Jim Gallaspy is known to all Southern Miss graduates. After a long career of being a teacher, athletic trainer and curriculum director, Jim retired from Southern Miss in June 2000.

Jim received his bachelors and masters degree from the University of Southern Miss (1970, 1972). He served as a teacher/athletic trainer at McArthur High School in Hollywood, FL. He later served as a teacher/athletic trainer at Moline High School in Moline, IL. He attended Indiana State University and received a specialization in Athletic Training (1973). In 1974 Jim returned to Southern Miss and worked in both the academic setting as well as the athletic setting. He worked with Southern Miss athletics as an assistant athletic trainer and became Head Athletic Trainer in 1995 after the retirement of Larry "Doc" Harrington. He served in the School of Human Performance & Recreation as first an assistant professor and later promoted to Associate Professor.

Jim's career included numerous articles and presentations on athletic training, including a book he co-authored with Doug May. In addition, Jim held many top leadership positions at the state, district and national level and served on several committees. Jim was very instrumental in securing licensure for Mississippi Athletic Trainers. Jim has the distinction of holding Mississippi Athletic Training license #001. In 1992, Jim was honored by the NATA as a recipient Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator Award.and the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 1995. Jim has been President of the Mississippi Athletic Trainers' Association (MATA), the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA) and served on the NATA Board of Directors from 1994-1997.

In 2000, Jim was honored by being inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame*. Jim was later given the distinction of being named Associate Professor Emeritus by the Board of Trustees State Institutions of Higher Learning, State of Mississippi. He is a member of the University of Southern Mississippi M-Club Alumni Hall of Fame and received the All American Football Foundation Outstanding Athletic Trainer award in March 2000. In 2007, Jim was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the SEATA Hall of Fame.

Jim is married to Sue and they have two children; daughter Kim and son Jay


*http://www.nata.org/honors/hof/2000.htm#2