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Excellence in Athletic Training in Colorado and Wyoming High Schools

The High School Athletic Training Program Award and Student Athletic Training Award were established in 2003 Denver Nuggets Head Athletic Trainer Jim Gillen to recognize outstanding high school certified athletic trainers and their athletic training programs Colorado. Beginning with the 2010 Awards, qualified programs and trainers in Wyoming were also eligible to apply. New this year, the High School Comeback Athlete of the Year.

The goal of the Awards is to provide funds to assist high school athletic training programs in the following areas:

  • Prevention and care of high school athletic injuries
  • Education and training of high school students pursuing a career in the athletic training profession or other health related fields
  • Provide certified athletic trainers with more assets to perform their duties
  • Recognize the effort required by both an athlete and trainer to recover from an injury

High School Athletic Trainer winners receive funds to use at their discretion for supplies, equipment or educational opportunities to improve the athletic training program at their school. Comeback Athlete of the Year Winner receives an individual scholarship for post-secondary educational expenses and the athletic training receives funds for school training program.

Presented by

HealthONE’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s
Bo Mitchell
Paul DiNapoli - Centennial Sales
Gold Crown Foundation
JCGC Foundation
Kroenke Sports Charities

Eligibility Requirements

Any High School that is a member of the Colorado or Wyoming High School Activities Associations and has a Certified Athletic Trainer as a member of their athletic staff can apply for this award.

Awards:

  • High School Athletic Training Program Award
    • First Place
      An award of $2000 and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) will be donated to three high school athletic training programs.

    • An award of $500 will be donated to two high school training programs.

      • The Awards will be presented at a Nuggets game in March in conjunction with the “National Athletic Trainers Month.” Award recipients also receive a tour of the Denver Nuggets athletic training facilities.
  • Comeback Athlete of the Year
      • One high school athlete will be recognized for his/her efforts in recovering from an injury or illness (not necessarily related to sports performance). This athlete will receive a $1500 scholarship for post-secondary education and their high school athletic training department will receive a $1000 award.

Application Process

  • High School Athletic Training Program Award
      • In addition to completing this application, all applicants must submit three formal letters of recommendation (from coaches, physicians, former athletes, peer athletic trainers etc.)

      Applications will be narrowed to four semi-finalists, all of whom will receive an on-site or phone interview with a member of the Selection Committee.
  • Comeback Athlete of the Year
      • Student athlete may be nominated by coach, faculty member from their school, or a supervising athletic trainer.

Application Form

If you would like to apply for one of the programs, or both, then here's your chance. Just print off this APPLICATION FORM, fill it out, and mail the application to:

    Denver Nuggets
    Attention: Jim Gillen
    Athletic Trainer
    1000 Chopper Cir.
    Denver, CO 80204

Application Deadline

All applications must be received by Friday, February 18, 2011.

A Note from Jim Gillen
The reason the Awards were established

My career in athletic training began as a high school athletic trainer. The years I spent working with high school athletes were some of the most rewarding time in my career.

There is a great need for Certified Athletic Trainers in our high schools. Our youth need quality medical care while they are participating in athletic programs.

My main goal is establishing this program in 2003 was to help raise awareness of the outstanding skills of outstanding skills of individuals whom work with high school athletes. With these Awards, we hope to help Colorado and Wyoming High Schools provide improved care to their athletes and also educate students.

With support of our sponsors, we are proud to include the Comeback Athlete of the Year Award this year to recognize and encourage athletes and trainers to recover from an injury.

Jim Gillen
Denver Nuggets
Head Athletic Trainer

High School Athletic Training Award Recipients

2009-10
Brooke Anderson, ATC – Kelly Walsh High School, Casper, WY
Tom Bradley, ATC – Castle View High School, Castle Rock, CO
Kelly Brick, ATC – John F. Kennedy High School, Denver, CO

2008-09
Shaun Carmody, ATC – Cheyenne Mountain High School, Colorado Springs, CO
Dominic DiManna, ATC – Alameda High School, Lakewood, CO

2007-08
Larry Franca, ATC – Dakota Ridge High School, Littleton, CO
John Salvatore, ATC – Fountain – Fort Carson High School, Fort Carson, CO

2006-07
Jaclyn Lucas, ATC – Elizabeth High School, Elizabeth, CO
Steve Rath, ATC – Horizon High School, Thornton, CO

2005-06
Tom Bashline, ATC – Brighton High School, Brighton, CO
Kevin Margarucci, ATC – Lewis Palmer High School, Colorado Springs, CO

2004-05
Chris Mathewson, ATC – Ponderosa High School, Parker, CO
Bob Timm, ATC – Widefield High School, Colorado Springs, CO

2003-04
Jim Campbell, ATC – Overland High School, Aurora, CO
Todd McKercher, ATC – Grandview High School, Aurora, CO