Celtics' Ed Lacerte selected as Athletic Trainer of the Year



Celtics Press Release:
BOSTON – The National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association named Ed Lacerte as their 2011-12 recipient of the Joe O’Toole Athletic Trainer of the Year. The award is chosen each year by his peers to be recognized for exemplary achievement or outstanding service to the NBA, the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association or his community. Lacerte was selected for his outstanding service to the NBATA. The award is named after Joe O’Toole, a long time former head athletic trainer of the Atlanta Hawks, is regarded as the father of the NBATA. This is the second time Lacerte has been selected as Athletic Trainer of the Year with his previous award coming after the 1992-93 season.

“I’ve known Eddie for 25 years. He is the hardest working athletic trainer and most experienced in the league,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. “We are lucky to have him caring for our players.”

Lacerte completed his 25th season with the Celtics as their Head Athletic Trainer this season making him the longest-serving athletic trainer in the history of the club. Lacerte has also earned honors including being named as the athletic trainer for the “Dream Team” for the gold-medal winning 1992 US Olympic Basketball Team and a member of the local organizing committee for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1996 and 2000. Lacerte is also one of five NBA head athletic trainers who contributed to a HarperCollins Publishers book titled “NBA Workout Training Guide”, which was published in January of 1999. In July of 2009, the NBATA recognized Lacerte with the Ed Lacerte Service Award. The award was named in his honor for his contributions and exceptional service and assistance to the NBATA.

Way to go Edd-y!