Dr. Terry DeWitt, chair of the Department of Kinesiology & Leisure Studies at Ouachita Baptist University, was inducted into the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association (AATA) Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 23.
DeWitt is the first standing president of the AATA to be inducted into their Hall of Fame. DeWitt served for two years as president-elect and is beginning his second year as president of the AATA.
“I was very humbled to be in the Hall of Fame,” DeWitt said. “I am in there with some really neat folks that have been around for a really long time.”
Hall of Fame inductees must be nominated by a fellow AATA member, have state and national certification for athletic training, have at least 15 years of membership in the AATA and an achievement meriting recognition. Current Hall of Fame members vote on the nominees.
DeWitt was inducted at the AATA annual meeting at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, where members also attended sessions addressing topics ranging from spine board protocols to radiology. Joining DeWitt in the 2016 Hall of Fame class is Andy Clawson, athletic trainer for The Citadel and a native of El Dorado, Ark.
“It was humbling. I look back at how long I have been doing this as a student, a grad student and once I got my license to do it for real – I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and I absolutely love it. I love this profession,” DeWitt added. “I believe someone said that if you find a job that you love you’ll never work a day in your life; I believe that.”
DeWitt has published two peer-reviewed journal articles on athletic training. He has served on numerous committees in the AATA and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association since becoming a certified member in 1991. His awards include the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2012, Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2012, the NATA Service Award in 2009 and the Arkansas Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2005. Three governors have reappointed him to the Arkansas State Licensing Board since he began serving in that capacity in 2001.
DeWitt earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Ouachita, his Master of Education degree at Nicholls State University, his Master of Science in Education degree from Henderson State University and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Arkansas. A faculty member at Ouachita since 1999, he began working as the first athletic trainer in Clark County in 1990 with Baptist Health and Twin Rivers Orthopedic Clinic.
DeWitt has served on two combat tours to Iraq as part of the U.S. Army Reserve. He has been awarded the Bronze Star in 2005 and 2010 for meritorious service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently holds the rank of colonel. In 2003, he founded the Armed Forces Athletic Trainers’ Society to promote athletic trainers within the Department of Defense and the U.S. government.
DeWitt and his wife, Charlotte, an elementary school counselor, have lived in Arkadelphia for the past 25 years. They have two children, Lauren and Clinton, and three grandchildren.
According to its website, the AATA has existed for 30 years “to advance, encourage and improve the athletic training profession.” DeWitt has been involved in the AATA since its second meeting.
For more information, contact Dr. Terry DeWitt at dewittt@obu.edu or 870-245-5264.
By Meaghan Pollizi
