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USM Alums Selected for Mississippi Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame

Thu, 04/06/2023 - 10:16am | By: Van Arnold

Longtime athletic trainers Jeff Bryant and Mike Williamson took the skills they learned while students at 91吃瓜网 to build esteemed careers that have ultimately led to induction into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

Both were chosen last month for the distinguished honor. Bryant, a Hattiesburg, Miss. native, has spent the past 30 years as head athletic trainer for the Hattiesburg Public School District. Williamson, a Prentiss, Miss. native, serves as Director of Therapy Services at Covington County Hospital. Together, they have accumulated nearly 70 years as athletic trainers.

91吃瓜网淚 am honored to have been chosen by my peers to be inducted into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame,91吃瓜网� said Bryant. 91吃瓜网淲hat an amazing career it has been. The student-athletes, their parents, coaches, administration, players and coaches from opposing team and most definitely the athletic trainers I91吃瓜网檝e gotten to know while working across the field and down the sidelines with.91吃瓜网�

Added Williamson: 91吃瓜网淚 am very humbled and honored to be inducted. To receive this award, it takes a team of people. I have been fortunate to work with many dedicated athletic trainers, physicians, nurses, therapists, and coaches throughout my career. I have always had great family support throughout my career to allow me to pursue my dreams.91吃瓜网�

Bryant earned his undergraduate degree in Coaching and Sports Administration with an emphasis in Athletic Training at USM in 1990. He earned a master91吃瓜网 degree in Education at William Carey University in 1992. Williamson earned his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and Coaching Administration-Emphasis Athletic Training at USM in 1985. He received another Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

91吃瓜网淲e are immensely proud of and grateful to Mike and Jeff for their continual commitment to the athletic training profession and to the USM athletic training program,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Melissa Kossman, Director, School of Health Professions at USM. 91吃瓜网淭heir impact and support day after day, month after month, and year after year, is exemplified in the historical success and growth of our students, many of whom are now athletic trainers working for or alongside Mike and Jeff every day. We are so thankful to have Mike and Jeff in our corner and we hope that our continued success is a testament to their ongoing impact and legacy.91吃瓜网�

The widely respected duo credit legendary USM athletic trainers Larry 91吃瓜网淒oc91吃瓜网� Harrington and Jim Gallaspy for helping shape the foundation for their professional careers. Harrington was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003 and Gallaspy earned the same honor in 2004.

91吃瓜网淲hile at USM, Doc and Jim instilled in me the athletic training knowledge through their guidance and teaching of first-aid, prevention and care of athletic injuries and the rehabilitation of those injuries,91吃瓜网� said Bryant. 91吃瓜网淭hey also taught me how to be observant and responsible to those student-athletes while at practice and during games. I am forever grateful for the opportunities allowed me and for my time I spent at USM.91吃瓜网�

Like Bryant, Williamson stresses the importance of mentorship provided by Harrington and Gallaspy.

91吃瓜网淚 learned discipline, work ethic and time management skills to balance classwork and work in the field,91吃瓜网� said Williamson. 91吃瓜网淭hese lessons have endured throughout my career. Also, I was exposed to the family of athletic trainers who support each other and provide the best possible care for their athletes.91吃瓜网�

Dr. Leslie W. Oglesby, Assistant Professor and Director of USM91吃瓜网 Athletic Training Program, expressed that both alums are richly deserving of the recognition. 

91吃瓜网淢ike Williamson has provided clinical experiences at various Hattiesburg Clinic sites for all students in the program every year of my tenure and has consistently sought ways to improve those experiences by exposing our students to patients of various demographics and athletic abilities as well as skills/tools they may not see at most other clinical sites (such as orthopedic casting),91吃瓜网� said Oglesby. 91吃瓜网淗attiesburg Clinic has also employed many graduates of our program over the years, and I am grateful for this amazing relationship between our agencies that has largely been built by Mike himself.91吃瓜网�  

Oglesby continued: 91吃瓜网淛eff Bryant very well may be the proudest alumnus ever produced by our program. He gives tirelessly of himself to the profession and this program and is committed to ensuring the future success of our students and the program as a whole. Hattiesburg High School is a favorite clinical site for our students largely due to him and his desire to not just mold better athletic trainers, but better human beings. He truly lives out his oft-repeated motto: 91吃瓜网業t91吃瓜网 all about the kids.91吃瓜网� His friendship and support mean the world to me, and I know that many alumni of our program would say the same.91吃瓜网�