The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference has been selected as the 2022 Dave Montgomery Advocacy Award recipient for its efforts in supporting student athletes and the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association (CATA). 

The Dave Montgomery Advocacy Award is presented annually to a national recipient by the Nebraska-based Board of Control (BOC) for the Athletic Trainer. The award is designed to recognize an individual, group or organization that has demonstrated leadership in protecting athletic training consumers.

In the nomination letter submitted by the Connecticut Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA), they stated, “The CIAC should be commended for their efforts in support of both the CATA, and the interscholastic athlete. This includes pursuing, supporting and enacting legislation pertaining to the health and well-being of athletes, as well as ensuring their policies and procedures protect all athletes participating within their jurisdiction.” 

“The CIAC fully supports the importance of our athletic trainers,” said CIAC Assistant Director Joe Velardi. “We worked collaboratively with our athletic trainers to help schools with their emergency action plans and heat illness policies. In addition, we worked together to deliver 85 cold water immersion tubs to our schools. The safety and well being of our athletes is our top priority.”

The CIAC will be formally recognized during an Awards Ceremony, Friday July 15 in Omaha, Nebraska.