UW's Lyons named to NATA Hall of Fame

Bill Lyons, athletic training curriculum director at the University of Wyoming, has been honored by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), by being inducted to the NATA Hall of Fame.

"It is a special honor to be recognized at the highest level," said Lyons. "It is a unique award and its nice to be recognized by my peers."

Before becoming the director of the Athletic Training Education Program at UW, Lyons was the head athletic trainer from 1983 to 2001. He now teaches and administrates the CAATE Athletic Training Curriculum Program. He received his b.s. degree in health physical education and recreation from the University of Wyoming in 1973, and then completed his NATA-BOC certification in 1974.

"In the practice of athletic training the greatest thing to see is an injured athlete be able to return to the field of play. In the classroom, I take great pride at graduation when I see a group of seniors walk across and receive their diplomas," Lyons said.

Professionally, Lyons has been very active within the state, regional and national athletic trainer associations. He has served on the National Athletic Training Board of Directors, President and Secretary of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association Inc., and President of the Wyoming Athletic Trainers Association. Lyons was named 2006 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer at the NATA convention, and is also a member of the RMATA Hall of Fame.

Lyons is one of five trainers joining the 2009 class. Lyons joins former Wyoming trainer Jack Aggers, who was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1983.