Mentone Native Being Inducted Into Athletic Trainers H.O.F.
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Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
BLOOMINGTON – For nearly 40 years, Kip Smith’s profession has allowed him to remain behind the scenes. On June 28 in St. Louis, however, the Mentone native will certainly be in the spotlight when he is inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. “It means a lot to be recognized for all my efforts and leadership service over the years,” Smith said in a story published on iuhoosiers.com. “I’m excited about it, honored by it and humbled from it all.” Smith graduated from Indiana State University in 1973 with a BS in Physical Education/Athletic Training and later received his MEd in Physical Education/Athletic Training from the University of Arizona. After serving as the head football trainer for the University of Pittsburgh, Smith took the same position at Indiana University in 1983. In 1987, he became the head athletic trainer for the Hoosiers, a position he still holds. Smith has experienced 14 college football Bowl games and has been on the corner of the mat for a number of NCAA wrestling title matches. On a daily basis, Smith has to balance administrative duties as well as the clinical needs of the student-athletes. “The administrative side is really a full-time position by itself because of managing facilities, personnel, policies and procedures, drug testing, risk management and so on to keep the sports medicine program rolling,” Smith said in the internet article. “But my favorite part of the day is the clinical aspect,” Smith continued. “It’s what I do best, what I enjoy. Working with student-athletes on a daily basis, to me, that’s just fun.” Smith will be the third athletic trainer from Indiana University to be inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame, joining Dwayne Dixon (1970) and John Schrader (1998). Smith and his wife, Debbie, have one daughter, Stacey, one son, Jason, and three grandchildren.
