Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society Hall of Fame

The Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society Hall of Fame is dedicated to the pioneers of our profession in the state of Kansas, and to our colleagues who have served the profession, their patients, workplaces, and the state of Kansas, with distinction.

KATS Hall of Fame Requirements & Application


KATS Hall of Fame Inductees

HOF - Lawrence "Porky" Morgan

Lawrence “Porky” Morgan

1997 Posthumous

HOF - Charles “Chuck” Cramer

Charles “Chuck” Cramer

1997 Posthumous

HOF - Frank Cramer

Frank Cramer

1997 Posthumous

HOF - Tom Reeves

Tom Reeves

1997 Posthumous

HOF - Doc Needham

Doc Needham

1997 Posthumous

HOF - Dean “Deaner” Nesmith

Dean “Deaner” Nesmith

1997 Posthumous

HOF - Al Ortolani

Al Ortolani

1998

HOF - John Baxter

John Baxter

2005

HOF - Jim Sperry

Jim Sperry

2005 Posthumous

HOF - Lynn Bott

Lynn Bott

2006

HOF - Steve Barrett

Steve Barrett, MS, LAT, ATC

2013

HOF - Brad Parry

Brad Parry

2014

HOF - Rex Schott

Rex Schott

2017

HOF - Amy Cahill

Amy Cahill

2018

HOF - Shawna Jordan

Shawna Jordan

2018

HOF - Rich Bomgardner

Rich Bomgardner

2021

HOF - John Burns

John Burns 

2022

HOF - Mark Padfield

Mark Padfield

2022

HOF - Wayne Harmon

Wayne Harmon

2023

Lawrence “Porky” Morgan

1997 Posthumous

Head Athletic Trainer at Kansas State University from 1951 until his death in 1980. He fell ill while covering a K-State vs. Colorado basketball game.

Porky Morgan served as Athletic Trainer at St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa, in 1939, at the Citadel in 1940, and again at St. Ambrose from 1949-51. He was also the Athletic Trainer for the Tri-City Blackhawks Basketball team from 1949-50 and for the United States Pan American Games Team in 1967.

He served as a NATA District 5 officer, and as President of the NATA.

Morgan was veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II from 1941-46, and was discharged as a Captain. He was a native of Moline, Illinois.

Charles “Chuck” Cramer

1997 Posthumous

As a pole vaulter and pharmacy student at Kansas University in 1912, Gardner, Kansas, native Chuck Cramer formulated a liniment to treat his own sprained ankle. He later bought the drug store in Gardner. As a sideline, he prepared the liniment he had invented and sold it to local athletic teams. This venture became so successful, that he started Cramer Chemical Co. in Gardner in 1920.

Cramer was a founding member of the NATA, and was one of five Athletic Trainers (including brother Frank Cramer), at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Frank Cramer

1997 Posthumous

Frank Cramer attended the University of Kansas. Following his time at K.U., Frank entered the building supply business until 1929 when he moved back to his native Gardner, Kansas, to help his brother Chuck run the recently founded Cramer Chemical Company.

He was one of five Athletic Trainers (including brother Chuck Cramer) at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. For sixteen years, he served on the Medical Committee of the United States Olympics to select Athletic Trainers and Physicians.

In June, 1960, the NATA elected Frank Cramer as their first honorary member. He was a veteran of World War I and was discharged a First Lieutenant.

Tom Reeves

1997 Posthumous

Assistant and Head Athletic Trainer at Wichita State University from 1962-70. In 1970 he died in the aftermath of an airplane crash which claimed the lives of most of the Wichita State Football Team.

Football players who survived the crash tell how the badly burned, 31-year-old Reeves lead them down the side of the mountain where the plane had crashed, talking and joking the whole time in order to keep their minds off of the tragedy they had just experienced.

Reeves was a native of Concordia, Kansas, before attending Wichita State where he earned his Bachelor of Arts. Tom immediately assumed the Assistant Athletic Trainer position, and eventually became Head Athletic Trainer.

Doc Needham

1997 Posthumous

Doc Needham was the Head Athletic Trainer at Wichita State University from 1945-58, when he died following a stroke suffered while covering a basketball game between Wichita State and Oregon State.

He was the Athletic Trainer for the Class A Wichita Indians for two seasons.

Dean “Deaner” Nesmith

1997 Posthumous

Dean Nesmith was the Head Athletic Trainer at The University of Kansas from 1938-83. He died of cancer in 1985. His tenure was the longest of any Big 8 Athletic Trainer.

He was a three-year football letterman for the Jayhawks and played one year of professional football for the old New York Yankees before completing his degree at K.U. In 1937.

The Belleville, Kansas, native was the Athletic Trainer for the 1960 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team and for the Big 8 All-Star Basketball team which toured Yugoslavia in 1974.

Al Ortolani

1998

Al Ortolani was Head Athletic Trainer at Pittsburg State University from 1955 until his retirement in 1995, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Pittsburg prior to becoming Head Athletic Trainer.

Al was Athletic Trainer for three U.S. Olympic Swim Teams in 1976, 1980, and 1984. He was also an athletic trainer to the U.S. Team at the World University Games, Pan Am Games, World Cup, and World Championships. He also served as athletic trainer for many other major swim events.

Ortolani was Pittsburg’s first full time baseball coach from 1962-72, winning conference championships in 1965 and 1966. He earned the Central Intercollegiate Conference “Coach of the Year” award in 1965.

Al Ortolani is a retired member of the Joint Commission on Competitive Safeguards and the Medical Aspects of Sports.

John Baxter

2005

John Baxter has been the Head Athletic Trainer at Emporia State University since 1966. Prior to his time at Emporia, he was a teacher and coach at Garfield High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and prior to that, an assistant athletic trainer at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

John is a past president of the Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society. He has been strongly involved in the legislative credentialing effort for athletic trainers in the State of Kansas. Baxter has also been the recipient of numerous professional honors, including multiple awards presented by the NATA, The Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association, the NAIA, Emporia State University, and numerous recognitions by civic groups and teachers’ organizations.

Jim Sperry

2005 Posthumous

Jim Sperry was instrumental in the legislative effort that would lead to Registration for athletic trainers in the State of Kansas. He was a past president of the Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Kansas Physician Assistant Academy and was appointed by the Governor to the Kansas Athletic Training Council from 1995-2000.

Jim worked closely with Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas,, as a certified athletic trainer. He earned a BHS in Physician Assistant in 1984, from Wichita State University. His strong sense of professional responsibility would lead him to work tirelessly in the legislative arena in the interests of both athletic trainers and physician’s assistants.

Jim’s life was ended tragically in a February 2000 in a single car accident while driving home from serving as an examiner for the NATABOC National Certification Exam.

Lynn Bott

2006

At the present, Lynn Bott is the Head Athletic Trainer at Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas. Prior to coming to Baker University in 2005, Lynn served the University of Kansas first as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and then as the Director of Athletic Trainer Services from 1976-2004.

Lynn has been extremely involved professionally on the state, district and national levels. He has served as President of the Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society, and the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association. At the national level, Lynn served on the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Directors as the District 5 Director. He was honored in 2005 by the NATA with the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Athletic trainers in the State of Kansas will always be indebted to Lynn for his hard work and dedication in helping get legislation passed allowing for the registration of athletic trainers in Kansas. Having lived and worked nearly his entire life in Kansas, Lynn has been instrumental in promoting the profession of athletic training in the State of Kansas throughout his professional career.

Steve Barrett, MS, LAT, ATC

2013

Steve served as President of the Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society and has held many offices and chaired many committees at the state and district level including MAATA Board of Directors. During his term as the KATS president, he was instrumental in the legislative effort that licensed athletic trainers in the State of Kansas in April 2005, established two KATS scholarships, and organized EMS Seminars as fundraisers to promote the athletic training profession. He is also a member of the Kansas Concussion Partnership. Steve received the Kansas State Educational Excellence Award in 1990, Outstanding Faculty Award in 1991, NISOD Master Teacher Excellence Award in 1992 and was the 2006 KATS Athletic Trainer of the Year. Steve was inducted into the Broncbuster Hall of Fame at Garden City Community College in 2010 and the Mid America Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2017. Steve was a recipient of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Service Award in 2013 and has served as a member of the NATA since 1980. Many young high school students have become interested in our profession through the longest running Student Athletic Training Camp in Kansas which Steve began and has held annually since 1987.

Steve Barrett received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Creighton University in 1984 and completed his Master of Science degree from Indiana State University with a specialization in Athletic Training. Steve’s athletic training career began in 1984 as an Athletic Trainer with West Vigo High School, before accepting the Head Athletic Trainer and Associate Professor position at Saint Joseph College in 1985. After two years at Saint Joseph, Steve served as the Head Athletic Trainer, Wellness Director, and Instructor at Garden City Community College for six years before joining Dr. Michael Baughman in starting Sandhilll Orthopaedic & Sportsmedicine in 1993, where he served as Director of Rehabilitation & Athletic Training for twenty years. Steve served as the Clinic Manager at Kansas Orthopeadic Center at Sandhill for two years, then moved to St. Catherine Hospital, where he continues to work as the Sports Medicine Supervisor.

Brad Parry

2014

Brad was instrumental in working with the Kansas Legislature to move athletic trainers from registration to licensure in 2004. Brad served on the KATS Executive Board for over 9 years from 2003-11, as the Member at Large, President-Elect, President and Past President. He was also named the KATS Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2008.

Brad received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Emporia State University in 1983 with Magna Cum Laude Honors. Following his undergraduate training, Brad was accepted to the University of Arizona where he received his Master of Science with emphasis in Athletic Training in 1984. Since graduation he has become a published author in the sports medicine field and has been a clinical preceptor with Washburn University for over a decade. Brad’s strong sense of professional responsibility lead him to work tirelessly for the State of Kansas in the legislative arena, and as a mentor for future athletic training professionals.

Rex Schott

2017

Rex started his athletic trainer career after being injured playing football at Derby High School (DHS) in 1963. He began learning about athletic training reading Cramer Chemical Companies Student Trainer Manual. He then attended Wichita State University (WSU) in 1965 as an athletic training student and lettered on the track team. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1970 and joined the Army Reserves. While on active duty he was notified his mentor and boss, Tom Reeves, was killed in the plane crash of the WSU Football Team in October 1970.

Rex was then hired as the Head Athletic Trainer for WSU in February of 1971 where he continued to work for both the men’s and women’s athletic teams and teaching in the physical education department until 1989.

In 1976 Rex began helping Derby High school covering athletic events and working with their athletic teams when he was available. In 1989 Rex began working for the Army Reserves as a civil service employee and continued to be the athletic trainer for Derby HS.

In 1995 Rex was hired by Via Christi-St Francis Hospital to manage their newly formed Sports Medicine Outreach Program. He supervised five athletic trainers who covered 10 high schools and other athletic events.

In 1996 Rex was hired by Derby Family Med Center as the Director of Derby Sports Rehab and Therapy where he supervised 4 physical therapists and continued to work as the Athletic Trainer for Derby HS.

Rex currently is the Director of the Derby Family Med Center Sports Medicine Outreach Program and Athletic Trainer for Derby HS.

During Rex’s 50 plus years of athletic training he has had the opportunity to work on committees for KATS including helping write the by-laws of KATS when the organization was forming. He was Chairman of the Reimbursement Committee for KATS.

He was a member of the Curriculum Committee Department of Health Physical Education and Recreation at WSU. Also, was a Member of the Board of Directors WSU Letterman’s Club and Vice President.

He has done numerous speaking engagements on athletic training and physical education to include speaking at KAHPERD State Conventions and Coaches Conventions.

Rex has had the opportunity to work with both the men’s and women’s Olympic Volleyball teams, Olympic gymnasts from Bella Karoli’s Gymnastic Club. He has hosted numerous athletic training workshops to include meetings for KATS.

Rex has been a NATA Certification Examiner, worked as a volunteer at NATA Conventions, is a published author in the physical education and athletic training field.

Rex has been a preceptor for Southwestern College and Wichita State University since 2004.

Earned his master’s degree Magna Cum Laude in Sports Administration 1987 WSU.

While doing his athletic training duties, Rex continued with a career in the Army Reserves and retired as a Colonel after 38 years of service, receiving numerous awards including the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal. He is a very active member of the Derby Presbyterian Church.

Rex has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association since 1969, member of the Mid America Athletic Trainers Association since 1974 and Kansas Athletic Trainers Society since 1979.

Amy Cahill

2018

Amy Cahill has been an athletic trainer in Kansas her entire professional career. As an athletic trainer she has been very involved within the Kansas Athletic Trainers' Society serving in elected and non-elected roles beginning in 1995 as a member of the KATS Promotions Task Force. Since 1995 she has served as KATS Secretary, President-Elect, President, and Past-President. In all of her roles combined she has served KATS for 14 years, sat on MAATA and NATA based committees for another 8 years. During her time on the KATS Executive Board she was instrumental in planning multiple KATS Symposiums, the state-wide EMS Educational Seminars, and presented at numerous sports medicine and nursing seminars. She currently serves on the MAATA Financial Task Force, Hall of Fame and Honors and Awards Committees. In her professional role she has served as an AT in a physician's office and is now the Sports Medicine Fellowship and Family Medicine Residency Coordinator for Via Christi Sports Medicine in Wichita. In this role she has helped develop many team and supervising physicians in the state of Kansas by providing the athletic trainer's role and perspective to their educational training. Amy lives in Wichita with her husband, Dan, who is the Head Athletic Trainer at Wichita State University, and their three children.

Shawna Jordan

2018

Shawna Jordan, Ph.D. is assistant dean for students in the College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University and assistant professor in athletic training. She developed the undergraduate athletic training degree program at Kansas State University in 2000 and served as the program director for 13 years. Shawna has worked with athletes at both the high school and collegiate levels during her career. She has received the Presidential Award for Advising and the Presidential Award for Teaching from Kansas State University.

Shawna has served a large role within KATS for many years as the Student Leadership Council Advisor, Symposium committee, quiz bowl director, and currently serving as the KATS Practice Act Task Force chair. She has been a representative of our state at the district level for presentations and volunteer roles and at the national level as a CAATE site visitor and a reviewer for the NATA Educator's Conference. Shawna has always had a hand in the student experience for our members. Shawna's passion is helping students from their first contact with Kansas State University through graduation and beyond. She is known as one who encourages, challenges, and helps students see their true potential not only as future professionals, but also as contributing citizens to their communities. Shawna accomplishes this through academic advising, leadership development, international and diversity experiences to develop the next generation of athletic trainers. With Shawna's passion for impacting athletic training students at Kansas State she has had a direct hand in impacting the profession in our state.

Rich Bomgardner

2021

Dr. Rich Bomgardner has been the Athletic Training Program Director at Wichita State University for the past 19 years.  His professional career in athletic training has spanned over 30 years, including 12 years as a Head Athletic Trainer in the college setting for Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM, Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX, and 2 years minor league baseball with the New York Mets Organization.  His research interests focuses on post-concussion return-to- learn (RTL) polices and school/classroom management strategies.  Dr. Bomgardner has published on the national and regional level and has presented at conferences ranging from local to international as well as worked on concussion legislation efforts in Kansas.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education/Athletic Training from Wichita State, a Master of Science degree in Health and Human Performance from Fort Hays State, and a Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

John Burns 

2022

John Burns is currently a Senior Lecture in the Kinesiology department at Washburn University since 2020.  He has held many different positions within the Washburn University Kinesiology department and Athletic Training Program since 2003.  John graduated from Washburn University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education/AT in 1992 and earned his Master’s in Science in 1994 from the University of Arizona in Exercise Science/Athletic Training.  As a long standing NATA member and advocate for the athletic training profession, John has served on committees at the state and district level. He has been active with KATS on the GAC committee, AT Council for KSBHA, MAATA Honors & Awards Committee Chair, BOC exam test writer, CAATE site visitor, Medical Director for the Sunflower State Games, to name a few.  John has been awarded the NATA Service Award in 2020, Kansas Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2011 and 2017, and a finalist for the NATA William T. Griffin Award for Outstanding Leadership in Legislative Advocacy in 2015.  As a faculty member of an accredited athletic training program for 17+ years, he has had exponential impact on the profession of today.  As an educator and athletic trainer, he has presented on topics about injury prevention, first aid, and many other topics to community organizations. He is a true believer in the value of service and the community he supports.

Mark Padfield

2022

Mark Padfield has been the outreach athletic trainer at Tonganoxie High School since 2005 and teaches as the At Risk Student Coordinator at Tonganoxie High School since 2007.  Earning his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with a Concentration in English from Kansas State University in 1998 and his Masters of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 2003 from Emporia State University; he has made lasting impacts in the athletic training profession ever since.  Mark has been an active NATA member since 2003, serving on multiple committees and positions across the state of Kansas, district and national level. In the state of Kansas, he has held the Public Relations representative, President-Elect, President, and Past-President positions since 2009.  Currently he is on the District 5 Hall of Fame elections committee and KATS Honors and Awards chair. Mark also serves as a Big 12 Football Medical Observer for the University of Kansas since 2020 and an NFL AT Spotter for the Kansas City Chiefs since 2018. 

Mark Padfield has dedicated countless hours to providing the best care possible to his student-athletes, educating and being a mentor and role model not only to the athletic training students learning about the profession, but also to his high school students during the school day.  Mark is known for his sense of humor, relatability, and dedication to the profession.  He is always willing to speak to a group of athletic trainers, coaches, students, athletic training students, etc.  He has presented on many topics ranging from Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer to Current Care Management in Spine Injured Football Players.  Mark has received multiple awards from the National, District and State level, including KATS Athletic Trainer of the Year, Dr. Denis “Izzy” Isbrow Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award, Gatorade Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year for District 5 and more.  His service, mentorship, and advocacy has impacted the profession in such a way that it leaves for a better tomorrow.

Wayne Harmon

2023

Wayne Harmon, is the athletic trainer for Olathe North High school since 2001 and has been an adjunct instructor since 2004.  He helped develop the Sports Medicine & Exercise Science Academy in the Olathe School district and became the Sports Med instructor for the 21st Century Academy.  Wayne graduated from Wichita State University with his Bachelor’s degree in 1982, received his Master’s degree in Human Resource Development in 1998 and has been an NATA member since he was a student in 1979.  Wayne has worked in a variety of settings, including the minor baseball leagues, collegiate and high school settings.  In his time as an adjunct instructor for the Sports Medicine Academy, he has mentored over 20 years of students in the athletic training profession, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, paramedic, nursing, and medical school.  He has been an active member on the 21st Century Academy advisory board for 21 years and has traveled to places such as Seattle and Pasadena for sports medicine program competitions with his students. Wayne has spent countless hours providing care his student-athletes, educating the sports medicine students, and being a mentor for all of those under his care.  His dedication to the profession has led to a direct positive impact in many healthcare professions across the state.