Associate Dean Ky Kugler named Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer

Ky E. Kugler, Ph.D., Ed.D., senior associate dean in the College of Educational Studies, has been selected as one of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s 2015 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer (MDAT) award recipients.

The Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award recognizes NATA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, advocacy and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer. MDAT exclusively recognizes NATA members who have been involved in service and leadership activities at the national and district level.

This award acknowledges outstanding dedication and service to the athletic training profession. Candidates for the award must have held the certified athletic trainer (ATC) credential, conferred by the Board of Certification, and have been an NATA member, both for at least 20 years.

“We are always excited to recognize the dedication, excellence, inspirational outlook and commitment of our honorees, and this year is no exception. These recipients serve as role models to their peers and represent some of the best of the best of the athletic training profession,” said NATA Honors and Awards Committee Chair Chuck Kimmel, ATC. “We know they will continue to contribute to their place of work and their community at large in ensuring quality of care and optimal health moving into the years ahead.”

Kugler was appointed as an associate professor and the program director of Chapman University’s athletic training education program in 2001. He led the Chapman program through its initial national accreditation in 2004 and re-accreditation efforts that resulted in the program being awarded continuing accreditation for a 10-year period by the Commission on Athletic Training Education (CAATE) in 2009.

Kugler was appointed as assistant dean of undergraduate education and launched the integrated educational studies (IES) major in 2009 and moved to his current position as associate dean and professor of the CES in June 2010.

The award presentation will be made during
NATA’s 66th Clinical Symposia
and AT Expo in St. Louis on June 25.