Hall of Honor

David Gish Hall of Honor Photo

David Gish

  • Class
  • Induction
    2020
  • Sport(s)
    Athletic Training


David Gish served as Head Athletic Trainer at Texas State from 1998-2014, establishing a legacy of caring for and treating thousands of student-athletes during his career while also mentoring hundreds of athletic trainers.

After graduating from North Texas in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Gish began his 30-year profession in athletic training as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Louisiana University.  In 1986 he moved to San Marcos to take over as the Head Athletic Trainer for San Marcos High School, beginning a storied career in the San Marcos community.  Gish served at San Marcos High School for four years, from 1986-1990.  During this time, he completed his master’s degree in Education from Texas State, becoming a proud Bobcat alumnus.

Gish began his employment with the Bobcats while studying for his masters, working as a graduate assistant under Dr. Bobby Patton. Upon graduation, he accepted a full-time position as the Assistant Athletic Trainer where he was employed with the Bobcats for the next 24 years.  He served in his role as Assistant Athletic Trainer from 1990-1998 working with a multitude of different sports, including men’s basketball, track and field, men’s golf and assisting with football.

 

He was named Head Athletic Trainer by Athletic Director Jim Wacker in 1998. Throughout his time at Texas State, he supervised and mentored all Assistant Athletic Trainers and Graduate Assistants.  He also had direct responsibility for the health and wellness of all Bobcat Football and Men’s and Women’s Golf Student-Athletes.

His contributions to his field were numerous, and his involvement and accolades within the athletic training community were highly respected.  During his time at Texas State, he was selected by medical staff teams to work at some of the most prominent sporting organizations around the world. Gish was selected by the U.S. Sports Committee to be on the medical staff at the Olympic Training Center in 1995 for the US Olympic Festival in Colorado.  In 2004, he was selected by U.S.A. Track and Field to be on for the IAAF World Junior Championships in Grosseto, Italy. He was also selected to the medical staff in 2007 for the NACAC Championships in the Dominican Republic.  



He was deeply involved with the National Athletic Trainers Association and served in numerous roles representing the Southwest Region (SWATA), including President and Vice President of the executive board.  He was the District 6 NCAA Division I FCS representative for the University Athletic Training Committee and received the National Athletic Trainers Association service award in 2010.  SWATA awarded Gish with the Eddie Wojecki Service Award and eventually added him to the SWATA Hall of Fame in 2015 after his passing September of 2014.

In the State of Texas, Gish left an indelible mark. He was involved in the founding of the State of Texas Athletic Trainers Association in 2000.  He served as the State’s Region 8 Director from 2001-2004, helping to develop and write Sports Medicine courses for high school athletic trainers and later teaching athletic trainers how to teach those same courses.  He was inducted into the Alamo Area Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2014 and served as the Area President in 1999.

Gish was also very active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as the Adult Leader for Cub Scout Pack 18 and Troop 18 from 2007 to 2014. He also served as an Adult Troop Committee member and Adult Training Coordinator, responsible for the planning and leading of scout programs and activities, including providing training opportunities for Adult Leaders and evaluating scouts for advancement. He earned the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout in 1980, awarded to only 4% of all Boy Scouts nationally. 
Gish volunteered with several organizations in the Central Texas Area, including the United Methodist Church, Sunshine Kids Organization, the Special Olympics, and the San Marcos Youth Baseball and Softball Association.

Gish taught many courses at Texas State during his career, including University Seminar, Clinical Experience in Athletic Training III and IV, Organizational and Administration in Athletic Training, Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries and Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Exercise.  He also provided care and support to University Faculty and Staff and athletic alumni whenever called upon.  Prior to Athletic Trainers being recognized as members in the “T” Association, he was awarded an honorary membership to the “T” Association in 1992.

Gish’s legacy lives on through The David Gish Endowed Scholarship, which was founded in 2014 and provides annual scholarship support to promising athletic training students. The annual David Gish “Got Your Back” 5K also raises money for cancer research and provides financial support to Bobcat family members battling cancer.

Gish and his wife Karen, a 1987 Texas State Graduate, were married for 25 years. They are extremely proud parents to daughter Madison and son Hayden. 

 
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