June 18, 2008

DeKalb, Ill.--Northern Illinois University Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Phil Voorhis, will receive one of 35 Athletic Trainer Service Awards this week at the National Athletic Trainers' Association's (NATA) annual meeting and clinical symposia in St. Louis, Missouri.

Voorhis will be one of approximately 35 individuals out of over 30,000 NATA members to be honored with the Athletic Trainer Service Award. The Service Award recognizes NATA members for their contributions to the athletic training profession and the association. This award is a national honor, however it focuses on state, district, and local service. Voorhis was a prime candidate for the award because of his community volunteerism, participation, and leadership at the state and district levels.

Voorhis, who begins his 20th year with the Huskies in 2008, has volunteered his services for the Illinois Athletic Training Association, the Regional Great Lakes Athletic Training Association, the local American Red Cross, multiple universities, and even at the United States Olympic Training Center. He played a key role for the NIU athletic department in the aftermath of the February 14 shootings on the NIU campus as he helped ensure that counseling services were readily available to Huskie student-athletes and athletics staff.

In speaking about his profession, Voorhis, said, "I love working with the student-athletes, but above all else I love being an educator. I am an educator to both my student-athletes as well as my undergraduate athletic trainers."

With principles like these, it is no shock to discover that to Voorhis, being a recipient of the Athletic Trainer Service Award is just another day on the job. "Obviously, it's an honor, and it feels good to be recognized for what you do--but that's not why you do it" says Voorhis.

Voorhis, who leads the NIU athletic training staff, was inducted into the IATA (Illinois Athletic Training Association) Hall of Fame last November 14 in Springfield, Illinois.

Similar to the Hall of Fame honors, the NATA award also requires 15 years as a certified member of the NATA in good standing. While 15 years may seem like a retiring-point for some, not for Voorhis, who looks forward to continuing his career of service to Huskie student-athletes and future athletic trainers in the state of Illinois for years to come.

-NIU-