BROOKLYN (November 5, 2014) –The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) today named Brooklyn Nets athletic trainer Tim Walsh as its 2013-14 Joe O’Toole Athletic Trainer of the Year. The award is chosen each year for exemplary achievement or outstanding service to the NBATA. Walsh will be recognized for this honor before tonight’s game vs. Minnesota.
Walsh, who is in his 15th season as the Nets' head athletic trainer, also won the award for the 2003-2004 season. He served as chairman of the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) from 2004 - 2006.
"We are pleased to honor Tim with this award," said Gregg Farnam, NBATA Chairman and Head Athletic Trainer of the Minnesota Timberwolves. "His service and dedication as athletic trainer for the Nets exemplifies the goals and standards of the NBATA."
Walsh’s athletic training experience also includes time with USA Basketball where he served as the athletic trainer for the 2003 and 2004 Senior Men’s National Team, including the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. During his tenure with the Nets, Walsh has worked two NBA All-Star Games, 2002 in Philadelphia and 2008 in New Orleans. In October of 2009, Walsh was inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame.
The award is named after Joe O'Toole, a long time former head athletic trainer of the Atlanta Hawks, who is regarded as the father of the NBATA.