Posted on Friday, October 09, 2020
Rob Dicks, Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Training/Compliance Director, believes passionately in leaving things stronger and better than they were before him.
“Each day I try to give all I have to help those around me be all they can be. I feel like that’s my true calling,” Dicks said. “So, as I see them growing into something so much better and improving daily, so do I.”
His work ethic and dedication to his students led to his being chosen Head Athletic Trainer of the Year for NCAA Division III by the Intercollegiate Council of Sports Medicine committee of the National Athletic Trainers Association.
Athletic Director Jennifer Claybrook praised Dicks’ many contributions to the college.
“Rob does an amazing job with any task he is given,” she said. “He has made LC’s athletic training department one of the best in NCAA Division III and the country.
“Rob has been a role model for many student-athletes and student workers, and we are extremely proud of his accomplishment.”
Dicks has more than 20 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer working with an array of athletes across many different levels. He has served athletes from the professional ranks down to youth league and Pop Warner football.
Dicks is a 2001 graduate of Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine. While at Valdosta, he served as a student athletic trainer for members of the Blazer football, men’s tennis, women’s volleyball and men’s basketball teams.
He also became involved in promoting athletic training through the Southeast Athletic Training Association and the Georgia Athletic Training Association. Mentoring and nurturing the profession are his greatest pleasures.
In 2001, Dicks served as an intern athletic trainer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their minicamp session. His hard work and dedication with Tampa Bay allowed him to work with Ron Medlin and his staff with the Atlanta Falcons as an intern.
He began working with the Panthers in the fall of 2001 as the school’s first full-time assistant athletic trainer, taking the helm of the Athletic Training Department in 2007. Five years later, Dicks took on more administrative roles at the college and was named Director of Athletic Training. 
During those years, his staff grew to four full-time athletic trainers and over 25 student athletic training aides. He also served as a preceptor and clinical supervisor for student athletic trainers in their final semesters of their accredited Athletic Training Educational Program.
Dicks has continued dedicating his time and knowledge to mentor many young professional athletic trainers over the years. He has more than 40 mentees across the country through his networking with SEATA, GATA, and NATA.
He is well known in the profession as a mentor and advocate of sports medicine and athletic training. Despite a busy schedule, Dicks continues to find time to speak to young professional athletic trainers at annual symposiums, educational events and many other learning opportunities.
At the college, he serves on numerous committees, including Health and Safety and the Student Success Task Force. He is an advisor for the Black Male Initiative, an organization made up of Black male students dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rate among their peers.
He is a member of Warren Temple United Methodist Church and the Troup County NAACP and has served in various community roles advocating education, health and equality.
A native of Augusta, Georgia, Dicks is married to the former La’Shanda Collins. The couple has two daughters, Zykeria and Zakiya, and a son, Rob Jr. (RJ).
Homecoming 2020 kicks off Monday (Oct. 12). A virtual celebration this year, the event offers online visits with faculty, reunion gatherings and social media contests. See the complete schedule at kongtiao11.com/homecoming. (Note that some events require advance registration.)
The Spiritual Life Center, located on the second floor of Henry Hall, has reopened with a limited schedule. New hours and rules will be posted, and social distancing and mask use will be monitored. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Adam Roberts at aroberts@kongtiao11.com.
Dr. John Cook, Professor of Religion, recently published “1 Cor. 15:33: The status quaestionis,” Novum Testamentum 62 (2020) 375–391.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions. For in-person events, all COVID guidelines apply.
THROUGH SUNDAY
Internships 101
LC Young Alumni Interview
THROUGH OCT. 19
TED Talk
Virtual: Let’s get to the root of racial injustice
Head coach of indoor and beach volleyball, Madison Machurek is profiled in this Coaches’ Corner feature.
With the arrival of Homecoming, the holidays can’t be far behind. To celebrate, the college’s Music program will be releasing its annual Service of Lessons and Carols as a one-hour video special this year. Catch a special preview below.
Blaxers Blog: Recognizing Each Black Head Coach in NCAA Men's Lacrosse – US Lacrosse Magazine, Oct. 8 (includes LC coach Brandon Sewell)
Category: College
Keywords: athletic training, athletics, rob dicks, award
