Athletic Training Distinguished Speaker Series

Keynote Speaker: Jeff G. Konin, PhD, ATC, PT, FACSM, FNATA, FNAP

Dr. Jeff Konin is one of the world’s leading authority figures when it comes to cannabis and athletic performance. As a consultant to numerous intercollegiate and professional sports teams, he has changed the way we educate athletes and made an impact on better understanding the risks and benefits associated with athletic performance when using various forms of cannabis ranging from THC to CBD.

Dr. Konin is a Clinical Professor at Florida International University in Miami where he serves as the Director of the Doctor of Athletic Training Program. He founded and chaired the NATA’s inaugural cannabinoid task force.

As a certified athletic trainer and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Konin served on the clinical staff for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games in 1996 and was the head athletic trainer for the USA wheelchair Paralympic Team that won a world championship gold medal in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 2010. He is also a member of the American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association (AMMPA), the Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC), International Cannabinoid Research Society, and the Florida CCORC Scientific Program Committee.

He is a past recipient of the NATA’s Professional Development Excellence Award, NATA Service Award, NATA’s Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, SEATA Educator/Administrator of the Year Award, NATA’s Distinction in the Advancement of Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues, International Service Award, and The NATA Foundation’s New Initiative Award. He is recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), and the National Academies of Practice (NAP). In 2020, Dr. Konin was inducted in the NATA’s Hall of Fame.

Special Guest: A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT

A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, is the 16th president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). Duffy’s three-year term began in June 2024. He assumed responsibilities from Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC. is the 16th president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). Duffy’s three-year term began in June 2024. He assumed responsibilities from Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC.

A.J. Duffy III, MS, ATC, PT, is the 16th president of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). Duffy’s three-year term began in June 2024. He assumed responsibilities from Kathy Dieringer, EdD, LAT, ATC.

Duffy has served as dean of athletic trainers in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and retired in October 2024 after 34 years as Widener University's head athletic trainer and physical therapist and his 42nd in intercollegiate athletics. Along with his assistants and in collaboration with Widener’s Student Health Services and the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), they provided medical care for the 600 Pride student athletes.

Duffy has been active in the profession, serving in various elected and appointed positions at all levels. For the Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society (MATS), he was its state liaison officer and co-chair of the MATS Hall of Fame Committee. For the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society (PATS), he served as secretary, past president, PATS Hall of Fame Committee chair and a member of the PATS Education Committee. For the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA), he chaired the EATA Exhibit & Sponsorship Committees and is a past president.

He has been a member of the NATA Convention Planning, Ethics, and International committees. Duffy served as the District Two treasurer and is a past director. He recently served on the NATA Research & Education Foundation Board of Directors. In addition, he served as the chair for the MAC’s athletic training committee.

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