ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s R.T. Floyd receives distinguished athletic trainer award

Story: Lisa Sollie

Dr. R.T. Floyd, director of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center and associate dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, has received the 2026 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award.

Floyd has served the University for 45 years and was instrumental in establishing its athletic training program. Due in large part to his efforts, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú was the first public university in the state to receive approval for both a bachelor’s program in athletic training and a master’s program. This year marks the 40th anniversary of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center which was established in December 1986.

Since 1982, The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the AOSSM have presented the award annually to an outstanding NATA Hall of Fame member whose professional accomplishments have improved the quality of professional practice in athletic training.