Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 5/11/99
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   125

Editors: Photo accompanies release   Please note local interest
SCHOLARSHIP HONORS SLU'S FIRST ATHLETIC TRAINER
     HAMMOND -- The grandchildren of Southeastern Louisiana University's first athletic
trainer, Elmer "Grady" Morgan, have established a scholarship in his honor.
     The scholarship has been established through the Southeastern Development Foundation
with a $10,000 gift from granddaughters Amy Hood Conti, Nancy and Betsy Hood and great-
grandson Brady Morgan. The scholarship, which will be administered by the Southeastern
Development Foundation, will assist a full-time Southeastern student majoring in kinesiology
with an emphasis in athletic training.
     A Kentwood native, Morgan is a 1943 Southeastern graduate. Following service in the
U.S. Navy in World War II, he returned to Southeastern in 1946 as the university's first trainer
for Southeastern athletics. He served in the position for 34 years, retiring in 1978.
     "Grady and his contemporaries were the guys who founded our profession," Southeastern
Athletic Trainer Robert "Doc" Goodwin said. "Thanks to them, it has gone from no one knowing
what athletic training was to a widely accepted and respected profession."
     Morgan was one of the founders of the National Athletic Trainers Association. From 128
members in 1950, the association has grown to more than 26,000 members. He is one of 14
original members who will be honored at NATA 50th anniversary ceremonies in Kansas City,
Mo., in June. Morgan also is one of the original inductees in the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Hall
of Fame and a member of Southeastern's Athletic Hall of Fame.
     Morgan and his wife, Gloria, are the parents of four children, Kirk Morgan Hood, Jeffrey
Morgan and Marty Morgan and the late Chip Morgan. 
                            - SLU -
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      www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp99.htm