Fullerton College Honors Bill Chambers
The Fullerton College Athletic Department recognized former teacher, athletic trainer and mentor Bill Chambers for his 38 years of dedication to Fullerton College and his contributions to the Athletic Training profession. Bill was honored on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 1:00 pm during halftime of the 91st “Key to the County” football game vs. Santa Ana College by naming the athletic training room after him.
During the event a bronze plaque with Bill’s likeness was be presented to him and later placed on the outside of the athletic training room in the 1200 building. The Fullerton College Athletic Department sought donations to help cover the cost of the plaque and other memorabilia that will be hung in the athletic training room.
The game started off with Bill conducting the opening coin toss with a vintage coin used by the [then] Big 8 Officials. The coin was given to Bill after it was used for the toss at the 1962 Oklahoma vs. Missouri game.
Throughout Bill’s career he has received many distinguished awards including:
- 1962-2000 Fullerton College Head Athletic Trainer
- One of the first members of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA)
- Raised over two million dollars for student athletic trainer national scholarships
- Charter member of the Far West Athletic Trainer’s Association (FWATA) Hall of Fame
- 2011 First Athletic Trainer inducted into the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Hall of Fame
- Voted National Junior College Athletic Trainer of the Year five times between 1976 and 1982
- Inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Hall of Fame (the first Junior College athletic trainer to receive the honor)
- Inducted into the Limestone County Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
- 2008 Fullerton College Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee
- 1986 National Football Foundation Award for dedication and service to Athletic Training
- Elected to 2 terms as President of the National Athletic Trainers Association (currently 33,000 members)
Bill retired in 2000 and is still regarded as a legend by those in the field of athletic training and sports medicine. He has served as president/director of many organizations related to athletic training/sports medicine such as Mobile Sports Medicine Systems (a company serving professional rodeo, Indy Car racing, and NASCAR) as well as NATA itself.
Courtesy of Lisa Nelson
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