About the Presenters

Dr. Ronnie Harper, Ed.D., LAT, ATC, NREMT, stands out as a prominent leader and advisor in the Athletic Training profession, offering his expertise on both local and national scales. Serving as a key member of the NATA Secondary School Committee for District IX, Ronnie's influential efforts played a pivotal role in the inception of the Athletic Training Location and Services Project (ATLAS) and the Safe Sports School Awards (SSSA). Furthermore, he's a principal author for the NATA's Appropriate Medical Care Standards document and its associated online tool, which serves as guidance for ensuring adequate medical care for Secondary School Aged Athletes.

With a distinguished 15-year career in higher education, Dr. Harper has tenure at institutions such as Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama, and Southeastern Louisiana University. During his tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University, he was appointed as the Assistant Professor and spearheaded their CAATE Accredited Athletic Training Education Program. An alumnus of Mississippi State University, Ronnie boasts both a bachelor's and master’s degree from there, and furthered his academic pursuits with a Doctorate in Education from the University of Alabama, specializing in Health and Human Performance Studies.

His dedication to the field also extends to active participation in the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association (LATA), notably contributing to the Hall of Fame committee. His remarkable achievement of being inducted into the LATA Hall of Fame in 2013 stands as a testament to his dedication and commitment. This dedication was further recognized in 2018 when he was honored with the District IX High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.