Off the Roll

Bill Cowgill was looking to be come an architect when he arrived on campus at Ball State University in 1990. When that major became to daunting to this Highland IN High School grad he became an architect of relationships and athletic training that lead him to become one of most respected athletic trainers in the world of men's college basketball. Each experience he built a network of athletic training expertise and supporters that have lead him to his current position as the Associate Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Kansas. His journey has taken him from far off places like Rensselaer, IN to Fayetteville, AK, South Bend, IN and Miami, FL and the past 21 years in Lawrence, KS. In each of these experiences he built and cultivated relationships that helped him grow as and athletic trainer and earn respect from peers and coaches that helped him to the leadership role he is today. Bill is a 2018 inductee to the Cardinal Sports Medicine Society Ring of Honor and resides in Lawrence, KS with his wife Kirsten and their two sons.

Johnathan Allen was curious. He a was curious about his Dad's ACL surgery while Jonathan was in high school. How was he going to get back? Who was going to help him with his rehab? Would he be able to do what he did before? Johnathan was curious and this led him into a career in health care. After high school he had a cup of coffee in Bloomington, IN at Indiana University but after figuring out, like Larry Bird, that a big school is not for everyone he found his way to Ball State in the winter of 2001. He stayed for six years and made an impact on staff and students that were there with him. In looking for his first job he found an opportunity in Connersville, IN at Connersville HS that would be the future trend of all he has done up unto this point in his career. Build a program from the ground up. He spent 6 years at Connersville but his last was out of the AT room and in an office that was not his style. He decided to look outside the box again and apply for a Assistant Professor/Clinical Coordinator/Assistant AT at Union University in Jackson, TN With the help of a fellow BSU AT Alum he landed the job and he started building again. First the AT program at Union and then his own business Pillar Active Medicine. In his own business he has provided medical services amateur motocross, bull riding, and color guard and a more traditional role covering secondary schools when his schedule allows. Jonathan is currently completing is dissertation for a PhD in Philosophy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He and his wife Crystal and their 7 children reside in Jackson, TN

In 1975 a freshman found his way into a call out for student athletic trainers at Ball State University. Being one of the rare people to have an athletic trainer at his high school in the early 1970's he had a small understanding of what athletic trainers did. He started off with a couple of days a week of observation and then spending time with Jim Dickerson in a golf cart during the MAC cross country championship sealed the deal for Rex Call and sent him on a career path that has taken him across the country and then finally back home to DePauw University. He has learned from NATA HOF athletic trainers to teaching his own outstanding students that have impacted the health care profession due to his guidance. This 1979 Ball State graduate (BA) and 1980 University of Arizona graduate (MS) had worked in the NFL, NCAA Div. 1 level, been part of one of the very first industrial athletic training programs and started his own out-patient PT clinic providing AT outreach to local high schools. Finally ending up back where he started at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN where he started an approved BOC athletic training education curriculum and developed a clinic staff program second to none at the NCAA Div. 3 level. Rex was the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association College Athletic Trainer of the year in 2002, The Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Presidents Excellence Award winner in 2016, Inducted into the DePauw University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, North Putnam High School Distinguished Alumni 2021, and Inducted into the Cardinal Sports Medicine Society Ring of Honor in 2014. Rex retired from DePauw in 2017 as the Director Emeritus of Sports Medicine and Professor Emeritus of Kinesiology.

He and his wife Carol have 3 adult children, 9 grandchildren and reside in Greencastle, IN

In 1975 a freshman found his way into a call out for student athletic trainers at Ball State University. Being one of the rare people to have an athletic trainer at his high school in the early 1970's he had a small understanding of what athletic trainers did. He started off with a couple of days a week of observation and then spending time with Jim Dickerson in a golf cart during the MAC cross country championship sealed the deal for Rex Call and sent him on a career path that has taken him across the country and then finally back home to DePauw University. He has learned from NATA HOF athletic trainers to teaching his own outstanding students that have impacted the health care profession due to his guidance. This 1979 Ball State graduate (BA) and 1980 University of Arizona graduate (MS) had worked in the NFL, NCAA Div. 1 level, been part of one of the very first industrial athletic training programs and started his own out-patient PT clinic providing AT outreach to local high schools. Finally ending up back where he started at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN where he started an approved BOC athletic training education curriculum and developed a clinic staff program second to none at the NCAA Div. 3 level. Rex was the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association College Athletic Trainer of the year in 2002, The Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Presidents Excellence Award winner in 2016, Inducted into the DePauw University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, North Putnam High School Distinguished Alumni 2021, and Inducted into the Cardinal Sports Medicine Society Ring of Honor in 2014. Rex retired from DePauw in 2017 as the Director Emeritus of Sports Medicine and Professor Emeritus of Kinesiology.

He and his wife Carol have 3 adult children, 9 grandchildren and reside in Greencastle, IN

It is a story that is old as long as athletic training has been a profession. An injury playing a sport leads to interest in athletic training and morphs into a storied career. That was what happened to Dave Weikel his junior year in high school when a dislocated shoulder while playing football lead to a chance meeting with a PT/ATC that peaked his interest in athletic training. When searching for schools with athletic training education programs he found a fit at Ball State and worked his way into a wild ride with the 1989-1990 Sweet Sixteen Men's basketball team as a student athletic trainer. Women's track, Football, and Men's Volleyball were all clinical sport assignments that Dave worked student AT while at Ball State. He worked as a student AT intern with the Indianapolis Colts for two years, the second as the 6 month intern. With a dream of working in the NFL but not the availability of open positions in the mid 1990's he decided to take an outreach position first in Muncie, IN and then in Niles, MI. He found that working with secondary school athletes was as enjoyable as working with professional athletes. After a short stent with Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, IN, Dave moved on to St Vincent's Sports Performance. This provided him with the opportunity to begin working with USA Football as the Head Athletic Trainer. A role that he currently holds today. He has traveled all over the world for different USA Football events and represented the profession of athletic training on a world stage in this role. In 2020 he became the Manager of Sports Medicine for Franciscan Health, Indianapolis, IN. He oversees the athletic trainers for 22 schools and 1 university in the Indianapolis area. Dave was the host athletic trainer at the Lucas Oil Stadium Venue for the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. He was a panelist 2023 NATA youth sports safety summit and is a in-demand speaker for youth football safety. Currently he is a medical observer for Ball State University Football games. Dave was inducted to the Cardinal Sports Medicine Society Ring of Honor in 2022. He resides in Westfield, IN with his wife Jennifer and their two children.

"No man is a failure who has friends." - Clarence, the Guarding Angel of George Bailey

Nothing could be said truer about Neal Hazen. In fact there are many people that would consider Neal as their guarding angel. This 2023 Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee is recognized by many people as a good friend and excellent health care provider. This mission to provide health care and friendship started in at Ball State University in their short lived physical therapy program. After a few years of wandering around at various academic institutions (Earlham and then, IPFW) he landed in Muncie. In this time he was learning about the physical therapy profession and making contacts in the athletic training room. After graduation he found employment at Whitley County Hospital as a physical therapist. After a year at Whitley County he got a call from Bruce Rueter, his friend from PT school, and told him about a position at Ball State as a physical therapist in the athletic training program. In 1987 this started a 34 year career at Ball State. 25 of those years as the Head Athletic Trainer starting in 1996. In his time at BSU he has taken care of numerous student athletes, coaches, coaches families and faculty and staff. He oversaw a increase in athletic training staff, new facilities, Assisted in development of primary care sports medicine fellowship that provided unprecedented sports medicine physician coverage for student athletes. Lead the development of the CARE team that promotes student-athlete mental well being and safety. Neal was a preceptor in the Ball State Athletic Training Program. Mentoring many student athletic trainers in his career, many who went on to be leaders in the profession of athletic training. In 2019 he was honored by the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine as the NCAA Division 1 head athletic trainer of the year. He was inducted into the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2017. He was the IATA College and University Athletic Trainer of the year in 2010 and received the NATA Service Award in 2006. Neal was inducted into to the Cardinal Sports Medicine Society Ring of Honor in 2006. He is an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and former Grand Knight of the Muncie Knights of Columbus. He and his wife Becky reside in Yorktown, IN and are the parents of 8 children, (Mary, Rachel, Sarah, Katie, Paul, Joey, Claire, and Lydia) They are also the grandparents to one grandson, Maverick (Mary and Val).

"No man is a failure who has friends." - Clarence, the Guarding Angel of George Bailey

Nothing could be said truer about Neal Hazen. In fact there are many people that would consider Neal as their guarding angel. This 2023 Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee is recognized by many people as a good friend and excellent health care provider. This mission to provide health care and friendship started in at Ball State University in their short lived physical therapy program. After a few years of wandering around at various academic institutions (Earlham and then, IPFW) he landed in Muncie. In this time he was learning about the physical therapy profession and making contacts in the athletic training room. After graduation he found employment at Whitley County Hospital as a physical therapist. After a year at Whitley County he got a call from Bruce Rueter, his friend from PT school, and told him about a position at Ball State as a physical therapist in the athletic training program. In 1987 this started a 34 year career at Ball State. 25 of those years as the Head Athletic Trainer starting in 1996. In his time at BSU he has taken care of numerous student athletes, coaches, coaches families and faculty and staff. He oversaw a increase in athletic training staff, new facilities, Assisted in development of primary care sports medicine fellowship that provided unprecedented sports medicine physician coverage for student athletes. Lead the development of the CARE team that promotes student-athlete mental well being and safety. Neal was a preceptor in the Ball State Athletic Training Program. Mentoring many student athletic trainers in his career, many who went on to be leaders in the profession of athletic training. In 2019 he was honored by the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine as the NCAA Division 1 head athletic trainer of the year. He was inducted into the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2017. He was the IATA College and University Athletic Trainer of the year in 2010 and received the NATA Service Award in 2006. Neal was inducted into to the Cardinal Sports Medicine Society Ring of Honor in 2006. He is an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and former Grand Knight of the Muncie Knights of Columbus. He and his wife Becky reside in Yorktown, IN and are the parents of 8 children, (Mary, Rachel, Sarah, Katie, Paul, Joey, Claire, and Lydia) They are also the grandparents to one grandson, Maverick (Mary and Val).

In 1960 a young Ken Wolfert was just trying to find some relief from his subungual hematoma on his finger. That led him into a room that said "Physical Therapy" above the door and a chance meeting with Al Hart who was the athletic trainer at Ohio University. Al treated Ken finger and sparked some interest in athletic training. Ken started help Al with the football team and soon was traveling with other sports. This informal education allowed for Ken to meet NATA hall of famers, Mel Blinckenstaff and Otho Davis. In 1965 when Ken graduated from OU he accepted the new assistant athletic training position at Ohio. He was at OU for 2 1/2 years when an opportunity at Cleveland State opened up. After one year at Cleveland State the AD at Miami of Ohio called Ken to see if he would be interested in their Head Athletic Trainer position. After consulting with his mentors Ken accepted the position and began a 13 year career at Miami. In his time at Miami Ken started the very first overnight High School Athletic Training Workshop. This started the athletic training careers of many practicing athletic trainers and was the inspiration for the Cramer Athletic Training Workshop in later years. During this time he was also the athletic trainer for the US team in the World Games for the Deaf. In 1981 the unique opportunity to direct a sports medicine clinic in Oxford, OH was too good to pass up and Ken moved out of the college setting. After 2 years the sports medicine clinic folded and Ken found himself needing a job. For a short time he worked with the Cincinnati Reds as a strength consultant, and Lakota High School as their athletic trainer. Providence College in Providence, RI was looking for an experienced Coordinator of Sports Medicine Services and through some athletic training contacts Ken was hired. He spent the next 16 years at Providence until he retired in August of 2001. In his retirement he was a part of the Sun City, Fl emergency squad. Ken and his wife Pat serve in Secular Franciscan Order in their winter home of Sun City, Fl, while also spending their spring and summers in Muncie, IN. He was the editor in chief for the NATA Journal of Athletic Training from 1979 -1984 and was inducted into the Ohio Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 1992.

In 1960 a young Ken Wolfert was just trying to find some relief from his subungual hematoma on his finger. That led him into a room that said "Physical Therapy" above the door and a chance meeting with Al Hart who was the athletic trainer at Ohio University. Al treated Ken finger and sparked some interest in athletic training. Ken started help Al with the football team and soon was traveling with other sports. This informal education allowed for Ken to meet NATA hall of famers, Mel Blinckenstaff and Otho Davis. In 1965 when Ken graduated from OU he accepted the new assistant athletic training position at Ohio. He was at OU for 2 1/2 years when an opportunity at Cleveland State opened up. After one year at Cleveland State the AD at Miami of Ohio called Ken to see if he would be interested in their Head Athletic Trainer position. After consulting with his mentors Ken accepted the position and began a 13 year career at Miami. In his time at Miami Ken started the very first overnight High School Athletic Training Workshop. This started the athletic training careers of many practicing athletic trainers and was the inspiration for the Cramer Athletic Training Workshop in later years. During this time he was also the athletic trainer for the US team in the World Games for the Deaf. In 1981 the unique opportunity to direct a sports medicine clinic in Oxford, OH was too good to pass up and Ken moved out of the college setting. After 2 years the sports medicine clinic folded and Ken found himself needing a job. For a short time he worked with the Cincinnati Reds as a strength consultant, and Lakota High School as their athletic trainer. Providence College in Providence, RI was looking for an experienced Coordinator of Sports Medicine Services and through some athletic training contacts Ken was hired. He spent the next 16 years at Providence until he retired in August of 2001. In his retirement he was a part of the Sun City, Fl emergency squad. Ken and his wife Pat serve in Secular Franciscan Order in their winter home of Sun City, Fl, while also spending their spring and summers in Muncie, IN. He was the editor in chief for the NATA Journal of Athletic Training from 1979 -1984 and was inducted into the Ohio Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 1992.