LEADING LADIES IN PEDORTHICS
was a fraction of the men’s and her training
room tiny—a converted storage area carpeted
with old turf from UA’s Bryant Denny
Stadium. She recalled, “Coach promised
me that if I would contend with that storage
area and take care of women’s athletics, at
that time two-hundred-plus athletes, I’d
get a new training room within the year.”
Robertson said. “Of course, every day as a
female Athletic Trainer, you had to prove
yourself because that was a man’s world.” She
eventually got her new space. Her Olympic
experience and graduate internship at Murray
State helped her gain acceptance and respect
among her colleagues. In 1977 she became
the first female certified athletic trainer in
the Southeastern conference, and in 1978 she
earned a master’s degree in Health, Physical
Education, and Recreation from University of
Alabama.
Donna began the UA Women’s Athletic
Training Program, in 1976 which was the first
of 7 in the nation. She opened the first of 2
Sports Medicine Clinics in Alabama, and was
hired as Sports Medicine Director and Foot
Specialist with University Orthopedics Group.
Author
Ms. Robertson's induction into the Alabama Athletic
Trainers Association (ALATA) Hall of Fame.
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Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org