CHESTER, Pa. (Conference News) – Widener's Head Athletic Trainer A.J. Duffy, III is set to take over the National Athletic Trainers' Association as President-Elect.
The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents athletic trainers and athletic training students around the world. Within the association are highly skilled and dedicated professional who specialize in injury and illness prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports and work. NATA was founded in 1950 with over 45,000 members today.
Duffy will begin his presidency in June of 2024 at the NATA Annual Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in New Orleans. During the meantime, Duffy will shadow current NATA President Kathy Dieringer.
"I am humbled and honored to serve and the President-Elect of the National Athletic Trainers' Association," Duffy said. "I have the opportunity over the next 18 months to learn from the best in our current president Dr. Kathy Dieringer. Thanks to President Stacey Robertson, Jack Shafer, Larissa Gillespie, Chris Carideo, and my assistants Rachel Kennedy and Bre Lewis. I know that I will not only represent the NATA but Widener and the MAC. I would be remiss not to thank my wife Monica for her support and being there with me every step of the way."
Duffy currently is in his second term as the chair of the MAC Athletic Trainers Committee.
"On behalf of the MAC membership and the MAC office, I want to congratulate AJ on his appointment," said Megan Morrison, MAC Executive Director. "He is a steadfast advocate for his student-athlete health and well-being and will be an asset to NATA in a leadership role."
As part of the Widener staff since 1990, Duffy has set the standard for athletic training at Widener. He has been the longest tenured head athletic trainer in college or professional sports in the Philadelphia area and has developed relationships with thousands of student athletes. Duffy has successfully implemented his vision for the athletic training room, which he has called home for the past 33 years.
Outside of Widener athletics, Duffy has been an active member in the AT world. Duffy has "always felt it is important to give back to the student athletes, but most importantly the profession that I love and the Widener administration has encouraged me to do so." He has served in various elected positions since 1993, most recently as a Board of Directors for the NATA Research & Education Foundation in June of 2022. From 2015 to 2020 he served on the Board of Directors for NATA and the NATA Treasurer for District 2 between 2012 and 2015. He was also the President of the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association and the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society.
Duffy has received a plethora of awards for his years of service and excellence. His most notable awards include the 2002 NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award and the 2011 Division III Head Athletic Trainer of the Year from NATA. Duffy was inducted into the PA Athletic Trainers' Hall of Fame in June of 2015 and the EATA 49' Club in January of 2022.
Prior to Widener, Duffy returned to his alma mater, the University of Michigan, from 1984 to 1990 to serve as an assistant athletic trainer. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1980 from the University of Michigan, his masters degree a year later from the University of Arizona, and his Physical Therapy Certificate from Drexel University in 1984.
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