Feb. 11, 2011
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Dr. David Bankoff and Dr. Willard Yergler, who have combined for 66 years of service to the University of Notre Dame athletics department and most notably to the football program, are retiring as team physicians for the Irish athletics program. South Bend Orthopaedics made the announcement today.
Dr. Bankoff started working with Notre Dame athletics in 1981 and with the 2010 football season concluded his 30th year of service to the University’s sports programs. Since 1983, he has served as Associate Director of Sports Medicine and also as a football team physician. In 2003, he was awarded an honorary membership in the Notre Dame Monogram Club, which is comprised of individuals who have earned the University’s varsity athletic insignia for their athletic or team support endeavors.
Originally from Chicago, Ill., Dr. Bankoff attended Northwestern University. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1974 and joined South Bend Orthopaedics in 1978. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, a fellow of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, current member of the National Board of Counselors for the American Society of Sports Medicine — and a past president of the Indiana Orthopaedic Society.
Dr. Willard Yergler
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In the fall of 2010, Dr. Yergler quietly announced his retirement after 36 years – working with seven different Irish head coaches – as a Notre Dame football team physician. In 1974, Dr. Yergler started with the football program and also has treated athletes from all the sports. Besides a legacy of treating injured athletes, Dr. Yergler also personally sponsors a senior student athletic trainer award each year. In 2001 he was inducted into the Notre Dame Monogram Club as an honorary member.
Dr. Yergler grew up in Valparaiso, Ind., and attended Purdue University. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1967 and joined South Bend Orthopaedics in 1971. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, a fellow of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a fellow of the American Society of Sports Medicine, and a past Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Notre Dame.
South Bend Orthopaedics has a long tradition of providing orthopedic care to Notre Dame athletes, beginning in 1949 when Dr. Leslie Bodnar joined the sports medicine program for Notre Dame athletics. There are currently six SBO surgeons working as team physicians with Notre Dame.
South Bend Orthopaedics is led by a team of board-certified surgeons and physicians offering excellence in comprehensive orthopedic and sports medicine care. SBO provides specialties in joint replacement, hand, spine, podiatry, sports medicine, and rehabilitation therapy to patients in the Michiana area with offices in South Bend, Mishawaka, Plymouth and La Porte. Visit www.sbortho.com for more information.
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