Thomas G. Weidner, coordinator of Ball State's athletic training program, will receive the Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator Award from the National Athletic Trainer's Association Education Council. He will be honored June 25-26 at the organization's national symposium in St. Louis, Mo.

"As a blind person who has won this prestigious award in my field, I would like to thank the many colleagues, students, family members and friends who enabled me to accomplish the many steps towards this achievement," Weidner said.

The reputation of Ball State's athletic training education program as one of the best in the country also can be attributed to Weidner's hard work and dedication, said Mitchell H. Whaley, chair of the School of Physical Education.

"It looks as though NATA found out what we here at Ball State have known for a long time: that Tom is an outstanding teacher and scholar," Whaley said. "His colleagues around the country consider him a leading authority in curricular development for athletic training programs.

"Graduates of the athletic training program are highly sought after, and this is directly attributable to Tom's efforts in building a quality program here at Ball State," he said.

The award recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence in the field of athletic training education. The award is named in honor of Miller, who was the first chair of the NATA Professional Education Committee.

The National Athletic Trainer's Association represents and supports 30,000 members of the athletic training profession through education and research. Certified athletic trainers are medical professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physically active.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Weidner at tweidner@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5309. For more stories, visit the Ball State University News Center at www.bsu.edu/news.)