Honors & Awards

Hall of Fame Inductees

ROLAND 'DUKE' LaRUE - 1997

Duke LaRue spent over 20 years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln directing the Athletic Training Curriculum and Student Health Physical Therapy Department.

Duke earned his bachelor's degree from Buena Vista College in 1950, his master's degree from Wyoming in 1957, and his physical therapy certificate from Iowa in 1964.  LaRue started his professional career as a high school athletic trainer and teacher in Schleswig, Iowa.  He then went on to hold athletic training and physical therapy positions with Michigan State, Purdue University and Western Illinois University before coming to the Cornhusker state.

Duke served as an athletic therapist for U.S. Olympic teams at the Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan in 1972, and Lake Placid, New York in 1980.  LaRue was inducted into the NATA hall of Fame in 1990 and the MAATA Hall of Fame in 1995.  Duke received the NSATA's George F. Sullivan Athletic Trainer of the Year Award in 1993 and honored with the 20 Years of Service Award in 1997.

LaRue served on many committees on the state, district and national levels over the years including the Nebraska Athletic Trainers' State Board of Licensure.

PAUL J. SCHNEIDER - 1997

One of the more colorful personalities in Nebraska athletic history, 'Schnitz', as he was known to thousands of Cornhuskers, served on the University of Nebraska medical staff as athletic trainer for 33 years before his retirement in 1981.

Schneider received his degree from UNL in 1952.  In 1956, he was made a lifetime member of the Nebraska Coaches Association for his service to high school athletics.  He received the NATA's 25 Year Service Award in 1975 and the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame Merit Award in 1978.  In 1985, Schneider received the highest honor available to an athletic trainer, and was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.

Schnitz's many contributions to the profession at the collegiate and high school levels helped pave the way for the new generation of athletic trainers today.

GEORGE F. SULLIVAN - 1997

For well over forty years, George 'Sully' Sullivan has tended to University of Nebraska athletes.  Sullivan, who received his bachelor and master degrees from UNL and his physical therapy degree from Iowa, first began working in the Husker athletic training room as a part-time athletic training student in 1949.

Among his many contributions and honors, the U.S. Olympic Committee selected Sullivan to serve as athletic trainer for the 1959 and 1962 Pan Am Games.  He was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1976.  In 1984, Sullivan was presented with the M.E. Sacksteder Award by the Nebraska State Physical Therapy Association for outstanding contributions in the field.  In 1988, he received the American Medical Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine's Distinguished Service Award.  Sullivan received the inaugural and 1994 Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, which now carries his name.  Also in 1994, Sullivan received the coveted inaugural Tim Kerin Award for Excellence in Athletic Training, sponsored by Gatorade and the NATA.  Sully was then inducted into the MAATA Hall of Fame in 1995.

Sullivan has been an active speaker throughout the nation for groups such as the AMA, NATA, APTA, and State Coaches Associations in the Midwest.  Sullivan has been active at the state, district and national membership associations and served to establish athletic training licensure and the Nebraska Athletic Trainers' State Board of Licensure.

WAYNE WAGNER - 1997

Wayne Wagner served the filed of athletic training as a teacher and athletic trainer for 41 years.  He published articles in the Journal of Athletic Training and served as the site administrator and proctor for the Board of Certification Exam for more than a decade.

Wayne started at Omaha University upon his discharge from the Army Air Corp.  He was a student in the College of Education and played on the football team.  He was injured his sophomore year and the team physician recognized his work ethic and encouraged him to stay on as athletic trainer as there was no staff athletic trainer for the University at that time.

Upon graduation from Omaha University in 1955, Wayne stayed at the University for one year until he accepted a job at Westside High School in Omaha, as a teacher/athletic trainer.  In 1957, he joined the NATA and continued his work at Westside until 1967.  Wagner returned to Omaha University as an assistant professor/athletic trainer.  In 1968, he attended Indiana University to receive his Master's degree in Health and Safety with a Major in Athletic Training.  Wayne returned to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, formerly Omaha University, until 1985.

Wayne found himself at Creighton University for five years until 1990 when he was given the opportunity to set up the Sports Medicine Program of his dreams at Methodist Hospital in Omaha.  He remained full-time with Methodist until his retirement in 1995.

KATHY ENGLISH -

Kathy English has administered the athletic training program at the University of Nebraska-Kearney since 1981.  English received her undergraduate education degree from Southeast Community College (1976), and Kearney State College (1979), and her Master's degree from Eastern Illinois University (1980). She then returned to Kearney, Nebraska and the UNK.  From 1981-1993, English served as head athletic trainer and lecturer.  English was responsible for providing athletic training services for 16 NCAA II sports, administered the athletic training program, and served as a faculty member.  English presently serves as the Clinical Coordinator for UNK's Athletic Training Education Program.

English is an active member of the NATA, MAATA, and charter member of the NSATA.  She has served as a Board of Certification Examiner and the State of Nebraska Department of Health with honorary memberships to Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Eta Sigma.  In 1989, English received the George F. Sullivan Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.

She served as Chair of the MAATA College/University Student Athletic Trainer Committee from 1989-1993.

English has coordinated medical coverage for NCAA II Wrestling and Cross Country meets, as well as Women's National Basketball Tournaments and National Indoor Track meets.  English has also lectured on medical emergencies in athletics, and athletic emergencies and the emergency responder.  English's most recent project is to coordinate and direct the high school outreach athletic training programs with the goal of providing on-site fall athletic event coverage and meeting health care needs for area high school athletes.

When English began her career in athletic training, the profession had very few female role models.  She has been one of the pioneering women in athletic training for the state of Nebraska and District V.  She has been very influential in promoting women in athletic training through the image she portrays.

English is married to Dana English, and they have four children:  Georgia, Ashley, Lindsey and Lance.