Razorback Athletic Trainers' Legacies Include Scholarships

Photo by Russell Cothren

This year's recipients of the Bill Ferrell Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Training are, from left, Megan Smith, Madeline Torretta, Satoshi Iida, Alexandra McDonald and Katherine Luhring. Iida also won the Dean Weber Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Training.

The hard work of five University of Arkansas students in the graduate athletic training education program has earned them recognition with scholarships honoring legendary Razorback athletic trainers Bill Ferrell and Dean Weber.

Satoshi Iida, Katherine Luhring, Alexandra McDonald, Megan Smith and Madeline Torretta are enrolled in the Master of Athletic Training degree program in the College of Education and Health Professions.

They are the 2015 recipients of the Bill Ferrell Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Training. Iida also won the Dean Weber Endowed Scholarship in Athletic Training presented to a second-year student following extensive review and interview.

Former University of Arkansas football players who played under the care of Weber and Ferrell established the scholarships. Weber supervised the athletic training operations for men's sports teams for 35 years. Ferrell was head baseball coach and head athletic trainer from 1950 to 1967. He died in 1967.

All five of the student recipients are in the second year of the program and plan to graduate next spring. The master's degree will prepare them to work in all kinds of sports and at all levels of competition as well as in clinical settings.

Iida, of Tokyo, earned a bachelor's degree in sport sciences from Waseda University in Tokyo. He is the son of Hitoshi and Emiko Iida. This semester, he is helping with sports medicine care for the Razorback track and field and cross-country teams.

Luhring, of Monrovia, California, earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology, physiology and behavioral science from the University of California, Davis. She is the daughter of Paul and Susan Luhring. She is gaining clinical experience this semester with the Fayetteville High School football team.

McDonald, of Marysville, Washington, earned a bachelor's degree in pre-physical therapy and kinesiology from Western Washington University. She is the daughter of Diana and Scott McDonald. Her clinical assignment this semester with Razorback soccer is giving her hands-on experience as an athletic trainer.

Smith, of Bethany, Louisiana, earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Arkansas. She is the daughter of Butch and Sonja Smith. She is assisting the sports medicine staff this semester at Rogers Heritage High School.

Torretta, of St. Louis, earned a bachelor's degree in biology and exercise science from Quincy (Illinois) University. She is the daughter of Don and Laura Torretta. This fall,  her clinical assignment is helping provide care for athletes at Springdale High School.