Mike McGee, director of student leadership, has been selected by the Virginia High School League (VHSL) as the recipient of the Larry Johnson Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) Award. The Larry Johnson SMAC Award was developed in 2003 to recognize individuals who have contributed in an exceptional manner to the development and implementation of policies and programs intended to promote the health and safety of high school student athletes.

McGee was nominated for this award due to his instrumental role in
establishing a division-wide athletic training program for Virginia Beach City
Public Schools’ (VBCPS) students. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized for a program that has such a positive impact on thousands of students each year,
said McGee. “I would like to share this award with all the athletic trainers, who
over the past 28 years, provided guidance for the safety and well-being of every student participating in an athletic activity.”

At the time McGee began his career with VBCPS in 1981, as a chemistry and biology teacher at Kempsville High, he was only one of two athletic trainers in the school division. In 1987, McGee became the school division’s first and only coordinator of athletic training. In this position, he worked closely with high school principals to establish a training program – equipped with training facilities and an athletic trainer for each high school.  Under the leadership of McGee, this program expanded from the high school level to all 13 middle schools.

“Mike’s work as the school division’s athletic training coordinator created a solid foundation for a thriving program in Virginia Beach,” said student activities coordinator David Rhodes. “Due to Mike’s passion, planning, and purpose, the school division has reaped immeasurable benefits from his work.”

As a pioneer for athletic training in the school division and a role model nationwide, McGee served as the chairman of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) High School Task Force in 1991 and for six years and as its chairman of the high school committee.  McGee can be credited with the development of the High School Injury Surveillance Survey, now known as the National Injury Survey. This survey provides data used when making risk management decisions for organizations such as the National Federation of State High School Associations, the Virginia High School League, and the National Athletic Trainers Association.

McGee was presented with the Larry Johnson Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) Award during the VHSL’s Membership Meeting on March 13, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia.

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