The South Dakota Athletic Trainers’ Association (SDATA)has honored Bruce Fischbach, MSS, ATC, as a 2014 SDATA Hall of Fame inductee. 

Fischbach is the head athletic trainer for the University of South Dakota where he has tirelessly served the health care needs of thousands of athletes since 1987. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984 and a master of sport science degree from the United States Sports Academy in 1991.

Outside of USD, he has spent time working with Special Olympics, minor league baseball, local youth athletics and athletes in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Fischbach has mentored and continues to provide guidance to many athletic trainers who began their careers as student and graduate assistant athletic trainers at USD.  Constantly striving for professional excellence, he directed the USD sports medicine program to the first ever College Athletic Management “Award of Excellence for Athletic Training Management.” 

Fischbach has served as president, vice president and secretary/treasurer for the SDATA and has been on the Mid America Athletic Trainers’ Association’s board of directors. Over the years, he has continually advocated for the athletic training profession.  In addition to his notable professional accomplishments, Fischbach has contributed considerably to both the NWBA as a tournament director, conference commissioner and current member of the board of directors.  He has also served the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a wish granter and regional ambassador.

Bruce joins the following SDATA Hall of Fame members:  Dr. Jack Billion, Jim Emmerich. Rob Williams, James Booher, Keith Fitzpatrick and Kathy Courtney.