University News
WIU Grad, Industry Native Inducted Into IL Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame
January 10, 2007
MACOMB, IL -- Steve Mayo, a 1985 graduate of Western Illinois University's athletic training education program and a 1980 Industry (IL) High School graduate, was recently inducted into the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association (IATA) Hall of Fame.
Mayo, the athletic training coordinator at Wheaton North High School, was recognized for his active practice and services to the profession. In order to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, a trainer must have a minimum of 15 years of active services and have made a history of providing quality person and professional contributions to the profession in the state of Illinois.
He has served as the athletic trainer and a biology teacher at Wheaton North since 1990. Prior to that he was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign while also working at the McKinley Health Center's Sports Injury Clinic and the Carle Clinic's Sports Medicine Department and Rehabilitation Education Services at the University of Illinois. Mayo has also served as the coordinator of the sports medicine department at The Monroe Clinic in Monroe, WI and as a high school biology teacher and athletic trainer at Lena-Winslow High School.
Mayo earned his master's degree in athletic training/sports management in August 1990 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a nationally and state certified athletic trainer and is a CPR/First Aid instructor. Mayo served as the membership director of the IATA from 1994 to 2000 and has been involved with the National Athletic Trainers Association's district meetings for many years. He has also worked at the Illinois High School Association wrestling state finals since 1993.
"Val Lindbloom taught me a lot of my athletic training skills in the classroom, and I was fortunate enough to work with her in the training room at WIU for two years," Mayo said. "Mike Pendergast supervised me during my junior and senior years at Western, and he taught me a great deal about the clinical side of the training room."
The WIU athletic training education program is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP). To graduate with an athletic training major, in addition to completing and passing all coursework, students must complete 800 hours of clinical education experiences.
Along with clinical hours, WIU students must also complete a 12-week internship during their final semester before graduation. This internship provides the students with the opportunity to work as an entry-level athletic trainer under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer while preparing for the national board exams.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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