Ferrara Named NATA's Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Michael Ferrara, the University of Georgia’s curriculum director for athletic training and the current president of the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy, recently received the Most Distinguished Athletic Training Award at the National Athletic Trainers Association’s (NATA) annual convention in St. Louis, Mo. “It’s hard to put into words what this means to me,” Ferrara said. “It’s always nice to receive accolades, especially for something you enjoy doing – working with students and other health care professionals from around the world.” Ferrara, who is a professor of exercise science in UGA’s College of Education, has been a leader in the athletic training field for more than two decades and was honored for his excellence in teaching, research and service. He served as curriculum director at Ball State University for 13 years before coming to UGA in 1998 to begin an athletic training program here, in cooperation with the UGA Athletic Department. During that span, he helped more than 200 students receive their NATA certification.   Ferrara has been very active in research and has published in leading sports medicine journals. He has international expertise in sport epidemiology for athletes with disabilities and is currently pursuing research in the evaluation and treatment of sport-related concussions. He received NATA’s Outstanding Educator Award in 2001. Ferrara has served on the International Paralympic Committee's Sport Science Committee as the expert in sport medicine issues for athletes with disabilities. He was Director of Medical Operations for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games and served as medical coordinator to the U.S. medical team for the 1994 World Athletic Championships and the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games.   Ferrara received his doctorate from Penn State University, master’s from Michigan State University and bachelor’s from Ithaca College in New York. He earned his NATA certification in 1980 and served three years as the athletic trainer at Northwestern University before going to Ball State. Monday, July 21, 2003 WRITER: Mike Mobley, 706/542-1621, mmobley@sports.uga.edu CONTACT: Michael Ferrara, 706/542-4801, mferrara@coe.uga.edu