Leo Dougherty
2000 Inductee
NDATA Hall of Fame

Leo Dougherty began his athletic training career in 1970 as a student athletic trainer at the University of Montana. He received his undergraduate degree in Health/Physical Education with emphasis in Athletic Training from the University of Montana in 1975. He completed his Masters in Special Education with certification in E/BD from Moorhead State University in the fall of 2001.

Leo began his teaching and athletic training career with the Fargo Public School system as a Physical Education instructor and the first Certified Athletic Trainer in the high school level in North Dakota in the fall on 1975. In 1977, Leo, and four other athletic trainers began the North Dakota State Athletic Trainers Association. Leo became the state's first Executive Director. During the late 70's and early 80's Leo wrote the first draft of the present North Dakota Licensure Bill for Athletic Trainers.

In 1982, Leo accepted a position with Butte Public School system in Butte, Montana. Leo established the Montana State Athletic Trainers Association, of which he was the first president. Leo remained in Montana until 1984 when he accepted a position to be the Director of Athletic Training with Red River Valley Sports Medicine Institute in Fargo. He remained with Red River as the Director for 17 years.

Over the past 28 years Leo has held several different positions within the North Dakota Athletic Trainer's Association, district five of the NATA and at the National Athletic Trainers Association level.

Leo and his wife, Laura, are both employed by the Fargo Public School system and reside in Fargo, ND. They have two children, Leandra and Kristopher.