SUNY Cortland Athletics

The athletic trainer since 1969 for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Joseph O'Toole has earned the admiration and respect of his peers. In the 1970's he was a catalyst in the formation of the National Basketball Trainers Association, helped write its constitution, served as its chairman, and, in 1983, received the first "NBA Trainer of the Year" award. In his 25 years with the Hawks, O'Toole has worked every game - more than 2,000. In 1990, he became the first athletic trainer to receive the Society of NBA Physicians' Irwin E. Vinnick Award for contributions to professional basketball.

The Chemung, N.Y., native played football and ran track at Cortland. He also served as a student football coach and an athletic trainer. O'Toole earned degrees from the Mayo Clinic School of Physical Therapy and Indiana University. He was an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Wisconsin before joining the Hawks.