By Ryan Duey
Justin Clark, Athletic Trainer at Memorial Health System Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine and for Abilene High School, was inducted into the Emporia State Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) Hall of Honor. The ceremony was held on April 5th at Sauder Alumni Center on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia.
The Hall of Honor recognizes graduates from the HPER department who have achieved prominence in their chosen field or who have made significant contributions to Emporia State in the form of service to the HPER department. Criteria to be nominated for this honor includes: the nominee must be a graduate of the HPER department at Emporia State University, must have at least 10 years of professional experience past graduation, must show a strong commitment to his/her professional growth, should demonstrate a healthy lifestyle, and must be a respected member of the profession and have contributed significant service to the chosen field.
Clark is currently serving as the Kansas Athletic Trainers’ Society (KATS) President and has been on the KATS Symposium Committee since 2015. Prior to his role as KATS President, Clark served as KATS President-Elect, KATS Treasurer for six years, Public Relations Chair for two years, and Chair of the KATS Secondary Schools Committee for 10 years. He has also served on the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA) Finance Committee from 2018-2020. He has volunteered as the athletic trainer for the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene since 2007 and at the National High School Finals Rodeo since 2009. Clark has served as a preceptor for the Kansas State University Athletic Training Program since 2017 and volunteered as site coordinator for KSHSAA Volleyball, Wrestling, and Basketball playoff and state-level events from 2009 to 2016. Clark has helped establish the first KATS Safety in Football campaign and he laid the foundation for moving to WBGT (WetBulb Globe Temperature) standards for heat illness, which is now being used in the state of Kansas. He also helped to create heat illness policy revisions to cross-country meets and for band members. Clark also is a member of the Abilene High School health pathway advisory committee, committed to helping educate future healthcare providers.
