Waterville, Maine - The Eastern Athletic Trainer's Association (EATA) recently revealed that the winner of the 2022 EATA Excellence in Leadership Award will be none other than Colby's Tim Weston.  With the yearly award on brief hiatus in 2021 due to COVID-19, Weston will be the first awarded since 2020, and the first winner associated with Colby College in the history of the award.  The award was created in 1966.  

"I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award," said Weston.  "The many individuals that have come before me are true legends within the AT profession.  Many of the previous winners are not only my mentors but have also provided me the opportunity to serve in various volunteer leadership positions within the EATA."

Coming to Mayflower Hill as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in 1992, Weston was named to his current position of Head Athletic Trainer in 2008.  At Colby Athletics' Senior Sports Awards in May of 2021, Weston was awarded the department's Impact Award.  This award is given to a member of the Colby community for their support of Colby Athletics.  In a year where students' health and safety were challenged more than ever before, Weston tirelessly led the charge for the department and its 700+ student-athletes to navigate COVID-19 and eventually return to game action safely.  He has served in numerous positions for the Maine Athletic Trainers Association (MATA), EATA, as well as the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). 

"I am pleased to share that Tim Weston has been selected as the 2022 recipient of the EATA Excellence in Leadership Award," said EATA President Linda Levy.  "Tim's leadership at the state, district, and national levels has been, and continues to be, the model for all of us to follow."

The EATA Excellence in Leadership Award was developed in 1966 to recognize those members of the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association (EATA) who have provided leadership that enhances the profession of Athletic Training at the national, District 1 and/or District 2, and/or states included in District 1 and/or District 2 levels in a manner consistent with the leadership provided by Chuck and Frank Cramer.  Chuck and Frank Cramer, who served on the first-ever Olympic athletic training staff, were two of the Founding Fathers of the EATA and the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA).  They launched a company that created the first athletic training products that helped to fund the NATA and EATA in their early years.  Their efforts nurtured these organizations through their infancy and helped to shape the profession.   The brothers produced the first educational materials and provided training opportunities for young individuals interested in careers in athletic training.

The award ceremony will be held on January 8th, 2022 at the EATA Convention at Foxwoods Resort & Casino.  

For a full list of recipients since the inception of the award in 1966, please click here.