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Douglas Casa, a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, has been honored with induction into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame.
As an internationally recognized expert in exertional heat stroke and CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI), Casa's work has significantly advanced the prevention of sudden death during physical activity.
Casa's induction is a milestone in a career dedicated to sports medicine, where he has worked closely with 42 past and present Ph.D. students.
“Being inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame is certainly a milestone moment for me professionally, but it is really a culmination of having amazing students and colleagues during my 25 years at UConn."
He credited his team as “the motor that has allowed our operation to create incredible opportunities and products.”
The Korey Stringer Institute, founded in partnership with Kelci Stringer in 2010, aims to prevent exertional heat stroke and promote safety in sports and other physically demanding professions.
Casa’s personal connection to this mission stems from his experience in 1985 when he survived exertional heat stroke during a track event.
“The immediate action along the chain of care gave me the best opportunity to live the amazing 39 years I have since that moment. I have dedicated a good portion of those 39 years to paying forward my good fortune.”
The Hall of Fame induction, held in June in New Orleans, was a poignant moment for Casa. He was presented with the hall of famer's jacket by Kent Scriber, the Athletic Trainer who helped save his life in 1985.
"Having my family, 21 former Ph.D. students, UConn colleagues, and hundreds of professional colleagues at the induction in New Orleans brought a lot of us to tears. It was probably the best moment of my career."
Read his full story here!
