Steve Fryberger selected as Athletic Trainer of the Year

HURON — Huron High School trainer Steve Fryberger was honored as the Athletic Trainer of the Year by the South Dakota Athletic Trainers Association on Tuesday during a ceremony in Sioux Falls.
Fryberger has served as the head athletic trainer at HHS for the past 23 years. Prior to joining the staff at the high school, he was the head trainer and program directory of the athletic training educational program at Huron University and Si Tanka University.
“Steve has set a professional standard of care for all our athletes,” Huron Activities Director Terry Rotert said. “Steve and his assistant cover the training room every day after school and provide care for our athletes. As the number of varsity events have increased, so has Steve’s responsibility, but he has never wavered.”
In addition to his daily duties, Fryberger was instrumental in a fundraising effort to help the district purchase a Gator with a med-bed to transport injured players. He also developed the T-3 (Tiger Time Training ) program, which is a summer weight and conditioning program used at HHS.

Fryberger’s dedication to the athletes at Huron High School is second to none, according to Rotert.
“Steve has left his home on nights and weekends to tend to injured athletes,” Rotert said. “He is always on call and has no problem with that arrangement. Steve has donated his personal time and money to travel to state events to provide care for our athletes.”
Fryberger also oversees the school’s ImPACT concussion testing throughout the school year and is in charge of ordering supplies needed for the upcoming school year.
“Steve has also helped to puchase equipment to make our training room in Huron the best in South Dakota,” Rotert said.
Fryberger’s efforts are greatly appreciated by the coaching staffs from all of the Tiger teams.
“Steve has put in countless hours and is willing to take time away from home to help when there is an emergency or a need,” Huron head football coach Michael Schmitz said. “He is willing to help all athletes that need him and does an excellent job in getting athletes ready to compete after an injury.”
Fryberger has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association since 1994, which is the year he became licensed as an athletic trainer. He served on the Mid-America Athletic Trainers Association Board of Directors from March 2003-July 2006; served as president of the South Dakota Athletic Trainers Association during that same period; served as vice-president from March 2002-March 2003; served as secretary-treasurer from December 1999-March 2002; and was on the Legislative Committee from December 1999-2011.