AC affiliate inducted into National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame
Posted Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Author: Mickey Alvarado
Having one of their own inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame on February 8, has Adrian College’s Athletic Training Department staff bursting with pride and counting their blessings for the connection they have with the honored recipient, Darryl Conway, a close affiliate who has been an adjunct professor for the college’s graduate program.
Conway began working with Adrian College’s Athletic Training Graduate Program in 2014, just one year after he was hired as the Senior Associate Athletic Director, and Chief Health and Welfare Officer at the University of Michigan. He oversees all of U-M’s athletic training, strength and conditioning, mental health services, nutrition and dietitian units, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and equipment operations. Conway is now in his 11th year at Michigan and in his 31st year overall as a certified athletic trainer.
Conway is the eighth African American inductee in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame and the 15th person of color to be inducted, University of Michigan Athletics noted on its website.
He co-taught courses with Adrian College Professor and Athletic Training Program Director, Tina Claiborne, Ph.D., and has served as a clinical preceptor to her department’s students, facilitating their ability to work clinically with University of Michigan Athletics.
“He has donated countless hours to our program and students, and is an incredible leader in the field,” Claiborne said. “We are extremely grateful for his service and expertise, and proud to call him our friend.”
Over the years, Conway has been able to employ Adrian College graduates Keenan Robinson (’02), Dr. Anthony Rossi (’15), Jaclyn Young (’15), Caroline Fleming (’21), and Hannah Heller (’23) as assistant athletic trainers at U-M.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to be considered part of the Adrian Athletic Training community,” Conway said. “I have enjoyed being a small part of the program’s success as well as having the ability to educate and, most importantly, mentor our great students.”
Adrian College Exercise Science and Athletic Training Professor Victor Liberi said Conway has sat on several thesis committees for Adrian College, chaired its state and national diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, and currently serves as a friend and mentor to many of the faculty, staff, and students.
“We are a much better program as a result of his direct contributions,” Liberi said. “Darryl [Conway] is a natural educator and leader. He is our profession’s ultimate advocate in that his primary focus is planning and responding to the worst emergency situations that can occur in athletics. His quote, ‘if it’s predictable, it’s manageable’ is forever imbedded in the memory of our students. We are very fortunate to have Darryl Conway on our faculty and as a member of our community!”
For more information about Adrian College’s Athletic Training program, visit adrian.edu.
