The athletic training staffs at Abilene Christian University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University were honored by their peers with the third annual Lone Star Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year awards for the 2006-07 academic year.

      Abilene Christian was presented the athletic training award for the LSC South Division, which consists of seven member institutions in Texas and one in New Mexico.  ACU's program is led by J.D. Dunavant with help from associate athletic trainer Amber Scharf and full-time assistants Elizabeth Heyer and Billy Abbe.

      Southwestern Oklahoma was awarded the athletic training award for the LSC North Division, representing the six members from Oklahoma and another from Texas.  SWOSU's athletic training staff is under the direction of Michael Catterson, with help from head trainer Jody Rickey, assistant trainer Kris Mahlock and clinical coordinator Jessica Young.

      The LSC Athletic Training Staff of the Year awards will be presented annually to the top institution in both the North and South Divisions as voted by the head athletic trainer of each member institution.

      The purpose of the award is to raise awareness of the athletic training profession. Criteria for the award include the athletic training staff's hospitality toward visiting athletic trainers and teams; preparedness with supplies, equipment and services for visiting athletic trainers and teams; preparedness for emergency situations; and care for injured athletes from visiting teams.