2023 Athletic Trainer of the Year

NJCAA Athletic Trainer of the Year

The NJCAA Athletic Trainer of the Year is awarded to an athletic trainer who best exemplifies the overall purpose of leading their institution, athletic department, and student-athletes through athletic training. 

Created in the spring of 2020, the NJCAA Athletic Trainer of the Year is part of the NJCAA Annual Awards that honor three distinct categories across the association - Athletic Director of the Year, Sports Information Director of the Year, and Athletic Trainer of the Year. These awards represent individuals who strive to create the optimal student-athlete experience on their campus while also performing duties that go far beyond the institutional level.  To view past winners, visit: NJCAA Annual Award Past Winners

Eddy McGuire – Tyler Junior College (TX)

Eddy McGuire has served as the head athletic trainer at Tyler Junior College for the past 20 years. McGuire oversees a staff of four athletic trainers and 15 student trainers that serves 12 sports within the Apaches athletic department.  McGuire runs the college's educational athletic training program where students take courses including Athletic Training Practicum I, Nutrition in Exercise and Sport, Advanced Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries, Personal/Community Health, and Taping and Bandaging of Athletic Injuries while earning their associates degree.  

On a national level, McGuire serves on the NJCAA Student-Athlete Welfare & Safety Council which provides guidance and recommendations on best practices for the health and safety of the association's student-athletes.  McGuire also serves as the head athletic trainer for several national championship events that Tyler hosts including the NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, NJCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship, and the NJCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship in recent years.  

McGuire is a certified athletic trainer (NATA), licensed athletic trainer, member of the East Texas Athletic Trainers Association (ETATA), National Athletic Trainers Association, Southwestern Athletic Trainers Association, Texas High School Coaches Association, and serves as the host for the ETATA professional development clinic, which offers educational opportunities for all high school athletic trainers in the area.

McGuire was inducted into the East Texas Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Honor as part of the 2022 class. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and his Master of Science in Athletic Training from Stephen F. Austin State University. 

For all 2023 NJCAA Honors and Annual Award Winners, visit: 2022-23 NJCAA Award Winners

For all NJCAA Honors, please visit: NJCAA Honors Home