---- Dr. Brian Hortz -------- Dr. Eric Winters ----

Denison University athletic trainers Dr. Brian Hortz and Dr. Eric Winters were honored at the annual Ohio Athletic Trainers Association Awards Banquet on May 8, 2009.  Hortz was selected as the 2008-09 Ohio Athletic Trainer of the Year and Winters received the Linda Weber Daniel Outstanding Mentor Award.

Hortz is the second Denison athletic trainer to receive the coveted award from the OATA.  His mentor, Dale Googins, was named the Ohio Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1986.  Hortz was selected for the award thanks to his outstanding contributions to the profession of athletic training at the state and national level. He has also excelled in the classroom through authored publications, presentations and in his preparation of future athletic trainers.  A 1994 graduate of Denison, Hortz is in his 12th year at DU and his 10th as the head athletic trainer. Last fall he was promoted to Associate Professor of Physical Education.

Winters was selected as the fourth recipient of the Linda Weber Daniel Outstanding Mentor Award which is given to athletic trainer professionals who have demonstrated love of the profession and a urge to seek out teaching opportunities for both peers and students, alike.  Winters was selected for the award through three narrative essays from peers and students which explained how their professional growth had been directly impacted through his involvement and teachings.

Winters is in his 15th year at Denison and his 10th as a faculty member.  After spending nine years as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Winters was promoted to Associate Professor last fall. He is a 1991 graduate of Otterbein College.  Winters went on to earn his masters from Ohio University in 1992 and his PhD from Ohio State in 2001.