Kinesiology prof named Fulbright Scholar to Ireland for 2009-10
Published in Faculty / Staff, In the News
Kinesiology professor Michael Ferrara will share his knowledge and expertise in the field of athletic training with an international audience as a Fulbright Scholar during spring semester 2010.
Ferrara, director of UGA’s athletic training education program, will travel to Dublin City University, Ireland, to teach athletic training and research sport-related concussion.
Ferrara, who also directs the St. Mary’s Hospital Athletic Training Research and Education Laboratory at UGA, was recently named to the National Athletic Training Association’s (NATA) Hall of Fame.
“I have learned so much in all my travels, but more importantly, I have met many wonderful people,” Ferrara said. “The greatest satisfaction I get in teaching and research is when I see the students ‘get it.’”
Ferrara came to UGA in 1998 to establish a world-class athletic training education curriculum and a graduate sports medicine program.
The undergraduate athletic training program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Students in the program pursue careers in professional, college/university, high school and sports medicine clinics.
Ferrara received the Outstanding Educator Award from Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association in 2006. He was named a Fellow of the National Athletic Trainers Association in 2008 and the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education in 2003. The NATA recognized Ferrara as the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2003 and as the Sayers “Bud” Miller Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from NATA in 2001.
Ferrara has a diverse and rich background in athletic training. He has served on the NATA’s Board of Certification since 2006. He was founding president of the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFAT), serving from 2000-05, and chair of the WFAT Task Force for NATA since 1997. He was director of medical operation for the Atlanta Paralympic Games (1995-96), and director of medical services for the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games and United States Disabled Sports Team at the World Athletics Championships (1994).
Before coming to UGA, Ferrara was coordinator of the athletic training education program at Ball State University from 1985-98. He received his doctorate in exercise science from Penn State University in 1990.
Michael Ferrara has been named a Fulbright Scholar to Ireland for 2009-10.