Two distinguished members of the ATSNJ received Secondary School Awards at the 78th Annual NATA Clinical Symposium & AT Expo. Pete Koeniges, DAT, LAT, ATC and Michael Prybicien, MA, LAT, ATC, CES, PES both earned national recognition for their athletic training contributions in the secondary school setting.
Pete Koeniges, Athletic Trainer at Northern Highlands Regional High School and faculty member at Montclair State University, received the 2026 Training & Conditioning Most Valuable Athletic Trainer of the Year Award and is recognized as the Secondary School Athletic Trainer (SSAT) of the Year. He made national headlines after coming to the rescue of a student-athlete who collapsed and stopped breathing during a basketball game. He successfully utilized CPR and an AED to help save the player's life.
Michael Prybicien, Athletic Trainer at Passaic High School and adjunct faculty member at William Paterson University, was named the national recipient of the Gatorade SSATC National Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. He earned this prestigious national honor after being selected as the District 2 winner of the NATA Secondary School Athletic Trainer Committee (SSATC) Award. This award recognizes outstanding secondary school athletic trainers from across the country who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and excellence in patient care.
Congratulations to Pete and Michael on being selected for these outstanding athletic training awards!
