CARROLLTON, Texas – The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) recently announced its 2018 national award winners and former Gustavus athletic trainer Gary Reinholtz has been honored as one of seven members to the Class of 2018 NATA Hall of Fame. Reinholtz was the first full-time athletic trainer for the Gustavus athletic department, starting in 1976, and served as the head athletic trainer for 22 years. The Madison, Wis. native retired in 2004 after serving as the program director for the athletic training major in the Department of Health and Exercise Science.
A graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, Gary has been a driving force in the athletic training profession regionally as well as nationally. His research at the University of Washington in the mid-’70s led to the publication of the first programmed text for use in athletic training curriculums. He then moved on to Gustavus where he began developing one of the top undergraduate athletic training programs in the country. While at Gustavus, Reinholtz mentored hundreds of students in the athletic training program and treated approximately 7,000 student-athletes. He was inducted into the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame as a benefactor in 2004.
In addition to his responsibilities at Gustavus and association with NATA, Reinholtz has been involved in the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA) and the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association (MATA). He served as a president of MATA from 1983 to 1985 and vice president of GLATA from 1984 to 1986. Through his involvement with MATA, Gary drafted the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Act, which was signed into law by Governor Arne Carlson in 1993. In 1996, Reinholtz was recognized for his service to the athletic training profession by being named to the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame as well as receiving the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from NATA. In 2012, Reinholtz was honored with the Fred Zamberletti Award, which recognizes an outstanding Minnesotan athletic trainer who has had strong impact in the athletic training profession.
Since retiring from Gustavus, Gary spent time as a financial associate for Thrivent Financial in St. Peter. He lives in Florida with his wife Brenda (Larson ’69) and is stepfather to Staci Nelson and Grant Fritz.
2018 NATA National Award Winners
From NATA:
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame exists to recognize the very best of our profession. Induction into the Hall of Fame honors athletic trainers who exemplify the mission of NATA through significant, lasting contributions that enhance the quality of health care provided by athletic trainers and advance the profession. To date, more than 250 athletic trainers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. These men and women have shaped the profession through their noteworthy accomplishments and dedication to service, leadership and professionalism.
Eligibility
- NATA member in good standing
- 30 years BOC certification -or- Retired Certified with initial certification at least 30 years prior to award year
- 30 years membership in NATA
- No other award, NATA or otherwise, is a prerequisite for eligibility for the Hall of Fame
Gary was world class.
Always treated me great as a Gustie athlete in the late 70’s