Craig Lindsey Honored as Ohio’s 2024 Athletic Trainer of the Year

May 11, 2024

During its annual dinner on Friday evening, the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association (OATA) honored Beacon’s own Craig Lindsey with its highest award – 2024 Athletic Trainer of the Year.

The award, presented annually by the OATA, spotlights individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership, compassion, and excellence in athletic training. Craig’s nomination detailed his remarkable career growth and his profound influence on the athletes in his care and the colleagues with whom he has worked over the years. Unaccustomed to the spotlight being shone on him by his peers and mentors, Craig said, “I never saw myself being recognized in this way.” This humble response to a well-earned award illustrates Craig, in a nutshell.

With a nearly three-decades-long career, Craig’s journey in athletic training has been marked by dedication, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to the Moeller High School community. Those qualities were evident early in his career when he was a student manager for a college basketball program. He then interned with professional sports teams like the Cincinnati Bengals. All along, Craig’s passion for sports medicines never wavered. That passion guided him through his education, certification and ultimately on to Archbishop Moeller High School, where he has served since August 1995.

Describing Moeller as “family” and “home,” Craig emphasized the supportive environment cultivated within that community. He talked about the transformative power of sports in molding individuals not only as athletes but as resilient, confident individuals prepared to face all life’s challenges.

A key factor in Craig’s success has been his collaborative partnership with individuals like Dr. Timothy Kremchek, whose mentorship has been invaluable throughout his career. Dr. Kremchek praised Craig’s dedication to student-athletes and their families, stating, “Craig’s unwavering dedication to student-athletes and their families is unparalleled. His commitment to excellence, sacrifice, and mentorship embodies the true spirit of athletic training. The Ohio Athletic Trainer of the Year is a well-deserved honor for an exceptional individual who has shaped countless lives and has been an invaluable asset to our community and Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.”

During his acceptance speech at the OATA event, Craig expressed gratitude to the countless individuals who have supported and inspired him along the way. From colleagues and mentors to the athletes themselves, Craig acknowledged the collective positive experience that has fueled and inspired his professional and personal journey. Athletic training truly is a team sport.

As Ohio’s Athletic Trainer of the Year, Craig Lindsey stands as a beacon of excellence and compassion in sports medicine. He is a terrific example of the profound impact dedicated athletic trainers can have on the lives of athletes and the broader community they serve. He is truly a role model—and a really nice guy. Congratulations, Craig, on this well-deserved honor!