Dennis Wierzbicki – USA TODAY Sports
For the second time since he joined the Chicago Bulls organization in 1998, Fred Tedeschi has been named NBA Athletic Trainer of the year 2012-13 as voted by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA), which is comprised of head and assistant athletic trainers from the NBA’s 30 teams. The award recipient is chosen each year by his/her peers for exemplary achievement and outstanding service both to the league and to their organization.
The first time Tedeschi received the prestigious Joe O’Toole Award, named after longtime former head athletic trainer of the Atlanta Hawks and regarded as the father of the NBATA, was in 2007.
Bulls GM Gar Forman had high praise for Tedeschi, stating to Bulls.com, “Fred is very deserving of this award. He’s been a valuable member of our team for many years and his excellent work is appreciated by our players and everyone in the organization. It’s great to see him get this recognition.”
Indeed, Tedeschi and the Bulls staff were tested by fire for the entire season. Not only did they have to contend with the maelstrom associated with superstar Derrick Rose’s rehab from his torn ACL and readying his return to the team, but the Bulls were constantly battered by injuries in both the regular season and in the playoffs.
Despite the myriad difficulties confronting the team, the Bulls made it to the second round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat before being eliminated four games to one.
Casey Smith, Chairman of the NBATA told NBA.com, “We are lucky to count Fred among our ranks and consider him one of our leaders.”
Congratulations to Fred Tedeschi. May the 2013-14 basketball season bring him even more success, albeit with a much lighter work load.
Hollie M. Woods is a writer for Rant Sports covering the Chicago Bulls and the NBA. “Like” her on Facebook.
