WFATT Impact Award Winners Series, Part 1 of 5:
Award Winner: Rick Griffin
Rick was named the Mariners Head Athletic Trainer in 1983, and served in that capacity for 35 years until 2016. He was then given the Title of Mariners Athletic Trainer Emeritus for the next three years, overseeing the medical aspects of the MLB draft for the Mariners until his retirement in 2019.
- 2018: Awarded the Al “Moose” Clausen Community Service Award
- 1999: awarded the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society Award
Rick has made 25 trips to Japan with MLB Teams and has been an advisor to Japanese teams and trainers in Japan over the last 3 decades. He has also served as a trainer at an All-Star game in each of the last 4 decades.
A wealth of experience and knowledge, Rick continues to contribute to the AT profession globally through numerous channels.
Nominators:
Ron Porterfield
Ron is entering his sixth year as Director of Player Health with the Los Angeles Dodgers after serving the previous twelve years as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Tampa Bay Rays, and three years as the Assistant Athletic Trainer before that. He is also the president elect of PBATS.
Larry Starr
Larry is the President - Starr Athletic Solutions and the lead ATC Injury Spotter with the NFL. He is well known for his vision, and the creation of, the entire sports medicine element of Nova Southeastern University athletics, embedding the concept of the Sports Medicine Interdisciplinary Team. He also served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Florida Marlins from 1993-2001 and the Cincinnati Reds for 21 years prior to that.