern Oregon University (1992-2001) and Central Washington University (2001-present). He has been honored as the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 1997 as well as induction into the Central Washington Hall of Fame in 1994. He has served the NWATA as the chair of the Constitution and Bylaws committee and a member of the Scholarship Committee. He has served the NATA as the chairman of the NATA Foundation Scholarship Committee and as a board member of the NATA foundation. In addition, he was the Newsletter Editor from 1986-1994.

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Phillip Luckey, Inducted 1999

Phillip Luckey has been the head athletic trainer at Idaho State University since 1967. Before that, he worked as a teacher for two years at Bowie High School in Texas after earning his BS in 1965 and his MA in 1975 at Idaho State University. ISU entered him into the Hall of Fame in 1988. From 1980-1998, Phillip was an Idaho Special Olympics Athletic Trainer. He has served as the NWATA Placement Director and has been active in the Idaho State Athletic Trainers Association. In 1996, Phillip was awarded the NATA Service Award, and in 1997, the NATA 25-Year Award. He was on the Idaho State Board of Medicine from 1997-1999. In 1999, he was presented with the Distinguishing Service Award for the Simplot Games.

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Dennis Sealey, Inducted 1999

Dennis Sealey received his BS in 1970 from Wayne State University, his Certificate of Physical Therapy from The University of Iowa in 1972, and his MPE in 1977 from the University of Nebraska. He began his career as assistant athletic trainer for the University of Washington in 1972 until 1973. In 1973, Sealey returned to Nebraska and served as an instructor in HPER and as an athletic trainer. He returned to the Northwest as the head athletic trainer for the University of Washington in1978 until July of 2000 and has since been a partner at Whitesel ProTherapy in Kirkland, Washington. In 1982, he was the Chairman of the NATA Convention in Seattle. From 1982-1988, Dennis was the NWATA District Secretary/Treasurer and the NWATA District President from 1988-1994. He was also District 10's representative to the NATA Research and Education Foundation Board of Directors from 1997-2003. In 1996, he was awarded with the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, and in 1997, the NATA 25-Year Award.

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Dean Adams, Inducted 1999

Dean Adams graduated in 1967 from Eastern Washington University, completing his MS the following year. He was the head athletic trainer at the University of Hawaii from 1968-1979. He then moved to the University of Oregon where he has been the head athletic trainer from 1980 to 2003. He retired in 2003 but continued to work part-time at University of Oregon until January of 2004. Dean was the initial NWATA Meeting Coordinator from 1982-1990. In 1997, he received the NATA 25-Year Award.

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Chuck Karnop, Inducted 1999

Chuck Karnop served as the head athletic trainer at Montana State University from 1968 to 2001. He provided MSU with 34 years of service. He graduated from Montana State University with his BS in 1963 and in 1967 he received his masters. He started his career as Assistant Professor at Dickenson North Dakota State College in 1967 and then moved back to Montana. Chuck has served as the Scholarship Chair, Licensure Committee Chairman, and as a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee in the Montana Athletic Trainers Association. From 1971 to 1996, he was the Director of Medical Service for the College National Finals Rodeo, (CNFR). He received the NATA Athletic Trainers Service Award in 1997.

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Robert Peterson, Inducted 1999

Robert “Bob” Peterson began his work under Carl Erickson, (who is also in the NATA Hall of Fame), at Northwestern University. He began in 1929 and worked at Northwestern until 1942 in which he was selected as the head trainer for Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He then went on as an athletic trainer at Indiana University, the University of California-Berkley and the University of Washington. Peterson, who is now retired, was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1981 and into the Northwest Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in 1999.

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Richard Irvin, Inducted 1999

Richard Irvin graduated with his BS from Slippery Rock in 1954. In 1958, he received his Physical Therapy Certificate from Ohio State University, then went on to Illinois State University and earned his MS in 1959. From 1967-1990, he developed and served as the curriculum director at Oregon State University while obtaining his EdD from the University of Oregon in 1974. He was one of the primary contributors of the original Certification Exam while serving on the National Certification Committee from 1970-1984. He is the co-author of "Sports Medicine", which the second edition was completed in 1998.

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Naseby Rhinehart, Inducted 1999

Naseby Rhinehart was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1967. He graduated from the University of Montana in 1935, and one month later he was asked by the head coach, Doug Fessenden, if he was interested in becoming UM's first athletic trainer. This was at a time when very few schools had full time athletic trainers, so a majority he had to learn on his own. In 1971, he was one of the first to develop a curriculum for athletic training. He was the head trainer at UM for 47 years until his retirement in 1982. He passed away in 1991 and in 1993 the university named the training room in his honor. The newly remodeled Rhinehart Athletic Treatment Center was finished in the fall of 1999.

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Mark Smaha, Inducted 1999

Mark Smaha, an Iowa native, started his career in 1967 at Iowa State University. After receiving his B.S. in 1970, he went on to Marshall University in West Virginia as the assistant athletic trainer. In 1970, a tragic airplane crash killed 75 people including Marshall's football team, athletic personnel, and boosters. This led Mark into assuming the responsibilities as the head trainer. There he finished his M.S. degree in 1972 and moved to the University of Washington to join a research team in studying athletic injuries at the high school level. While working for the University of Washington and Interlake High School as a teacher and athletic trainer, he co-authored a book on athletic training. Smaha later became the head athletic trainer for the University of Idaho in 1975, and then the head athletic trainer for Washington State University (1978), also to become the Director of Athletic Medicine. Mark's accomplishments also go on to include an officer in the NATA as Secretary/Treasurer of District 10 (NWATA) (1979), Director/President of NWATA (1982), member of the NATA Board of Directors (1982), Vice-President of the NATA (1986), President of the NATA (1988-1992),three Presidents Commendations for Life Saving Emergencies, a nomination for the NCAA Award of Valor (1982), Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (1994), and inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the Northwest Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame in 1998. Currently he is a consultant within his own company, MJS Communications.

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James Whitesel, Inducted 1999

James Whitesel received advanced degrees in sports medicine from the University of Washington and then went to Washington State University for two year as an assistant athletic trainer (1971-1972). From 1974-1976, he was the head trainer at Seattle Pacific University. In 1976, he became an athletic trainer for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was the head trainer there from 1983 to 1998. In 1988, Whitesel's staff was named NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year and in 1993, he received the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. His many accomplishments also include former member of the NATA Board of Directors as District 10 Director, the Secretary/Treasurer of the NATA Board, the public relations and governmental affairs committees of the NATA, and former president of the Washington State Athletic Trainers' Association, inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1998, and inducted in 1998 to the Northwest Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame. He is currently the owner of Whitesel Sports Medicine Inc. in Kirkland, WA.l received advanced degrees in sports medicine from the University of Washington and then went to Washington State University for two year as an assistant athletic trainer (1971-1972). From 1974-1976, he was the head trainer at Seattle Pacific University. In 1976, he became an athletic trainer for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was the head trainer there from 1983 to 1998. In 1988, Whitesel's staff was named NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year and in 1993, he received the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. His many accomplishments also include former member of the NATA Board of Directors as District 10 Director, the Secretary/Treasurer of the NATA Board, the public relations and governmental affairs committees of the NATA, and former president of the Washington State Athletic Trainers' Association, inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1998, and inducted in 1998 to the Northwest Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame. He is currently the owner of Whitesel Sports Medicine Inc. in Kirkland, WA.

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Gary Smith, Inducted 1999

Gary Smith has served as President of the NAIA Athletic Trainers Association and Membership Director of the NWATA. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1964 and received his masters from Indiana University in 1965.In 1965, he became a Charter Certified NATA member. Smith has been inducted into the Central Washington University Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame. He retired in 2000 as the head athletic trainer at Central Washington University where he had been since 1968.

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Gary Craner, Inducted 1999

Gary Craner was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1994. He began his career as a trainer for the California Angels Baseball Organization. As the first athletic trainer in Idaho to be certified by the NATA, Craner led the campaign for Idaho State licensure of athletic trainers. His many accomplishments come to include President of the Idaho Athletic Trainers' Association, President of the Idaho Association of Sports Medicine, Vice-President and then President of the Northwest Athletic Trainers Association, and a finalist for President of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. He has been the head athletic trainer at Boise State University since 1972.

 

 

Francis "Packey" Boyle, inducted 1998

Francis "Packey" Boyle, (1903-1972), was a Doctor of Osteopathy and the head of physiotherapy in Sun Valley, Idaho from 1936 to 1952. During this time he supervised the Olympic Ski Team with their training. In 1960, he was selected as an athletic trainer for the Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, California. Boyle was a trainer for the University of Arizona and then for the University of Idaho. He became a member of the North Idaho Hall of Fame, received the NATA 25-Year Award in 1965, was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1982, and in 1998 was inducted into the Northwest Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame. Boyle died in 1972 at the age of 69.

 

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