Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award

Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award

CRITERIA: The Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award, named in honor of the former Olympic athlete, international sports medicine scholar, and Director of the University of Kentucky Rehabilitation Center, is given annually to an individual for his/her contributions to the growth and development of sport medicine through practice and/or scholarly activity. The individual should exhibit a mastery of some aspect of sports medicine through practice or research, be well known in the sports medicine field and have an abiding belief in and practice of ethical behavior in pursuit of knowledge.

Ernst Jokl was an outstanding runner in the 400 meters and 400 meter hurdles for the German Olympic squad in 1928 following which he published his first medical study and began what is generally recognized as a most prominent career in the field. He worked with renowned scientists like A.V. Hill, Nobel Prize winner, Max Burger, Adolph Loewy and Adolphe Abrahams. He was the first Director of the Department of Sports Medicine at Breslau University in 1933 before moving to South America to become Director of Physical Education at Stellenbosch University where he developed a national program in sports science. Jokl came to the United States in 1952 and served as the Director of the University of Kentucky Rehabilitation Center. Jokl has been a prolific author and researcher in sports medicine, psychology and sociology publishing articles and books in these areas. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the United States Sports Academy in 1993 for his contributions to sports medicine.

Previous Recipients

2019
Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, co-founder and investigator for the Boston University CTE Center
2018
Dr. Bill Holcomb, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, FNATA, CSCS*D, FNSCA – Director, Master of Athletic Training Program and Professor, Mercer University
2017
Dr. Kenneth Cameron – Director of Orthopaedic Research at Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, N.Y.
2016
Bennet Omalu, M.D. – Physician, Forensic Pathologist, Neuropathologist, and Leading Research Pioneer on Concussions in Sport
2015
Retired Col. John Feagin, Jr., M.D. – Former Sports Orthopedic Surgeon, U.S. Military Academy and Duke University
2014
Dr. William Prentice – Renowned Author, Educator, and Practitioner of Sports Medicine
2013
Dr. Cindy Chang – USA Chief Medical Officer for the 2012 London Olympic Games
Discontinued in 2012
2011
Dr. Steve Devick – Co-Founder, King-Devick Concussion Detection Test
2010
Dr. Frank Noyes – Chairman & CEO, Cincinnati Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center
2009
Dr. Robert Cantu – Concussions expert, neurosurgeon
2008
Dr. Andrew Capuccino – Buffalo Bills team doctor
2007
Dr. John Lombardo – MD, Sports Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
2006
Dr. David Schmidt, MD, Orthopedic surgeon, Spurs team physician
2005
Dr. Bert Mandelbaum – Orthopedic surgeon, Santa Monica Orthopedic Group
2004
Jerome A. Dempsey, Ph.D. – Professor of Preventive Medicine, UW-Madison
2003
Dr. Lawrence Lemak – Orthopedic surgeon, Health South Medical Center
2002
Dr. Eric Heiden – Orthopedic surgeon, Olympic speedskating champion
2001
Dr. Frank Jobe – Noted “Tommy John” surgeon
2000
Dr. Robert E. Leach – Editor, American Journal of Sports Medicine
1999
Richard D. Martin – Athletic Trainer, Minnesota Twins
1998
Prince Alexandre de Merode – Chairman, IOC Medical Commission
1997
Donald A. Chu – President, National Strength & Conditioning Association
1996
Fred Mueller, Ph.D. – Chair of Physical Education, University of North Carolina
1995
Dr. Jacques Rogge – Vice President, IOC Medical Commission
1994
Dr. James Andrews – Alabama Sports Medicine
1993
Sir Roger Bannister – Neurologist, First to break 4 minutes in mil