Pinky Newell Address
William E. “Pinky” Newell is described aptly, as the father of modern athletic training, and the plaudit is highly deserved. He spent most of his career paving the path for future athletic trainers, leaving his mark on practically every aspect of the profession - from the educational component of athletic training to the NATA Hall of Fame. He had a vision of what athletic training and the NATA should be and how both the profession and the association should progress in the future. Pinky Newell’s blueprint of the profession remains virtually intact today.
Born in Enid, OK and raised in Stafford, KS, Pinky Newell graduated from Purdue University where he played football. After serving his country in World War II, Newell completed his certificate in physical therapy from Stanford University. In 1948, he took his first job as an athletic trainer at Washington State University. A year later he was named the head athletic trainer at his alma mater. He held this position until his retirement in 1984.
Pinky Newell was the leader of leaders. He blazed a path for those athletic trainers who will carry their profession into the next century. In recognition of his outstanding achievements and with appreciation of his many friends in NATA Districts 1 & 2, the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association along with Johnson & Johnson has established the annual William E. “Pinky” Newell Memorial Address.
CRITERIA:
1. Certified Athletic Trainer and member of District 1 or 2. (Nominees for outside the EATA could be considered but a strong case would need to be presented for serious consideration).
2. Individual who has demonstrated a lifelong (no set time) commitment to the Athletic Training Profession.
3. Individual who has demonstrated the commitment of continued learning and professional growth.
4. Individual who has demonstrated an impact on the Athletic Training Profession outside of their Athletic Training Setting:
Professional Involvement on the State, EATA or National level.
Education: has been willing to communicate their knowledge and experiences to others through speaking, writing and research endeavors.
5. Individual who has demonstrated a balanced life style with involvement outside the professional area: family, community, social, etc.
The criteria are those which include many of the attributes of "Pinky" but are also attributes of what we want the "Role Model" Athletic Training Professional to exhibit to others.
PLAQUE INSCRIPTION: As executive secretary of NATA, Pinky was instrumental in convincing the members of the Eastern association to join the NATA to form a truly National organization of Athletic Trainers. Without his guidance and leadership, National progress as an organization could not have been assured.
For this outstanding achievement, and with appreciation of his many friends in NATA districts one and two, the EATA had established the annual William E. "Pinky" Newell Memorial Address.
2026 Pinky Newell Address
The 2026 William E. “Pinky” Newell Address
will be presented by:
Timothy Weston
Colby College, Director of Sports Medicine
Past Recipients
(Select Name to View Address)
1984- Address from Pinky at NATA
1987- Dr. Loyal Combs
1988- Dr. Stanley Hoppenfeld
1989- Robert Behnke
1990- Janice Daniels
1991- Dr. Daniel Arnheim
1992- Dick Malacrea
1993- Frank George
1994- Philip Donley
1995- Carl Nelson
1996- Ted Quedenfeld
1997- Otho L. Davis
1998- Jack Baynes & Mike Linkovich
1999- Carl Krein
2000- Paul Grace
2001- Chad Starkey
2002- Joe Godek
2003- Dave Perrin
2004- Jeff Ryan
2005- Peter Koehneke
2006- Marjorie King
2007- Charles Redmond
2008- Joseph Iezzi
2009- Kent Scriber
2010- Steve Bair
2011- Michael Goldenberg
2012- J. Timothy Sensor
2013- Charles Thompson
2014- Kathleen Laquale
2015- Paula Sammarone Turocy
2016- Paul Ullucci
2017- James Thornton
2018- Mark Smaha
2019- Kevin Guskiewicz
2020- Denise Fandel
2021- R. Mark Laursen
2022- Jeff Stone
2023- No Speaker
2024- AJ Duffy III
2025- Sue Guyer
