NAT-M 2020
I Graduated from Plymouth State University in 1988 before moving to Alice, Texas, in 1989 to start my Athletic Training career. From there I went to Corpus Christi Richard King HS, as the Head Athletic Trainer for 17 years. I moved to Houston in 2008 to open a new HS in the Cypress Fairbanks ISD. When I came to Houston, I joined GHATS to be involved in the promotion of Athletic Training and to allow my students the opportunity to learn at the GHATS annual student Trainer workshop.
. I am a graduate of Texas Lutheran University and the University of Texas at Arlington. I am currently working on my doctorate in Health Science Education and Executive leadership at The University of Houston. I have worked with Houston Methodist Hospital for 13 years, having worked with the Houston Ballet during that time. For the past 12 years, I have also worked for Cypress – Fairbanks ISD as the athletic department Safety Coordinator. I am proud to give back to the community that has given me so much. My first experience with GHATS was in 1999, when I attended as a student. After graduating from college, I joined GHATS as a professional because of what the organization did for me as a student athletic trainer. My hope is that the organization will continue to inspire high school students to enter the profession of athletic training, as it did myself.
I am currently the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Waller High School. I graduated with my B.S. in Athletic Training from Washburn University in 2018, but have been a part of the athletic training world since 2011 when I was a Student Athletic Training Aide in high school. I have been a GHATS member since I moved here in 2018; because, I see so much value in being a part of a professional community that places importance on our students just as much as the professionals. As athletic training continuously evolves, National Athletic Training Month becomes increasingly beneficial to educating the public on our profession. I am so honored to be an AT and a GHATS member!
Personal Social Media:
Instagram: @ace_of_sprains
Twitter: @AshleyCEnneking
Facebook: Ashley Enneking
Program Social Media:
Instagram: @waller_sports_med
Twitter: @wallersportsmed
Facebook: Waller Sports Medicine
District Social Media:
Twitter: @wallerisd
Facebook: Waller ISD
I am originally from New Braunfels, TX. But, I have lived in Houston for the last 4 years. My passion and interest in Athletic Training began in high school. From there, I attended Texas A&M Corpus Christi and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. I began my professional career as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for Crosby High School. I spent three years at the high school and was the GHATS Workshop Host my last year. Currently, I am an Outreach Athletic Trainer with Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital.
I joined GHATS in 2016 as a way to network with other Athletic Trainers in the Houston area.
2007-2017: Outreach Athletic Trainer- Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic/Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine
2011-2012: Houston Stallions Arena Football- SIFL/LSFL – Head Athletic Trainer
2010-2012: Houston Power Women’s Professional Tackle Football- Head Athletic Trainer
2009-2018: Houston Energy Women’s Professional Tackle Football- Head Athletic Trainer
2008-2009- Katy Ruff Riders Arena Football- IFL- Head Athletic Trainer
2005- 2007- Foster High School – Lamar consolidated ISD- Athletic Trainer
2004- Obtained LAT, Graduated Texas State University.
GHATS:
Member in good standing since 2005
2017: GHATS Bobby Gunn Award
2015: 2017 Social Committee Chair
2015: Workshop T-Shirt Design Contest Chair
2012-2017: Designed developed and maintained the Hall of Honor Slide Show/video, put together flower arrangements for honorees at the Workshop; attended the golf tournaments and provided photographer services; photographer services at Student workshop.
Family-
My wife Laura and I just celebrated 8 years of marriage on Oct 22, 2019. Our son Cooper will be 4 in February. We enjoy our family time together on the weekends and like to travel.
Why I joined GHATS and continue to renew membership:
As most ATs say, I joined so that my student athletic trainers can attend the Workshop. I did it for that reason at first; but, when I was with RBJC and Memorial Hermann for 10 years I still maintained my membership and became more involved with the organization and saw its importance to our athletic training community here in the Houston and surrounding areas – how it promotes us as professionals, creates a network and a bridge between high school, college and professional athletic trainers at all levels. I also liked that its intent of being created was also as a social group, where we can go and have fun and not only see our friends when we are working an event on a playing field or court.
I graduated from Texas A&M University in 2014 where I was part of both the undergraduate Athletic Training Program and the Entry-Level MSAT program. I am currently the Athletic Trainer at New Caney Middle School in New Caney ISD, where I have been for the past six years. I also serve as the co-chair of registration for SWATA. I have been a member of GHATS for the past 8 years and will continue to be one. I love the community of GHATS and have very fond memories of attending the annual workshop as a student and now as a professional.
I have been an Outreach Athletic Trainer with Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine for the past ten years. I work with the Cypress, Katy & Memorial City campuses and cover the west/northwest region of the Houston area.
I started my Athletic Training career at Waller High School and had stops at Aldine MacArthur, Cypress Springs and Cypress Woods High School before taking an administrative position as District Athletic Trainer for Pasadena ISD before coming to Memorial Hermann.
I have been a Licensed AT since 1991. I am a former committee chair for the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association (Honors & Awards Committee) have held various roles and positions within the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers’ Society. David has also been an authorized provider with the American Red Cross as an instructor and instructor trainer for 20+ years and has also been a wrestling weight assessor for the UIL and TAPPS for the past 10+ years.
I have been a member of GHATS since 1993. It has been great being a member of this organization since then to get to know others from around the city and region who are in this great profession of Athletic Training and to be able to help each other with different things that come up at the local and state level. It is also great to be able to tell others in the community what Athletic Trainers are and what they do. I would say that if you can’t do anything at the national or state level then do everything you can at the local or regional level to promote and advance the profession of Athletic Training.
I have been a member of NATA for 50 years, beginning in 1970 as an Student Athletic Trainer Aide under the direction of Hall of Famer Wayne Rideout, Head Athletic Trainer at Bryan High School. I graduated from Texas A/M University in 1976 and served as an Student Athletic Trainer Aide under the direction of Billy Pickard. I began my career at Georgetown High School and served as the Head Athletic Trainer from July 1976 until June 30, 1981. From July 1981 until June 2004, I served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Calallen High School. In July 2004, I moved to Katy Morton Ranch High School for a two year stay as the Head Athletic Trainer. Lastly, I have been the Head Athletic Trainer at Fort Bend Clements High School since July 2006. While at Calallen High School from 1994 until 2003, I organized and served as the Course Director for The Greater Corpus Christi Student Trainer Workshop.
As a Member of the NATA, it is vitality important to expose your student athletic trainer aides to a Student Athletic Trainer Workshop learning environment to see what it takes to be an good ATSA in their high school and to prepare them for a medical field in a college or university setting. The GHATS Workshop in the Houston Area is the ideal setting to accomplish these goals.
I highly recommend the GHATS workshop and hope it continues to be held on a yearly basis. Most Athletic Trainers and students do not realize how much time and organizational skills it takes to host such a large workshop. There will be always some bumps in road; but, do not let your hard work be effected by a few bystanders.
I have been a certified athletic trainer for twenty years. I am a native of Independence, Kansas, and recently moved to Texas in January of last year. I received both my Bachelors in Exercise Science and Masters in Sports Studies from the University of Kansas. I have worked at Pratt, Coffeyville, and Independence Community Colleges in Kansas, in addition to working for Mercy Hospital as an outreach athletic trainer in both Fort Scott and Independence High Schools.
I am currently an athletic trainer for Houston Methodist Sugarland working as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Travis High School. I worked at Independence Community College on two different occasions, as Head Athletic Trainer 2002-2006, and most recent and prior to moving to Texas as the Assistant Athletic Trainer from 2016-2018. Independence Community College football team was featured on the Netflix show Last Chance U Season 3 & 4 during my time there.
I live in Katy with my wife, Valerie (a physical therapist), and our three children: Whitley, Deacon and Reese.
I joined GHATS this year. Being new to the area, I joined to get connected with other athletic trainers in the area.
Twitter: @jmjonesatc, @TravisSportsMed, @FBISDAthletics, @FortBendISD
Justin is a native of Mount Pleasant, Texas, graduating from Mount Pleasant High School in 1994. He attended Howard Payne University (HPU) in Brownwood, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in All Level Physical Education in 1998. Justin obtained his Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration from Texas A&M University–Commerce in August of 2019. During his time at HPU, he served as a Summer Intern Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994 & 1995, under the direction of Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer Otho Davis, and with the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. Upon graduation in 1998, Justin served as a Seasonal Assistant Athletic Trainer for the New York Jets. Justin has also worked for an Orthopedic Surgeon in Brownwood, Texas, Dr. Marlen Strefling, in a Physical Therapy Clinic in Longview, Texas and an Athletic Trainer in the Secondary School Setting (2004-2017) at Mount Pleasant High School.
Justin has been a Member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) since 1995. He passed the Texas Licensure Test in 1998 and passed the Board of Certification exam in 2000. Justin arrived at Northeast Texas Community College as the Athletic Trainer and Instructor of Human Performance in 2017. In February of 2019, Justin was given the additional duties of Assistant Athletic Director for NTCC. With the completion of his Master’s degree, he now he serves as Director of Human Performance in the new Associates of Science Human Performance degree program at NTCC.
Justin served on the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association (SWATA) Secondary Schools Athletic Trainers Committee from 2015-2018 and joined the SWATA Public Relations committee in July of 2018. He also joined the NATA District 6 AT’s Care team in 2018.
In his spare time, Justin serves as a Volunteer Firefighter for the city of Mount Pleasant Fire Department and the Nortex Volunteer Fire Department in Titus County, Texas. Justin has been married to Kay Hargrove since 2003. They have two children Devon and Madison.
Kristie Hayes is the Head Athletic Trainer at Porter High School. She’s in her 18th year in the Athletic Training profession and her 16th year in New Caney ISD. Kristie opened Porter High School in 2010.
Kristie has been married to her husband, Gary, for 16 years; they have a daughter, Kami, who is 12. When she’s not helping Student Athletes recover from injuries, she’s with her family. Though, you’re also likely to catch Kristie and Kami on the Porter campus.
Why I joined GHATS: I joined because I wanted to be involved in our local organization. This is a great organization that truly benefits its members and students of the greater Houston area.
Why I continue to renew membership: The benefits far exceed the cost of membership to an organization that supports our profession. I really like what GHATS does for the student athletic trainers in the area. The fact that we can provide them with a free workshop during the school year is unlike any other organization.
Social Media:
Twitter: @PorterSpartans, @newcaneyisd, @aggietrainer
Facebook: kristie.hayes.54, @porterhighschool
Instagram: aggietrainer
UH MAT Clinical Assistant Professor
I earned a B.S. in Athletic Training from Lock Haven University and M.S. in Exercise Science from Cumberland University. I practiced clinically at Cumberland University, providing care for the university’s wrestling and cross country teams. I taught undergraduate exercise science at Middle Tennessee State University for three years while earning a PhD in Health and Human Performance. I’m currently a Clinical Assistant Professor and Co-Clinical Coordinator for the Master of Athletic Training Program at the University of Houston. I’m an active member of the NATA and ACSM.
I joined GHATS when moving to Houston in 2018. The society has provided professional networking opportunities for me and my students. The GHATS Workshop is one of the few events where I get to work alongside my students to educate the next generation of athletic trainers.
Twitter: @laycij
Program Facebook: Master of Athletic Training Program at the University of Houston
SWATA Young Professionals: @SWATA_YPC
I graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1978 with a specialization in athletic training and graduated from Indiana State University in 1980 with a Master of Science in Athletic Training/Health and Human Performance. I spent my first 8 professional years in Calhoun County ISD in Port Lavaca, TX, before moving to Northbrook HS (Spring Branch ISD) in 1988.
I worked as an Athletic Trainer for 18 years, served as an Assistant Principal for 7 years and returned to the world of Athletic Training in 2013, when I took an Outreach Athletic Training job with Memorial Hermann. Currently, I work with the XFL Roughnecks.
In the course of my career, I’ve been blessed to spend time at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and work as an Athletic Trainer at the 1983 Olympic Sports Festival and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. I have also been recognized as a Distinguished Athletic Trainer Alumni SWTSU (class of 1987) and the 2006 Bobby Gunn Athletic Trainer of the Year Award by the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association.
I joined GHATS in the first year of its inception, making me a charter member. I joined because at that time it was difficult for Athletic Trainers to get together during the year. Most schools that had Athletic Trainers had only one and not all schools had one at all. Other than a few minutes during a football game, you were lucky to see another Athletic Trainer during the year, maybe at a basketball tournament or the district track meet. Having a social group for Athletic Trainers was and still is important. That is why I still elect to remain a member and support the original GHATS purpose from its formation: to connect with other Athletic Trainers and to assist in the growth of the profession through the support of the Student Athletic Trainer Workshop.
This is Michelle’s 23rd year at South Houston High School as Athletic Trainer and her 25th year in education/athletic training overall. She holds a Master’s Degree is in Fitness and Human Performance from UH-Clear Lake and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Lamar University-Beaumont.
Michelle and her husband have been married for more than 12 years and do not have kids or pets. Instead, she states her “athletes and student athletic trainers are all her kids”. She also has a unique hobby and talent, which helps keep her sane. She makes stained glass.
I have been a member of GHATS for over 20 years and attended GHATS as a student athletic trainer my senior year of high school in 1991.
I am a member of GHATS because I feel it is a good organization for the athletic trainers in the Houston area. The student athletic trainer workshop was my first taste of GHATS; and, it continues to be a great opportunity for student athletic trainers to be exposed to the profession.
Twitter: @SoHotrainers & @SouthHoustonHighSchool.
Facebook: South Houston High School.
Rudy Lazar is the Head Athletic Trainer at Paetow High School.
Originally from Sealy, Rudy graduated from Texas Lutheran University in 2005. He has worked as an Athletic Trainer in the secondary school setting for 15 years. He is currently in his 3rd year at Paetow High School in Katy ISD.
Rudy enjoys spending time with his wife, family and two dogs (Lola and Elliot). And, he enjoys cheering on his favorite H-Town Teams – Astros, Texans and Rockets.
He became an Athletic Trainer; because, he has a passion for two things: Sports and helping student athletes achieve their goals within the realm of athletics, while making an impact on their daily lives and futures.
Why do I GHATS? I joined GHATS to connect with Athletic Trainers in the Houston area, as well as create an opportunity of my Student Athletic Trainers to connect and learn about the professional and what it entails.
Program Twitter: @Paetow_AT
I began my athletic training career while in high school at L.D. Bell in Hurst, Texas. I had always had an interest in medicine as well as sports. I played basketball and softball for L.D. Bell but eventually suffered a knee injury that required me to see our athletic trainer. That was the first time I ever heard the term. In talking to my AT Staff, I discovered the career combined two of my favorites interests; and, I decided to become a student athletic trainer under Herb Kensing (SWATA Hall of Fame) and Susan Leeper.
Upon graduation, I decided to attend Texas A&M University and was blessed to work and learn with Julie Hipple, A&M’s Head Women’s Athletic Trainer.
While I attended A&M, I worked primarily with women’s basketball and tennis. However, I also helped pioneer female involvement in a male dominated culture, as I was the first female student athletic trainer to work a Texas A&M football game. Today the Athletic Training Program at A&M is no longer segregated; and, all female students have the opportunity to work with the football team. Before I graduated, my group of student athletic trainers started the Aggie Athletic Trainers Association, which is still thriving today.
After graduating from Texas A&M, I pursued a Master’s degree in Athletic Training at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. While at Western, I worked in a physical therapy clinic and was the Athletic Trainer for Martin High School in Martin, Michigan. I was also an Athletic Trainer for a semi-pro football team, the Kalamazoo Tornadoes.
Upon graduating Western, I returned to Texas.
In July of 1994, I accepted a job at Westfield High School. I am blessed to still be at the school after 26 years of service to the community. Shortly after arriving in Houston, I became an active member in the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers’ Society and was the Scholarship and Awards chair from 1999 – 2010. For my dedicated service to GHATS, I received the Tom Wilson Award in 2008.
I am fortunate to have been involved in several specialty areas of Athletic Training in my career. I spent two weeks working at the Olympic training Center in Chula Vista, California, and worked with many track and field athletes preparing for their trip to the games in Greece. I’ve worked elite football and basketball combines and camps. And, since 2016, I have been an active volunteer Athletic Trainer on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on the Sports Medicine Committee. These opportunities have enabled me to impact the Athletic Community and Athletic Trainers. In 2018, I was awarded the John Harvey Humanitarian Award through SWATA for my significant positive impact on ethnic minority athletic trainers and physically active ethnic minority individuals. Currently, I serve as the NATA District 6 representative for the Honors and Awards Hall of Fame committee.
I am a member of GHATS; because, it is important to support our profession at all levels, especially locally. GHATS enables the large Houston area of Athletic Trainers to become a bit smaller and personable. The SAT Workshop that GHATS puts on is second to none. It provides students an excellent opportunity to learn skills and comradery.
Social Media:
Twitter: @MustangATs, @SISDAthletics, @ SpringISD, @WHSFB_Boosters, @whsmustangs, @suzedavis12
Facebook: Westfield Sports Medicine, Susan Smith Davis, Spring ISD
Instagram: Susan.smithdavis.9, westfieldtrainers_
Tiffany Kizziah is the Head Athletic Trainer at Foster High School and is in her 13th year at Foster. She graduated Sam Houston State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Sports Medicine emphasis. In 2010, she attended Wharton County Junior College to earn her EMT-Basic. And, she earned her Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2017. She is an American Red Cross CPR and First Aid Instructor, a member of THSCA, GHATS, TSATA, SHSU Athletic Training Alumni and Friends Association, and President of the Foster FFA Booster Club. On top of all her Athletic Training duties she is also a single mother to a 15-year-old daughter who is an active softball player and FFA member raising cattle, lambs and chickens.
I continue to be a member of GHATS to allow my students the great opportunity of attending the GHATS Student Athletic Trainer Workshop to gain a further knowledge in the field of sports medicine. It allows them the opportunity to meet other students in Houston and the surrounding areas that have a common interest with them and to visit with colleges that provide a further educational experience in Athletic Training. It also allows professionals to meet and mingle among each other outside of the daily game day routines.
Personal Twitter: @tkizzyk
Program Twitter Accounts:
@FosterSportsMed
@LamarCISD
@lcisdathletics
Instagram Account: fosterhsat