Hoff named Georgia Athletic Trainer of the Year

Russ Hoff, assistant professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education at Valdosta State University, received the Jerry Rhea Athletic Trainer of Year award for demonstrating exemplarily service to the profession of athletic training.

Hoff was selected from nominations submitted by members of the Georgia Athletic Trainers Association (GATA) and was recognized for his dedication to improving the profession of athletic training, especially in the field of education. He was also acknowledged for his commitment to his family and his devotion to teaching.

The award, presented to Hoff on Jan. 12 by the GATA, was named in honored of Jerry Rhea a longtime athletic trainer for the Atlanta Falcons.

The GATA was created in 1986, and is composed of more than 300 licensed trainers from professional, collegiate and high school teams to industrial programs and sports medicine clinics.