John Whitmer Inducted Into The Indiana Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall Of Fame
Veteran Notre Dame athletic trainer to be honored by IATA on July 9th.

June 27, 2001

Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame athletic trainer John Whitmer has been selected for induction into the Indiana Athletic Trainers’ Association (IATA). The veteran trainer, now in his 32nd season at Notre Dame, will be honored at the IATA’s Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet in Indianapolis on July 9th.

Whitmer is the second Notre Dame athletic trainer to be inducted into the IATA Hall of Fame as he joins former Irish trainer Gene Paszkiet, who was inducted in 1994.

One of two inductees this year, Whitmer originally worked specifically with the Notre Dame hockey program while assisting Paszkiet with football and other Irish varsity sports, after joining the Notre Dame training staff in August of 1969. He holds the unique distinction of serving as the athletic trainer for hockey in all but one season in the 33-year history of the program.

Following a decade as an assistant Irish athletic trainer, Whitmer took over full administrative responsibility for the athletic training program beginning in July of 1979. During his seven years as head trainer, Whitmer watched the expansion of the training staff to include four full-time assistants – in addition to the expertise of Notre Dame’s sports medicine staff – prior to turning over the administrative reins to Jim Russ in the summer of ’86.

The dean of the Irish training staff, Whitmer earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan in physical education and received a master’s degree from the same institution in 1968. He was awarded an honorary monogram in May of 1991 by the Notre Dame National Monogram Club, in recognition of his years of service to Irish athletic teams.

He has also held administrative duties at the Rockne Memorial athletic building during his tenure on the University of Notre Dame campus.

Born June 18, 1944, Whitmer spent one year as head athletic trainer for the football team at Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, prior to coming to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame Director of Athletics Kevin White said, “There is no bigger honor than to be honored by your peers and John is very deserving of this award from the Indiana Athletic Trainers’ Association. His service to the University of Notre Dame and its student-athletes has been exemplary. I congratulate him on his service and dedication to his profession.”

Induction into the IATA Hall of Fame is awarded to IATA members who have been nominated by a peer and have worked at an institution in Indiana for at least 15 years. A Nominee is active in advancing the profession of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine, is a well-respected member of the community and makes contributions to the athletes and athletics of Indiana.