top of page

MATA History

​

The Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association (MATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the Athletic Training profession. The organization was founded in 1982, by Doug May, Leroy Mullins, Jim Gallaspy, Andy Bryan, and Stratton Karatassos in Jackson, Ms. In these early years, Mississippi was made of approximately 10 ATs, which grew to over 400 licensed AT's in recent years.

Currently, the MATA serves over 330 members who choose to be members of the MATA to support their profession's best practices, licensure, advocacy,  and to receive other membership benefits.


   Other key Historical Aspects of MATA include:
1987- SEATA hosted Gulfport, Ms
1989- Work began by the MATA to present an AT Practice Act to be presented to Mississippi Legislation.
1991- Mississippi Legislation Successfully adopted Athletic Trainer Practice Act
1992- SEATA hosted in Jackson, Ms
2009- MS AT ACT was adopted to include: Continuing Education Requirements
2012 - Regulations Governing Licensure of Athletic Trainers was Reformatted
2014- MATA was instrumental in the Mississippi Youth Concussion Law of 2014
2016 - Regulation Governing Licensure of Athletic Trainers was amended by adding Continuing education requirements for license renewal being fulfilled during 2 year periods running concurrently with the requirements of certification through the BOC, Inc.
2022- HB 765 includes MHSAA School employed Athletic Trainer to receive pay stipend
2023- Hosted the largest MATA on record with 208 in attendance

MATA Officer History 

President 

Doug May

Jim Gallaspy

Andy Bryan

Sam Morris

Richey Woods

Chad Barker

Donna Wesley

Jeff Bryant

Kira Berch 

Vice President 

Leroy Mullins

Pedro Moreno

Richey Woods

Matt Smith

Mitch Bib

Jeff Bryant

Marc Osborne

Corbit Franks

Secretary

Andy Bryan

Brian Saffle

Mike WIlkinson

Debra Dunn

Heather Landry Shirley

Kira Berch

Lauren Self

Nicole Smith

Treasurer 

Andy Bryan

Brian Saffle

Troy Armstrong

Ray Burr

Wade Powers

Shawn Robinson

Daniel Stewart

Heather Landry Shirley

Erica Barham

Directors of Professional Improvement

Mary Jones

Tim Colbert

Jeffery Moore

Richey Woods

Allen Thompson

Member at Large

Mike Wilkinson

Matt Weisenberger

Gary Stroud 

​

Wade Powers

Hudson Byrnes

Katie Carter

Emily Smith

Tyler Myers

Jasmine Suggs

Student member 

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Twitter Social Icon
  • Instagram Social Icon

MATA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or age.  MATA is committed to accessibility and nondiscrimination in all aspects of its continuing education activities.  Participants who have special needs are encouraged to contact the program organizers so that all reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs can be made.

​

©2018 by Mississippi Athletic Trainers' Association. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page