The History of Sports Medicine at Colgate University is a direct parallel to the history of the profession of athletic training. The early years were characterized by hard working, self-taught men who truly practiced the philosophy of "laying on the hands". The middle years saw the introduction of professionally trained personnel and new technologies. Today's program is characterized by highly-trained curriculum graduates utilizing state of the art equipment and techniques. Jack Rourke arrived at Colgate in 1910, and was a mainstay of the athletic staff for over forty years. As a football coach, track coach, and athletic trainer, Jack registered a permanent impression in Colgate athletic history with his Irish wit and a deep personal understanding of what his athletes were experiencing.

Lew Williams appeared on the Colgate scene in 1949 as Colgate's first officially designated athletic trainer. Having received his initial sports medicine training from the legendary Jack Kavanaugh at Cornell, Lew brought a unique and effective manner of care to the athletes at Colgate. John Hubbard, a student athletic trainer with Lew in the late 1960's and former Colgate University Photographer, penned the following soon after Lew's death in 1996. "Lew Williams was the best teacher I had at Colgate; for that matter, he's the best boss I ever had. Lew was an old-fashioned trainer. While he never prescribed spitting on an injury, his love was tough love.


Lew Williams speaking with a Colgate athlete.

There was pain to play through, and pain that got Lew's attention. It was then, in those scary moments when a ligament was ripped or a bell was rung, Lew was the best, his calm was reassuring, his knowledge far-reaching, his word law. If he said a kid couldn't play, no coach would challenge his decision. When Lew felt it was time to return to action, a player could step over the line with a sense of confidence."

Lew Williams taping a football player in 1971 - his last football season as Head Athletic Trainer

Lew Williams' retirement in 1971 and the start of women's intercollegiate athletics with Colgate becoming coeducational created the need for an athletic trainer who was ready to take the program to the next level. Jim Rogers, educated at Temple University and schooled by great names in the business like Joe Torg and Ted Quedenfeld, was chosen to head up the program. Though his stay at Colgate was only three short years, Jimmy reorganized the program into a well administered system of coverage and care, expanded the student trainer program, and created one additional staff position to meet the ever-expanding needs of a rapidly growing intercollegiate sports program.

Marty Erb became Colgate's Head Athletic Trainer in 1975 after serving as assistant trainer for two years. After completing 35 years of service at Colgate, Marty retired in the spring of 2008.  Marty played a key role in expanding the professional staff to six positions (four full time, two intern) and in coordinating a facilities renovation that resulted in the Geyer-Campbell Sports Medicine Center.  In the fall of 2007 Marty become the first non-athlete, coach or administrator to be enshrined in the Athletic Hall of Honor.  Colgate honored Marty with the title Athletic Trainer Emeritus at the university's commencement in 2008.  Several years before he was awarded the Maroon Citation, one of Colgate's highest honors and in the spring of 2008 the Florence Felton French Prize for Inspirational Teaching was also bestowed upon Marty.  To demonstrate what he has meant to the state, Marty was an easy choice for inclusion into the New York State Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame - an honor which is expected in 2009.

Many other athletic trainers have also made significant contributions to the Colgate Sports Medicine program, and justifiably share in the success of the program.