The Michael E Nesbitt Scholarship
2024 Michael E Nesbitt Scholarship Winner: Lauren Donnelly
The Michael E. Nesbitt Athletic Training Scholarship was formed to enhance the education of students in pursuit of their degree in Athletic Training. Students who demonstrate exceptional quality, both academically and clinically, in the Athletic Training Program at NAU can earn a substantial scholarship. Typically, this scholarship equates to a full year of in-state tuition.
Mike Nesbitt served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Northern Arizona University for 36 years from 1970-2006, and he oversaw tremendous growth in the department. With just five sports – football, men’s basketball, men’s track & field, baseball and wrestling – when he first started at NAU, Nesbitt was the leader of the Lumberjack Athletic Training department as the university broke ground with the addition of women’s athletics, progressing through the ever-changing landscape of the Big Sky Conference.
Mike is highly renowned and respected in the athletic training community at all levels, having been inducted in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame in 1994, the Arizona Athletic Trainers’ Association (AzATA), the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers’ Association (RMATA) Hall of Fames in 1996, and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (the only athletic trainer to ever be inducted) in 2019. He played a pivotal role in the state of Arizona, helping implement athletic training programs in state high schools. He served as AzATA President in the 1980s, on the NATA Board of Directors representing the states of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico into the 1990s, and is still a member of the NATA Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
But Mike was more than an athletic trainer. At NAU, where he is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame since 1992, Nesbitt was an educator who helped establish a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. Having elevated to Associate Professor of Athletic Training Education from 1990 until his retirement in 2006, Nesbitt was an esteemed member of the NAU Faculty, having been recognized with the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1985. Mike was also instrumental in establishing licensure in the State of Arizona.
The establishment of The Michael E. Nesbitt Athletic Training Scholarship is truly the embodiment of Mike’s legacy. It is his wish and ours that this scholarship continue to be awarded, annually, to a deserving student.
The first recipient of The Michael E. Nesbitt Athletic Training Scholarship was awarded in 2010, and since, 18 more students have earned the prestigious award.
Previous Award Winners:
2010 – Sam Diaz
2011 – Ashley Schultejann & Senecca Allred
2012 – Amanda Silberschlag & Carolina Quintana
2013 – Daniel Gundy
2014 – Ben Kmetz
2015 – Chris Marquez
2017 – Janae Anderson
2018 – Bobby Gragston
2019 – Sara Chatham and Jillian Hacker
2020- Julia Marino
2021 – Kelly Koppy
2022 – Brandon Porter and Bre’Anna Bush
2023 – Arturo Ramirez and Laura McDowell
2024 – Lauren Donnelly
Nomination Process
1st Year NAU MSAT Students MUST BE NOMINATED for this scholarship by either a clinical preceptor or MSAT faculty member. If you would like to nominate a student for this prestigious award please send your nomination and statement letter on the nominee to Lanny Bradford at landon.bradford@nau.edu. Nominations are due by Jan. 1 of each. calendar year.
The minimum qualifications for the award are as follows:
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA (including first semester in MSAT program).
- Enrolled in MSAT program, entering second year in program. This scholarship is awarded to a first year student and applied to their student account for their 2nd year in the program.
- Clear aspiration to work in the field of athletic training.
- Student demonstrates passion for the profession in clinical assignments.
- Student demonstrates professionalism in clinical assignments.
- Nominations are due annually on January 15.
Questions about the Michael E Nesbitt Scholarship can be directed to Lanny Bradford at landon.bradford@nau.edu