D. Rod Walters II, DA, ATC
Middle Tennessee State University - Doctor of Arts, Physical Education, May, 1988.
Appalachian State University - Master of Arts, Physical Education, August, 1980; Bachelor of Science, Physical Education, August, 1979
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 27 years in directing healthcare in collegiate setting
- Inducted in NATA’s Hall of Fame in 2005
- Published Tape, I-C-E, and Sound Advice, September 2012 (Morgan-James Publishing). A compilation of life and business principles based on life and career of Rod Walters.
Walters has provided consultations and is a much-sought after public speaker. Rod Walters was involved in the care and prevention of student-athlete injuries for twenty-seven years on college campuses from Hickory, North Carolina (Lenoir-Rhyne College) to Boone, North Carolina (Appalachian State University) to Columbia, South Carolina (University of South Carolina).
Walters has led and participated in high profile investigations including the Jordan McNair death (2018) and Braden Bradforth (2019), both deaths secondary to exertional heat stroke in sports. He also led the Exertional Rhabdomyolysis investigation at Tufts University in 2024 involving 24 men’s Lacrosse team members. Walters has been a highly sought expert witness for matters related to sports injury, and has testified in court cases related to exertion and physical activity.
Rod Walters was recognized by the National Athletic Trainers Association as a Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 2003, and inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2005. Walters received the 2011 Distinguished Athletic Training Alumni Award from Middle Tennessee State University and was recognized by the University of South Carolina in 2018.
Walters expanded his work to a full-time consulting role in 2007. Clients include the Cirque du Soleil, Professional Baseball Umpires of MLB, the NFL and the Big 12 Conference, where he provides monitoring services to further assist with concussions. Walters was the lead AT Spotter for the 2019 Super Bowl.
Walters was asked to direct the University of Maryland’s inaugural Athletic Medicine Review Board, and also serves on the University of Georgia board. Through evidenced-based education courses, Walters offers seminars on a variety of topics including exertional heat illness, concussion care, Emergency Action Plans, and other topics germane to athletic training and sports medicine. Rod Walters has the ability to leverage his experience in the clinical aspects of athletic training and pass along information to organizations and individuals enrolled in his educational programs. Walters serves as a third-party reviewer of professional sports teams’ medical staffs in provision of appropriate emergency care to critical sports related injuries. He currently works with many professional sports teams including the NFL to provide these services.