CONWAY, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas athletic trainer Steve Hornor will join the Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association (AATA) Hall of Fame this month.

    Hornor, who has been an athletic trainer at UCA since 2005, will be inducted at noon on April 25th as part of the AATA Annual Meeting and Symposium on the UCA campus.  

    "Steve Hornor's years of experience and knowledge in athletic training shows through his care to his student-athletes and the education and mentoring to his athletic training students in our program,' said David Strickland, head athletic trainer at UCA. "Steve is well known throughout the Arkansas Athletic Training Association as someone who will volunteer and help with any activity needed.  The work Steve has done to improve the profession of athletic training in the state of Arkansas is incalculable and our Athletic Training Profession in the State is better from the direct result of Mr. Hornor's years of hard work.      

    "He has been very involved with the AATA as the Public Relations Chair and also served on the Executive Board for several years as Parliamentarian.  This honor for Mr. Hornor is over due. We are proud to have Mr. Hornor as part of the UCA Athletic Training Program.'

    Hornor has been a certified athletic trainer in Arkansas for 19 years, coming to UCA from a 10-year stint as head athletic trainer at Arkansas Tech University. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon in 1977 and his master's degree from California State University at Chico in 1995.

    Hornor has worked at UCA, ATU, Yuba Community College and with the Washington Diplomats professional soccer team. He has also been part of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Medical Staff, the 1987 Pan Am Games, National Sports Festivals in 1983 and 1985, U.S. Track and Field Trials (1976) and served at the Colorado Springs Training Center in 1982.

    "This is such an honor that it is difficult to talk about,' said Hornor, who worked primarily with the UCA volleyball and men's basketball teams this school year as well as serving as an instructor in the Athletic Training Education Program. "To realize that you are a part of such an exclusive club is overwhelming. I am humbled by the experience and still find it hard to believe that it is real.

    "You do not receive such honors without many people mentoring you and supporting you along the way. I have been blessed in my 38-year career to know some of the pioneers of the profession from across the country. My first mentor is David "Obie" Obenour that was the athletic trainer at De Anza College where I  played basketball. He started me on this journey and I still talk with him to this day.  

    "Many others, my one assistant, colleagues, coaches, students and even athletes have played a major role over the years and I am so grateful. And the role that your family plays cannot be understated. My wife, Patti and my daughter Bethany have endured many sacrifices over the years. I love them both and an very grateful to them.'

    Hornor was named the 2006 National Athletic Training Association (NATA) College/University Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year. Other honors in his career include: SWATA Athletic Trainer of the Year (2006); AATA Doug Parker Recognition Award (2012) and NATA Service Award (2015).