Celebration of Athletic Training

Colorado Athletic Trainers' Association

CELEBRATION OF ATHLETIC TRAINING DINNER AND AUCTION

It is hard to put into words or to clearly express what the board of directors felt during and after our Celebration of Athletic Training Saturday, September 24, 2005 at Invesco Field at Mile High. Relief, excitement, joy, gratitude, so many emotions were there. Some of us were in such a fog it is hard to remember what we felt, if anything. J

The board of directors worked for six months in the planning of this event. It was the largest, undertaking the board ever undertook. When we began the planning we knew we were biting off a lot, but as we got going, it became VERY apparent that this was a HUGE undertaking. In the end it was all worth it. The night was better than any of us could have imagined.

We celebrated what and who athletic trainers are. Often times the athletic trainers are willing to help organize events that celebrate OTHER professions and OTHER’S accomplishments. It took a significant change of our in-grained mindset of being behind the scenes and NEVER having the spotlight on us. This was a chance to celebrate us.

Next the event was a chance to present Steve Antonopulos with his Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame award. He was unavailable to accept his award in April in Phoenix, he was working. There is some significant irony, unable to attend an event to celebrate your career and accomplishments because you are working.

Mr. Antonopulos also gave the keynote speech for the evening. He spoke of the people who have touched him over his 30 years in the NFL. During his talk Mr. Antonopulos showed an emotional side that not too many people have seen of him; he also shared many humorous stories and had the crowd of nearly 400 laughing out loud. Colorado is lucky to have such a fantastic member.

Lastly, but DEFINITELY NOT LEAST, the evening was a fundraiser for the legislative efforts of the CATA. It has always been the hope of the board of directors to raise funds for the cause in other means than just asking members to donate. Both Jim Gillen and Steve Antonopulos urged us to hold an event featuring silent auctions of sports memorabilia. They each had participated in like events, and had seen groups raise significant funds for various causes.

The night was a TREMENDOUS success and I would like to thank all of the legislative task force members, board of directors and professional athletic trainers who helped to make the night so wonderful.

Through the past two years I have spoken to several other state presidents, and district board members and heard about how other states athletic trainer associations are run. I honestly believe that the success of our Celebration of Athletic Training focused our energy and showed that we can be and will be one of the BEST state athletic training associations.