Stephen E. Bair

 

Stephen Earl Bair of Collingswood NJ passed away peacefully on March 10, 2023.  The son of the late Clarence and Virginia Bair, Steve was born on March 16, 1949 in Culver Indiana.

A 1967 graduate of Culver High School, Steve went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Western Michigan University and his Master of Education in Athletic Training from the University of Arizona. Steve began his legendary athletic training career as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Temple University in Philadelphia. In 1978 he was named Head Athletic Trainer at Temple, a position he would hold for 10 years. In 1988 Steve took his talents to Overbrook Senior High School where he would remain until his retirement in 2010.

Bair’s commitment to the athletic training profession was obsessively passionate.  He was a director for the Board of Certification For The Athletic Trainer, District Two Director for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), and a passionate and vocal Board Member for the NATA Research and Education Foundation. On the regional level he was on the Executive Board of the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA). Steve was also significantly involved in New Jersey as the treasurer of the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ), treasurer of the New Jersey Political Action Committee, and a founding member of the ATSNJ Golf Outing that raises funds for various charities in New Jersey.

Where Bair truly shined was as a mentor, teacher, and friend.  As a mentor and teacher, he was an outstanding clinician that could teach at the level the student needed. Brutally honest but always making sure the student would come away better for the experience. Steve taught his students to be involved and to promote themselves within the profession.  To his high school colleagues, he was always willing to listen and lend advice. As a friend Steve was faithful to a fault, a more loyal person you would be hard to find. Just as importantly Steve liked to have fun, if you couldn’t have fun doing it, then it wasn’t worth doing.

Bair’s student athletes were his pride and joy. He cared for high-level college athletes as well as freshman high school athletes; they all received the same outstanding care.  Many speak of him fondly as always appreciating his down to earth approach and great sense of humor.

Steve was recognized for his outstanding service to the athletes and the profession. He was a member of the NATA Hall of Fame, ATSNJ Hall of Fame, and the EATA 49 Club 2017. He had won the ATSNJ Distinguished Service Award, the EATA Excellence in Secondary School Athletic Training Award, the EATA Leadership Award, and presented the William E. “Pinky” Newell Address at the 2010 EATA convention.

He is survived by his brother, Warren Bair and his niece, Jennifer.  A celebration of life will be held in the near future.

If you would like to donate a gift in memory of Steve, supporting the athletic training profession, an organization close to his heart, please consider giving to the

NATA Research & Education Foundation

DEPT #42169

PO BOX 650823

Dallas TX  75265-0823

https://www.natafoundation.org/support/ways-to-give/donate/