Steve Westereng inducted into North Dakota Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Steve Westereng, Chair of the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences Department of Sports Medicine, is the latest Hall of Fame inductee for the North Dakota Athletic Trainers Association (NDATA).
"I serve as the Chair of the NDATA Honors and Awards Committee and I’m usually involved in the process of giving the awards out,” said Westereng, adding that he knew nothing about the award until it was a done-deal. “I was shocked at the time to even be considered, much less receive the award. Past winners have been mentors of mine and they have done so much for athletic training in the state of North Dakota.”
An NDATA member since 1999, Westereng served as the organization’s President from 2013 to 2016 and was NDATA Executive Director from 2016 to 2019. In this latter capacity, Westereng represented NDATA at Mid-America Athletic Trainer's Association (MAATA) meetings.
“To be recognized by your peers in the profession is an honor I truly appreciate,” said the Minot, N.D., native, who has been faculty in the Department of Sports Medicine since 1999 and chair since 2003.
Among his career highlights, said Westereng, was testifying before North Dakota Legislative Assembly on North Dakota Century Code revisions for athletic trainers in 2015. This change in state law, combined with the action of other NDATA members, “resulted in the NDATA receiving a national award from the National Athletic Trainers Association Governmental Affairs Council for legislative/regulatory action.”
Explaining how Westereng “has been instrumental in progress made by the NDATA in improving the profession for our athletic trainers and the athletes” in North Dakota, NDATA President Alyssa Albrecht lauded her longtime colleague.
“Steve has served on a variety of state and local committees and has also held many board positions over the years,” Albrecht wrote. “I could go on about Steve’s accomplishments and dedication, but the bottom line is that this award is well deserved. Congratulations again, Steve!”
According to the NDATA, to be eligible for Hall of Fame nomination, living candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Claim 25 years of active athletic training in North Dakota and be licensed in North Dakota or have retired status.
- Claim 20 years of active athletic training in North Dakota and have been on a state committee or on the Executive Board – while contributing to the profession through publication, speaking, or participation in association projects.
- Have been nominated via write-in petition signed by 75% of association membership.
- Have already been inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame.
Westereng claimed more than one of these requirements, prompting UND’s Vice President for Health Affairs and School of Medicine & Health Sciences Dean Dr. Marjorie Jenkins to congratulate her colleague.
“Dr. Westereng’s leadership has elevated athletic training at UND and across North Dakota for years,” said Jenkins. “His dedication to the profession over the past two decades has provided learners and student athletes with invaluable knowledge, mentoring, and service. His induction into the NDATA Hall of Fame is a well-deserved tribute.”
The NDATA will present Westereng with his award plaque during the Oct. 11 UND Fighting Hawks football game at Alerus Center in Grand Forks – where the athletic trainer-educator will already be working hard to keep student athletes safe.
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Brian James Schill
Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu | www.UND.edu