General | 6/8/2022 11:53:00 AM
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Westminster head athletic trainer,
Rick Hackford, is the 2021-22 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Wayne Barger Athletic Trainer of the Year, the league announced Thursday.
"Congratulations to Rick and his athletic training team on this well-deserved recognition by the RMAC! Rick cares a great deal about our student-athletes and the level of care he and his staff provide daily exudes that. I'm very appreciative of Rick's work and leadership, and again congratulate him on this honor," said Director of Athletics,
Shay Wyatt.
Hackford recently completed his 18th year at Westminster following the conclusion of the 2021-22 academic year, helping the Griffins to an 11th place finish in the RMAC All-Sports Cup competition. He has been crucial in codifying student-athlete health and safety protocols, including RMAC air quality measures, which are meant to ensure outdoor sports performers are competing in optimal outdoor conditions. Hackford was also a key figure on the RMAC's Student-Athlete Health and Safety Committee, which implemented procedures that helped the league safely return to competition on the heels of the global pandemic.
Prior to his current role at Westminster, Hackford obtained his degree from Southern Utah University in 2003, where he earned a degree in physical education with an emphasis in athletic training. He then completed a graduate assistant position at Utah State University in the 2003-04 academic year.
Hackford, becomes the fifth different trainer to win this award and the first time winner for Westminster College.
The Wayne Barger award was first established in the 2017-18 academic school year and was named after former Fort Lewis College Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Sports Medicine, Wayne Barger. Recipients of this honor demonstrate commitment to ideals set forth by the RMAC and member institutions and act ethically to assure proper health and safety for the student-athletes under their care. Each head athletic trainer from around the league submits one vote for this award and is not permitted to vote for themselves.
RECIPIENTS OF THE WAYNE BARGER ATHLETIC TRAINER AWARD
2021-22 – Rick Hackford, Westminster
2020-21 – Jennifer McIntosh, Colorado School of Mines
2019-20 – Tony Silva, Black Hills State
2018-19 – Don Watt, Chadron State
2017-18 – Wayne Barger, Fort Lewis
About the RMAC
The RMAC is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15-member schools, located in Colorado Springs, Colo. The RMAC sponsors 21 varsity NCAA sports and has produced 62 NCAA Division II national champions and 52 national runners-up since 1992.
