The Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame typically doesn’t induct sports trainers and similar professionals, however in the case of Louisville native Jerry May it was no question that his impact to the local sports community needed to be honored.
After suffering an injury while playing a pick-up basketball game at Valley high school (May’s alma mater) the young man began to gain an interest in sports science. Because of that it was little surprise when after high school he enrolled at Morehead State University to study sports training, a discipline that had barely been invented even on a national scale.
After a year, May decided to leave Morehead, returning to his hometown to pursue his college education at the University of Louisville. After achieving a degree in physical education (athletic training or sports science wasn’t yet a degree) May began work for U of L. Eventually acting as a sports trainer with both the football and basketball teams.
After developing a close relationship with Louisville’s legendary basketball coach Denny Crum, May began working for the most part for the basketball team. A position he held until Crum’s retirement. While working as a trainer and medical professional in the sports community, May worked to set up a system in which doctors would be at all high school football games, a common practice today however a relatively recent development.
In addition, May established a set of principles that were to be followed in regards to modern sports science, because of his commitment to keeping athletes healthy and his devotion to the local sports community one has to say that Jerry May is a sports legend of the Ville.
Image courtesy of the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame [4]
Outside Sources
Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame [4]
KYATS [5]