The Mt. SAC Athletics Department is proud to announce that former Athletic Trainer Andy Paulin has been honored with the Bill Chambers Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious recognition, presented by the Far West Athletic Trainers Association (FWATA), celebrates a career that has made a lasting impact on the field of athletic training.

Andy Paulin’s career mirrors the values and commitment that the Bill Chambers Lifetime Achievement Award was created to celebrate. Paulin’s journey in the world of athletic training began at Don Lugo High School before advancing to California State University, Bakersfield, where he served as Head Athletic Trainer from 1980 to 1983. He then became the Head Athletic Trainer at Mt. SAC, overseeing a large athletic training staff and providing medical care for numerous sports, including football, baseball, men’s and women’s swimming, and wrestling.

Beyond his direct athletic training work, Andy has made significant contributions to the profession at the state and national levels. He served for six years on the NATA Board of Directors, representing California, Nevada, and Hawaii, and was President of the California Athletic Trainers Association. As an educator, he has taught Sports Medicine and Athletic Training classes at Mt. SAC, Cal Poly Pomona, and L.A. College of Chiropractic. Additionally, Paulin has served as Head Athletic Trainer for several USA Track and Field National Teams and worked as the Judo Venue Athletic Trainer Coordinator during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Andy’s accolades are a testament to his passion for the athletic training profession. In 2011, he was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame. He was named the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2009 and received the NATA Athletic Trainer of the Year award in 2006. He was also honored as the Community College Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2006 and was inducted into the FWATA Hall of Fame in 2009.

As Andy continues to mentor young athletic trainers and give back to the profession that shaped his career, his work reflects the spirit of volunteerism, mentorship, and service to the athletic training community. According to Kris Boyle Walker, “Andy more than epitomizes the heart and soul of the Bill Chambers Lifetime Achievement Award. He has made significant and lasting contributions to FWATA and the Athletic Training profession through dedicated and selfless volunteerism.”

Paulin’s dedication to both his students and athletes is evident in his lifelong commitment to improving the quality of care in sports medicine and the development of future athletic trainers.

The athletics community is encouraged to join in honoring Andy Paulin’s incredible career at the Awards Reception at the FWATA Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium (AMCS) on Friday, April 18th, 2025, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Congratulations, Andy, on this well-deserved honor! Your legacy of service and mentorship continue to inspire future generations in the field.