DENVER – April 17, 2015 – Fort Lewis College Assistant Director of Athletics for Development and Director of Sports Medicine Wayne Barger has been selected for induction into the 2015 Colorado Athletic Training Association (CATA) Hall of Fame.  The CATA Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 2 in Colorado Springs.
 
"I am truly privileged to be receiving this honor and to be a part of the athletic training profession," said Barger.  "A profession that has allowed me to develop friendships and professional relationships through athletics.  Relationships with mentors, peers and colleagues, athletic training students, and student-athletes."
 
Barger is in his 19^th year as the head athletic trainer for Fort Lewis College.  He was also inducted into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2011.
 
"We are extremely proud of Wayne," said Fort Lewis College Director of Athletics Gary Hunter.  "His work ethic, dedication and professionalism to the department, the institution and the profession are unparalleled.  Our student-athletes and athletic training students are receiving the highest quality care and education because of Wayne.  He is truly deserving of this honor and award."
 
Barger spent his first 16 seasons at the college as head athletic trainer from 1995-2012. During this time, the athletic training education program at Fort Lewis became a nationally-accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Fort Lewis is only one of five colleges and universities in the state of Colorado to have an accredited athletic training education program. His experience in athletic training at national and international competitions assists Skyhawk student-athletes attain personal levels of success.
 
"This profession has provided me with skills to help others," said Barger. "A profession that emphasizes patience, compassion, and empathy for others. An opportunity to work around young people that are highly motivated to "play", get better, be successful, and battle through adversity. A profession that has provided the opportunity to see the world, and yet stay grounded in my backyard with family."
 
A recipient of the 1999 Fort Lewis College Director of the Athletics Appreciation Award, Barger has served as the assistant athletic director since 2012, and is the primary contact for all fundraising activities, including the Skyhawk Athletic Association, the department's corporate partnership program, and the department's season ticket campaign.
 
Barger came to Fort Lewis from the University New Mexico, where he had been Assistant Head Athletic Trainer and curriculum instructor for 10 years.

He has extensive experience in athletic training at international and national sporting events. In 1996, he served as athletic trainer for the U.S. men's field hockey team at the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga. He also served as athletic trainer for basketball and track & field at the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival in San Antonio, Texas, and for the U.S. junior national basketball team at a qualification tournament in Santa Rosa, Argentina, in 1994. In 1999, Barger served as the athletic trainer for the U.S. junior men's basketball team at the Junior World Championships in Lisbon, Portugal.

He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and athletic training. He received his master's degree in physical education administration from UNM in 1984.

When not performing his athletic training responsibilities, Barger enjoys rafting, golfing, hunting, and fly-fishing.

He and his wife of 30 years, Karen, have two grown sons, Chris and Matt, and two grandchildren. The couple owns Seasons Rotisserie Grill in Durango.