Our History
1979
The Illinois Athletic Trainers Association was officially formed at the NATA National Convention in St. Louis. Richard Hoover was elected President, and Jeff Sunderlin was elected Vice-President.
1980
On January 15, the first informational newsletter was published by editor Bill Kauth.
1981
Richard Hoover resigned as President, and Jeff Sunderlin took over the role.
On March 27 at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association meeting in LaCrosse, WI, there was a meeting to finalize the Constitution and Bylaws. Dues were set at $13 for athletic trainers, and $5 for students.
A Sports Medicine Seminar was held in St. Charles, IL.
1982
In March, Roger Kalisiak was elected President of the IATA.
In June, the IATA officially joined the Illinois Association of Allied Health Professionals.
In October, Roger Kalisiak and Rich Carey announced the incorporation of the IATA.
In November, Volume 1, Issue 1 of the official IATA newsletter was published.
A Sports Medicine Seminar was held in St. Charles, IL.
1983
The first IATA Winter Meeting was held at St. Charles High School on March 12th. Don Nielsen served as host.
The IATA Hall of Fame was being developed this year, with the first class to be inducted at the 1984 District Banquet.
At the end of the 1983 NATA Convention, IATA members Fred Fahey and James Sheehan were honored with 25 year NATA awards.
1984
The GLATA Annual Meeting was held in Schaumburg, IL.
The IATA State Meeting was held at St. Charles High School.
1985
On September 6th, Governor Jim Thompson signed the Illinois Athletic Training Practice Act into law. It would take effect January 1, 1986.
The IATA State Meeting was held at St. Charles High School.
1986
Mike Petty was elected President of the IATA.
The IATA State Meeting was held at St. Charles High School.
1987
The IATA State Meeting was held at St. Charles High School.
Pictured here are the 1987 inductees to the IATA Hall of Fame. From left to right: Bill Kauth, Bob Behnke, Dennis Aten, and Dr. Leonard Schroeder, D.C.
1988
Don Nielsen was elected President of the IATA.
Jerry Bell of the University of Illinois was elected President of the GLATA.
On March 5th, The IATA State Meeting was held at St. Charles High School.
1989
On March 4th, the IATA State Meeting was held at Naperville Central High School.
1990
Al Howard was elected President of the IATA.
On March 3rd, the IATA State Meeting was held at Naperville Central High School.
In June, at the opening of the American Medical Association's meeting in Chicago, the AMA recognized athletic training as an Allied Health Occupation.
1991
On March 14th-16th, The GLATA Annual Meeting was held in Rosemont, IL.
1992
Bill Hughes was elected President of the IATA.
On March 7th, the IATA State Meeting was held at Crystal Lake South High School.
1993
On March 6th, the IATA State Meeting was held at Crystal Lake South High School.
1994
Hal Hilmer was elected President of the IATA.
On May 14th, the IATA State Meeting was held at Wheaton-Warrenville South High School.
1995
On May 13th, the IATA State Meeting was held at Wheaton-Warrenville South High School.
House Bill #481 passed through the Senate and House of Representatives on May 17th, providing licensure for athletic trainers in the state of Illinois. It would be effective on January 1, 1996, when Governor Edgar signed it.
1996
Roger Kalisiak was elected President-Elect of GLATA in March.
Tony Garofalo was elected President of the IATA.
On May 11th, the IATA State Meeting was held at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
1997
On May 8th, the IATA State Meeting was held at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
1998
Bill Hughes was elected President of the GLATA.
Carol Humble was elected as the first female President of the IATA.
The GLATA Annual Meeting was held in St. Charles, IL. The IATA also held their State Meeting during this meeting.
On July 28th, the first annual Southern District AT Workshop was held.
1999
On November 6-7th, the IATA State Meeting was held at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center in Champaign, IL.
2000
Phil Voorhis was elected President of the IATA.
On November 11th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Clock Tower Resort & Convention Center in Rockford, IL.
2001
On November 10-11th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Wyndham Hotel Northwest in Itasca, IL.
2002
Ro Rittgers was elected President of the IATA.
On November 9-10th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria, IL.
2003
On November 15-16th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at Northern Illinois University's Naperville campus.
2004
Steve McInerney was elected President of the IATA.
Kathy Schneidwind, athletic trainer at Illinois State University, was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.
The GLATA Annual Meeting was held in Chicago, IL.
On November 13-14th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at Northern Illinois University's Naperville campus.
2005
Jerry Bell was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.
On November 12-13th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held in Naperville, IL.
2006
Tory Lindley was elected as President of the IATA.
On November 11-12th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville, IL.
2007
The GLATA Annual Meeting was held in St. Charles, IL.
On November 10-11th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Downtown Hilton in Springfield, IL.
2008
Mike Sullivan was elected as President of the IATA.
On November 8-9th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Hilton Lisle.
2009
On November 7-8th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Hilton Lisle.
2010
Mike Overturf was elected as President of the IATA.
On November 7-8th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Wyndham Hotel in Lisle, IL.
2011
On November 5-6th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Marriot in Normal, IL.
2012
Eric Streeter was elected President of the IATA.
Roger Kalisiak was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.
The GLATA Annual Meeting was held in Wheeling, IL for the first time, and would continue to be held there for the next 7 years.
On November 3-4th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Wyndham in Lisle, IL.
2013
On November 9-10th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Hilton in Springfield, IL.
2014
Mike Sullivan was elected President of the IATA.
On November 8-9th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Hilton in Lisle, IL.
2015
Brian Robinson was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.
On November 7-8th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Hilton in Springfield, IL.
2016
Matt Munjoy was elected as President of the IATA.
On November 11-13th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Hilton in Lisle, IL.
2017
Tory Lindley, athletic trainer at Northwestern University, was elected to President of the NATA.
On November 4-5th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Wyndham City Centre in Springfield, IL.
2018
Holly Odean-Carpenter was elected as President of the IATA.
On November 10-11th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at Embassy Suites in East Peoria, IL.
2019
On November 16-17th, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Embassy Suites Chicago-Naperville.
2020
Jordan Anderson was elected as President of the IATA.
On November 7-8th, due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IATA Annual Meeting was held virtually.
2021
On November 7th, due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IATA Annual Meeting was held virtually.
2022
On May 27th, Governor Pritzker signed HB4629 into law, which expanded the Illinois Athletic Training Practice Act. It would go into effect on January 1, 2023.
On June 10-12, the IATA Annual Meeting was held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL.
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