Hall of Fame - Chuck Whedon, ATC
Inducted 2003
Chuck Whedon, MS, ATC/L has been the Coordinator of Athletic Training at Rowan University since 1986.Certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification in 1982, Chuck has had a variety of experiences in the sports medicine field. He has inspired many individuals to pursue athletic training as a career, and his passion for the field is evident in his tireless work ethic.
Chuck began his involvement with the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey, Inc. when he served as Treasurer from 1989-93. During the time he spent as President-Elect, President and then Past-President from 1993-1999, Chuck was instrumental in the passage of the “Athletic Training Licensure Act,” a significant step for the profession in NJ. As a result of these efforts, he received the ATSNJ Distinguished Service Award in 1998 and was inducted into the ATSNJ Hall of Fame in 2003. He continues to remain active in the Society, serving as the Governmental Relations Committee Co-Chair since 1997, and Southern Region Representative from 2002-2004.
Chuck has served as a volunteer athletic trainer for the United States Olympic Committee, working both at the training site in Colorado Springs, and the 1987 Olympic Festival. He was a member of the sports medicine team for the Women's World Cup Soccer tournament in 2003 and has also workedon numerous occasions with the USA World and Olympic Freestyle Wrestling teams. A successful wrestler himself, Chuck enjoys working the state high school wrestling championships each year. Chuck wrestled competitively for 26 years, trying out for the 1984 Olympic Team, and winning an AAU national championship in 1994. He has coached a number of sports at all levels, most notably wrestling, including his son's community recreation program (66-4 in eight years), rounding out a twenty-year coaching career.
These and other experiences helped form an aggressive approach to athletic rehabilitation and reconditioning intended to return the injured athlete to competition as soon as possible. At the heart of Chuck’s philosophy is that exercise is one the most effective forms of medicine, especially as a preventative measure. Chuck firmly believes athletes can use exercise not only to improve their performance, but also to reduce their risk of injury and duration of down time.
Chucknot only applies this philosophy to the treatment of Rowan's very successful athletes, but also in teaching the students enrolled in the accredited Athletic Training Program sponsored by the Department of Health and Exercise Science. He has taught athletic training courses there since 1986, and does numerous presentations annually. He has been published on a several occasions as well.
Chuck works hard to balance his passion between his family, clinical athletic training services to athletes, and athletic training education to his students. He serves as a role model to many, and has earned the utmost respect from his colleagues, athletes and students.
