Dale Grooms, the head athletic trainer who has spent 26 years taping ankles, icing shoulders, and keeping Trevian student-athletes on the field, is finally getting his flowers.

Grooms was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 6.

The honor is IATA's most prestigious, recognizing professionalism, dedication, and longevity in athletic training. The Hall of Fame dates to 1984 and requires at least 15 years of Illinois-certified service for eligibility.

New Trier Athletics announced the induction on its official accounts, calling Grooms' recognition "well deserved" and noting that his care "goes beyond the field."

Grooms leads a five-person sports medicine staff that covers Trevian sidelines five days a week at the Winnetka campus. Peers across the Central Suburban League echoed the praise. Evanston Township High School's athletic department hopped on X to post its own congratulations on Friday, June 5:

@ETHSports: "We always know our student-athletes are in good hands when we compete at New Trier because of you and your staff."

The New Trier Sports Medicine Club, a student organization Grooms oversees, called him "our fearless leader" and "one of the friendliest and most positive people you'll ever meet" during National Athletic Training Month in March.

Grooms isn't the only New Trier trainer earning state and national recognition this year. Emily Espinosa, another athletic trainer on his staff, was named to the 2026 AT Excellence Award Top 10 in April.