Ball State’s Neal Hazen Honored as DI Head Athletic Trainer of the Year
June 26, 2019 | General
Hazen has served Ball State since 1986, including the past 23 years as head ATC
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Neal Hazen, a two-time Ball State alumnus with 32 years of professional devotion to his alma mater, was honored Wednesday as the NCAA Division I Head Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM).
Hazen was presented with his award in conjunction with the 70th annual National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) convention in Las Vegas. He was selected as the year's top head athletic trainer among nearly 350 Division I programs in the country.
Each year the ICSM recognizes individuals across all college divisions for active involvement in their community or campus and athletic training associations and for promotion of their profession. Last year's NCAA Division I recipient was Alabama's Jeff Allen.
Hazen oversees the athletic training efforts for Ball State's 19 sports, shepherding a team of 10 full-time staff members. He serves as the athletic department's liaison with team doctors and sports medicine providers.
Hazen was instrumental in the formation and leadership of Ball State's Campus Assessment Resource Education (CARE) Team, which exists to promote student-athlete well-being and safety. The team seeks to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with students exhibiting concerning behaviors or thoughts.
"Neal is a quiet leader," Ball State assistant athletic trainer Troy Hershman said. "He does a lot of things behind the scenes that a lot of people don't see to benefit the athletic department and the university. That's what makes him so deserving. His leadership went above and beyond this year in a lot of ways."
Hershman, the Ball State men's basketball athletic trainer, also praised Hazen for his compassion and selflessness in dealing with both his staff and student-athletes.
Hazen earned his bachelor's degree in physical therapy from Ball State in 1986 and added an MBA in 1994. He joined the Ball State staff as an assistant athletic trainer in 1987 and was promoted to head athletic trainer in 1996.
Hazen is a member of the Indiana Athletic Trainers' Association (IATA) Hall of Fame (2017) and the Cardinal Sports Medicine Ring of Honor (2006). He was named the IATA College and University Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2010 and received the NATA Service Award in 2006.
Hazen was presented with his award in conjunction with the 70th annual National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) convention in Las Vegas. He was selected as the year's top head athletic trainer among nearly 350 Division I programs in the country.
Each year the ICSM recognizes individuals across all college divisions for active involvement in their community or campus and athletic training associations and for promotion of their profession. Last year's NCAA Division I recipient was Alabama's Jeff Allen.
Hazen oversees the athletic training efforts for Ball State's 19 sports, shepherding a team of 10 full-time staff members. He serves as the athletic department's liaison with team doctors and sports medicine providers.
Hazen was instrumental in the formation and leadership of Ball State's Campus Assessment Resource Education (CARE) Team, which exists to promote student-athlete well-being and safety. The team seeks to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with students exhibiting concerning behaviors or thoughts.
"Neal is a quiet leader," Ball State assistant athletic trainer Troy Hershman said. "He does a lot of things behind the scenes that a lot of people don't see to benefit the athletic department and the university. That's what makes him so deserving. His leadership went above and beyond this year in a lot of ways."
Hershman, the Ball State men's basketball athletic trainer, also praised Hazen for his compassion and selflessness in dealing with both his staff and student-athletes.
Hazen earned his bachelor's degree in physical therapy from Ball State in 1986 and added an MBA in 1994. He joined the Ball State staff as an assistant athletic trainer in 1987 and was promoted to head athletic trainer in 1996.
Hazen is a member of the Indiana Athletic Trainers' Association (IATA) Hall of Fame (2017) and the Cardinal Sports Medicine Ring of Honor (2006). He was named the IATA College and University Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2010 and received the NATA Service Award in 2006.
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