Phoenix Suns Trainer Aaron Nelson Named Athletic Trainer of the Year

No real surprise here based on what Aaron's did to keep Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Shaquille O'Neal on the court last season. Full release after the jump.

Phoenix Suns Head Athletic Trainer Named Athletic Trainer of the Year by National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA)

Aaron Nelson is recognized as the 2008-2009 National Basketball Association Athletic Trainer of the Year by the NBATA for His Success in Working with Suns

Phoenix, Ariz. (September 18, 2009)— The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) announced the Phoenix Suns very own Aaron Nelson as the 2008-2009 Joe O’Toole NBA  Athletic Trainer of the Year.  This honor is bestowed on Nelson by his fellow NBATA members because of his accomplishments in injury prevention and the effective rehabilitation of Suns players throughout the season.  The award is named in honor of Joe O'Toole, former athletic trainer of the Atlanta Hawks and catalyst for the formation of the NBATA.

"Aaron has shown immense dedication to the league and the safety and health of its players," said Wally Blasé, NBATA chairman.  "For well over a decade he has used his education and experiences to not only advance the skills of players on the court, but to help improve the abilities of the trainers around him."   

The Phoenix Suns this season enter their 42nd season of play in the National Basketball Association. One of the most successful franchises in league history, the Suns own the NBA's fourth-highest all-time winning percentage. A member of the organization since 1993, Aaron Nelson is in his 10th season as only the second head athletic trainer in franchise history after replacing Suns Ring of Honor member Joe Proski in 2000.

"Aaron has done a terrific job for the Suns’ organization over the years, and we’re thrilled that he is receiving this honor," said Steve Kerr, Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager.  "It is well deserved—he’s one of the best athletic trainers in the NBA." 

The training techniques used by Nelson and his team are part of the National Academy of Sports Medicine’s (NASM) Corrective Exercise and Optimum Performance Training (OPT) models.  Designed to not only look at what’s wrong with an athlete, these models ask "why is it injured?"    The OPT-based training program is safe, progressive and personalized to meet each player’s needs and specific goals. 

"Working alongside Aaron and his skilled athletic training team has been a pleasure," said Dr. Micheal Clark, NASM chief executive officer and Phoenix Suns head physical therapist.  "His professionalism and effectiveness in working with the players makes him an excellent choice to receive this honor." 

Nelson will be formally recognized next year in a ceremony preceding the Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns game on February 19, 2010.  In the mean time a duplicate of the award has been sent to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA, where it will be on display throughout the 2009-2010 season in the NBATA hall of fame section. 

The 2008-2009 season commemorates Nelson’s 15^th Season with the Phoenix Suns, his tenth as the organization’s head athletic trainer.  Prior to the NBA, Nelson was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Arizona State University.  Well equipped to provide athletic healthcare, Nelson earned certification credentials from multiple certifying agencies and serves on the performance advisory board of NASM. 

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About the Suns

The Phoenix Suns this season enter their 42^nd season of play in the National Basketball Association.  One of the most successful franchises in league history, the Suns own the NBA’s fourth-highest all-time winning percentage.  Founded in 1968, the Suns are the longest tenured professional sports franchise in the Valley of the Sun with an influence that extends to the local community through philanthropic efforts like Phoenix Suns Charities and the NBA Cares program.  For more information, visit www.nba.com/suns.  

About NBATA

The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) is a professional organization of highly skilled certified athletic trainers who provide specialized health care and critical support services to the athletes and organizations of the National Basketball Association.  The NBTA is dedicated to enhancing the professional stability of its members by maintaining an atmosphere of trust, support, motivation and involvement.

About NASM®

Since 1987, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a global leader in personal training certification and sports performance training, has been providing evidence-based certifications and advanced credentials for health and fitness professionals.  To learn more visit www.nasm.org or call 1.800.460.NASM (6276).