Michigan State University Athletics
Carrier Elected to NATA Hall of Fame
2/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING - Michigan State associate head athletic trainer Dave Carrier has been elected to the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, it was recently announced by the organization. Carrier is in his 31st season as the athletic trainer of the Spartan hockey team.
Carrier will be enshrined in the NATA Hall of Fame in June at the organization's annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri.
"It's an honor to be recognized by your peers for your body of work, actions and leadership," Carrier said. "I have worked at Michigan State University for the past 31 years; it means everything to me and has given me everything. Without MSU, I would not be in a position to receive such a great honor from NATA. The University has afforded me professional growth, personal friendships beyond belief, the chance to be a part of two NCAA championship teams and Olympic Games. I'm proud to help young men and women succeed with their dreams both athletically and academically."
Carrier is the third athletic trainer currently at MSU to be elected to the NATA Hall of Fame, joining head athletic trainer Dr. Sally Nogle and Dr. John Powell. Carrier is the eighth trainer to have worked at MSU to be voted into the NATA Hall of Fame.
"Dave is very deserving of this honor. He is a respected educator, clinician, and mentor," Nogle said.
A certified member of NATA, Carrier came to MSU from Ferris State where he served as assistant coordinator of sports medicine for five years. He received a bachelor's of science degree in physical education from Ferris in 1979 and a master's degree in athletic training from Central Michigan in 1983.
Carrier's long and distinguished career makes him not only one of the longest-tenured, but most respected athletic trainers in hockey. He was chosen in 2007 to become an Honored Member of the Cambridge Who's Who, which recognizes executives and professionals from around the country. In 2005, Carrier received the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award at the NATA convention and was inducted into the Michigan Athletics Trainers Hall of Fame. The 1992 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award winner has served as President of the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society.
Carrier has a long history of international experience as well, having served as the athletic trainer for the 1988 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. He also worked the 1992 Olympic Games, serving as trainer for the ski jumpers and Nordic track athletes. In 1990, he served as the head athletic trainer for the U.S. Hockey Team at the World Championship in Bern, Switzerland.
"I can't tell you what a significant factor he is in our program," MSU hockey head coach Tom Anastos said. "He continues to keep guys healthy through his progressive and evolving methods over all these years. Dave is an extremely important part of our program and we're thrilled he's receiving this honor because it is well-deserved."
Carrier was a 1997 Michigan Athletic Trainers Distinguished Award winner and in 1998 earned the Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association for his dedication and contributions to the profession. Also in 1998, Carrier earned the Research and Education Foundation's inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award and was named an honorary member of the MSU Varsity S Club. Most recently, Carrier, along with MSU colleagues Dr. John Powell and Nogle, were honored by the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association (GLATA) with its Outstanding Educator Award in the spring of 2012.
