USM Alums Selected for Mississippi Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame
Thu, 04/06/2023 - 10:16am | By: Van Arnold
Mike Williamson
Jeff Bryant
Longtime athletic trainers Jeff Bryant and Mike Williamson took the skills they learned while students at The University of Southern Mississippi to build esteemed careers that have ultimately led to induction into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.
Both were chosen last month for the distinguished honor. Bryant, a Hattiesburg, Miss. native, has spent the past 30 years as head athletic trainer for the Hattiesburg Public School District. Williamson, a Prentiss, Miss. native, serves as Director of Therapy Services at Covington County Hospital. Together, they have accumulated nearly 70 years as athletic trainers.
“I am honored to have been chosen by my peers to be inducted into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame,” said Bryant. “What an amazing career it has been. The student-athletes, their parents, coaches, administration, players and coaches from opposing team and most definitely the athletic trainers I’ve gotten to know while working across the field and down the sidelines with.”
Added Williamson: “I am very humbled and honored to be inducted. To receive this award, it takes a team of people. I have been fortunate to work with many dedicated athletic trainers, physicians, nurses, therapists, and coaches throughout my career. I have always had great family support throughout my career to allow me to pursue my dreams.”
Bryant earned his undergraduate degree in Coaching and Sports Administration with an emphasis in Athletic Training at USM in 1990. He earned a master’s degree in Education at William Carey University in 1992. Williamson earned his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and Coaching Administration-Emphasis Athletic Training at USM in 1985. He received another Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
“We are immensely proud of and grateful to Mike and Jeff for their continual commitment to the athletic training profession and to the USM athletic training program,” said Dr. Melissa Kossman, Director, School of Health Professions at USM. “Their impact and support day after day, month after month, and year after year, is exemplified in the historical success and growth of our students, many of whom are now athletic trainers working for or alongside Mike and Jeff every day. We are so thankful to have Mike and Jeff in our corner and we hope that our continued success is a testament to their ongoing impact and legacy.”
The widely respected duo credit legendary USM athletic trainers Larry “Doc” Harrington and Jim Gallaspy for helping shape the foundation for their professional careers. Harrington was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003 and Gallaspy earned the same honor in 2004.
“While at USM, Doc and Jim instilled in me the athletic training knowledge through their guidance and teaching of first-aid, prevention and care of athletic injuries and the rehabilitation of those injuries,” said Bryant. “They also taught me how to be observant and responsible to those student-athletes while at practice and during games. I am forever grateful for the opportunities allowed me and for my time I spent at USM.”
Like Bryant, Williamson stresses the importance of mentorship provided by Harrington and Gallaspy.
“I learned discipline, work ethic and time management skills to balance classwork and work in the field,” said Williamson. “These lessons have endured throughout my career. Also, I was exposed to the family of athletic trainers who support each other and provide the best possible care for their athletes.”
Dr. Leslie W. Oglesby, Assistant Professor and Director of USM’s Athletic Training Program, expressed that both alums are richly deserving of the recognition.
“Mike Williamson has provided clinical experiences at various Hattiesburg Clinic sites for all students in the program every year of my tenure and has consistently sought ways to improve those experiences by exposing our students to patients of various demographics and athletic abilities as well as skills/tools they may not see at most other clinical sites (such as orthopedic casting),” said Oglesby. “Hattiesburg Clinic has also employed many graduates of our program over the years, and I am grateful for this amazing relationship between our agencies that has largely been built by Mike himself.”
Oglesby continued: “Jeff Bryant very well may be the proudest alumnus ever produced by our program. He gives tirelessly of himself to the profession and this program and is committed to ensuring the future success of our students and the program as a whole. Hattiesburg High School is a favorite clinical site for our students largely due to him and his desire to not just mold better athletic trainers, but better human beings. He truly lives out his oft-repeated motto: ‘It’s all about the kids.’ His friendship and support mean the world to me, and I know that many alumni of our program would say the same.”