This $2500 scholarship honors Carl Nelson, head athletic trainer for Colby College from 1959-93, serving students as an athletic trainer, associate professor, and director of health services.  Nelson cared for Olympians in the 1972, 1976, and 1980 Winter Games. He was inducted into the MATA Hall of Fame in 2007 and the NATA Hall of Fame in 1986. Nelson was very involved with the community in the Waterville area. He volunteered at the Pine Tree Camp for many years and worked to get athletic trainers into secondary schools. He was the innovator for MaineGeneral Sports Medicine and found ways to keep the athletic trainers employed throughout the summers. Nelson was an avid outdoorsman, a true Maine guy. He enjoyed skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, and going to camp. He was creative, innovative, kind, and patient. He was soft-spoken, but was a prankster with a good sense of humor. 

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Nominating Instructions

• Each AT Program Director may submit no more than one nomination.

• AT Program Director must complete the AT Program Director Evaluation Form (LINK) by October 15

Applicant Criteria:  To be eligible for consideration the applicant must meet each of the following qualifications:

1. be a student member of the MATA and NATA District one for at least one year,

2. be enrolled in an accredited Athletic Training degree program within the state of Maine, 

3. Be strong academically, respectful to all around them, creative, innovative, patient, and take the time to teach and mentor students of lower levels. May also display a sense of humor, be a prankster, and have a hobby outside of athletic training and have a distinct quality that sets them apart from other students. 

4. distinguish themself academically with an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 based on a maximum 4.0 system or its equivalent,

5. upload a copy of their transcript and resume or CV in the Application, 

6. present their National Provider Identifier (NPI) in the Application,

7. conduct themself in a manner that brings credit to themself, to their institution, and to the athletic training profession, and

8. complete the ATS Scholarship Application (LINK) by October 15.

MATA scholarships will not be awarded to the same AT Student in consecutive years. Need shall not be a factor in the granting of this scholarship. AT Students receiving assistance from other sources are still eligible for this scholarship.

Questions can be directed to Sherrie Weeks (MATA Vice President) at 

mataawards@gmail.com