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The following is a press release from the University of Utah athletic department. The press release announces that Utah athletic trainer Deb Willardson was named the 2013 Linda K. Amos Award winner for her distinguished service over the previous 35 years.
Utah athletic trainer Deb Willardson has been honored with the 2013 Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women at the University of Utah. A full-time member of the athletic training staff at the U. for more than 35 years, Willardson plans to retire in May. "It has been a great privilege to work with Deb all these years," said Director of Athletics Dr. Chris Hill. "I can't say enough good things about her. What stands out the most about Deb is that she cares so much for everyone and asks so little in return." Utah's Associate Director of Sports Medicine, Willardson is currently the athletic trainer for the Utah women's basketball team and supervises the athletic training for the volleyball team. Willardson has spent nearly her entire career with women's basketball and volleyball while also serving stints as the athletic trainer for the softball team and the cheerleading and dance squads. A standout in her profession, Willardson has served as an athletic trainer at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and pre-Olympic competitions in Park City, as well as a pair of National Sports Festivals. She was voted the College Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2003 and received the RMATA Hall of Fame Award for District 7 in 2009. In addition to her duties as an athletic trainer, she is an Adjunct Instructor for the U of U College of Health and a clinical instructor for Utah's Athletic Training Education program. An active member of the Salt Lake community, Willardson has appeared as a guest speaker in local schools on topics ranging from playground safety to wilderness medicine. Willardson received a bachelor's degree in 1975 from Utah State in PE/Health Education, with a teaching certificate in Secondary Education. The first female ever accepted into the University of Utah's athletic training program in 1975, she earned a master's degree from the U. in PE/Health Science, along with a athletic training certificate in 1977. Willardson was then hired as Utah's first female full-time athletic trainer by Fern Gardner, then Utah's women's athletics director, and a previous recipient of Linda K. Amos award. In 1992, Willardson earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the U. Outside of athletics, Willardson is an avid fly fisher who also enjoys reading, traveling and working out. Willardson is recognized alongside Dr. Joanne Yaffe, an Associate Professor of Social Work and Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry. The Amos Award recognizes female staff or faculty members at the University of Utah who have selflessly given time and energy to improve the educational and/or working environment for women at the university. Both Yaffe and Willardson epitomize the spirit of the Amos Award with their active demonstration of the principle that improving the educational working roles and lives of women improves the environment for all. Their long-standing commitment to mentoring young minds, especially women, students of color, and faculty, is worthy of note and celebration. The award comes as part of celebrating University of Utah Women's Week, March 25-29.
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