By Jeff Murphy,
April 17, 2018
WARRENSBURG, MO – After earning state recognition in 2017 as Missouri Athletic Trainer
of the Year by the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association (MoATA), University of
Central Missouri faculty member Brian Hughes’s efforts to serve and advance his profession
has resulted in recognition on a multi-state level.
Hughes was one of three individuals with UCM connections who were recognized during
the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA) annual Honor and Awards Banquet
March 16 in Omaha, Neb. Hughes received the Service Award, which honors MAATA members
for their distinctive contributions to the athletic training profession at the local,
state and district levels. Also recognized at the banquet was MAATA Professional Scholarship
recipient Holly Nelson, who is currently a UCM junior athletic training major; MAATA
Hall of Fame inductee, John R. Donnell, who graduated with a Master of Science in
Athletic Training degree in 1977 from UCM; and MAATA Post-Professional Scholarship
recipient Paden Maudlin, who received a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree
from UCM in 2017 .
Hughes, who has worked as a faculty member at UCM since 2001, serves as professor
of athletic training and director of the Athletic Training program in the College
of Health, Science and Technology. His contributions to the field of athletic training
and its professional service organization are numerous. This is the fifth consecutive
year Hughes has chaired the MAATA annual meeting, which this year was attended by
nearly 800 people. He has chaired the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)
professional development committee and the NATA Educators’ Conference committee, served
as the meeting coordinator and education conference committee for MAATA and has been
active with the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association (MoATA), having hosted several
state meetings.
At UCM, Hughes has played a significant role in developing curriculum and maintaining
standards leading to accreditation of the UCM program in 2006 by the Commission on
the Accreditation of Athletic Training Programs. He currently teachers courses in
athletic training, orthopedic assessment and professional development, and serves
as program advisor for UCM students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
degrees.
In recognizing Nelson, it was noted that she currently carries a 3.72 GPA, and although
her main study is in athletic training, she also is working toward a bachelor’s degree
in physical education with a concentration in exercise science and minors in sport
management and coaching. She is interested in teaching and working with children.
Nelson gains experience in this area by working in child care for her church and serving
as a coach for a local youth swim teach. She volunteers with community outreach through
the university and is active in UCM’s Athletic Training Student Association and the
Athletic Training Program Selection Committee.
As a Hall of Fame inductee, Donnell received MAATA’s highest honor. His athletic training
career began in 1978 covering various campus and sporting events at many levels while
working as a high school instructor and coach. He became an athletic trainer/instructor
at Blue Springs High School in 1986, and took the same type of position the following
year at Lee’s Summit High School (LSHS). Although he retired from LSHS in 2004, Donnell
went on to become an athletic trainer/instructor for William Jewell College, where
he served until 2009, and is currently an athletic trainer for Raytown High School.
Extremely involved in his profession, Donnell has covered many events that include
U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball and Wrestling, National Bullriders’ Association competitions,
U.S. Olympic Training Center events, Show-Me Games, and much more. He has held numerous
leadership positions for NATA and MAATA, and has been honored with many awards. This
includes NATA’s Service Award in 2015 and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award
in 2016.
Maudlin is a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Northwest Missouri State University,
having graduated from UCM with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training. While at
UCM, he worked with numerous athletic teams and participated in a summer internship
with the Denver Broncos. He served for two years on the Student Leadership Committee
at UCM, and twice received the Dr. Ronald VanDam Athletic Training Student Scholarship.
At NWMSU, he currently serves as the primary athletic trainer for softball and assisted
with college football in the fall. He is pursuing a master’s degree in health and
physical education and will obtain his teaching certificate upon completion of his
graduate program at NWMSU.
The MAATA is an organization with a mission that includes enhancing the professional
and leadership abilities of its members who serve in the athletic training profession
by providing encouragement, mentorship and improvement opportunities.
