Ronald "Doc" Leonard VanDam
(January 22, 1937 - July 26, 2014)
(January 22, 1937 - July 26, 2014)
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Open Door Baptist Church, 4838 East Meadow Lark Lane, Columbia, MO 65201. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the Church.
Ronald Leonard VanDam was born January 22, 1937 in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of Rev. Leonard and Marian Perkins VanDam and they preceded him in death. He married Jonell Willis May 30, 1964 in Milton, KY and she survives. Other survivors include two daughters: Ronda Wickham (Matt) and Rebecca Campbell (Jerry). Two brothers: Dr. Jim VanDam (Judy) and Tim VanDam (Martha). Five grandchildren also survive: Hannah Bruce (Devin), Abby Wickham, Grace Wickham, Cody Campbell and EmmaLee Campbell
Dr. VanDam had a distinguished career as Head Athletic Trainer and Professor at the University of Central Missouri for 31 years. He was elected into four Hall of Fames: Missouri Athletic Trainers Association HOF (1988), Missouri Sports HOF (1994), District 5 Mid-American Athletic Trainers Association HOF (1997), and the University of Central Missouri Sports HOF (2006). In 1993 the Student Trainer Alumni of UCM established the Dr. Ronald VanDam Student Athletic Training Scholarship and in 2011 the new 6,000 square foot athletic training facility was named the Dr. Ron “Doc” VanDam Athletic Training Facility.
In his spare time he enjoyed handball, racquetball, reading, fishing and carving.
His first love was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, followed by his family, his athletic training family and his many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UCM Foundation Dr. Ronald VanDam Student Athletic Training Scholarship, Smiser Alumni Center, Warrensburg, MO 64093 or Open Door Baptist Church, 4838 East Meadow Lark Lane, Columbia, MO 65201.
Ronald "Doc" VanDam
Ronald "Doc" VanDam, 77, legendary and beloved head athletic trainer at the University of Central Missouri, died July 26, 2014. He was born Jan. 22, 1937, in Kalamazoo, Mich., the son of Rev. Leonard and Marian Perkins VanDam. He married Jonell Willis May 30, 1964, in Milton, Ky. She survives as well as two daughters, two brothers and five grandchildren. Following his arrival on campus in 1969, he assumed a split assignment between athletics and academics. He developed the athletic training program into one recognized throughout the country while developing and expanding the Athletic Training Education Program into one of the nation's premier degree programs for preparing future generations of athletic trainers. During his 31 years at UCM, he was an integral part of 78 MIAA Championships, 41 MIAA Conference Tournament Championships, 26 NCAA Regional Championships and three NCAA National Championships. In 1993, the Student Trainer Alumni Club of UCM established the Dr. Ronald VanDam Student Athletic Training Scholarship. In 2011, the university named the new 6,000-square-foot athletic training facility in the recently renovated Morrow-Garrison complex in his honor. VanDam was inducted into the Missouri Athletic Trainers' Hall of Fame in 1988, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, the District V Mid-American Athletic Trainers' Hall of Fame in 1997, and the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. Memorials are suggested to the Dr. Ronald VanDam Student Athletic Training Scholarship, UCM Foundation, Smiser Alumni Center, Warrensburg, MO 64093
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Our condolences and prayers to the family and to all the friends and students of Doc Vandam, of which there are 1,000's. He was at the heart of UCM Mule Nation, thank you Doc.
Our condolences and prayers to the family and to all the friends and students of Doc Vandam, of which there are 1,000's. He was at the heart of UCM Mule Nation, thank you Doc.
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| Ronald L. "Ron" VanDam |
If you competed in sports at the University of Central Missouri between 1969 and 2000, you knew Ron “Doc” VanDam. He probably kept you healthy and helped you gain a competitive advantage. For more than 30 years, VanDam served as UCM’s head athletic trainer in all sports. He was an integral part in 78 MIAA conference championships, 41 conference tournament championships, 26 NCAA regional championships and three national championships.
He’s been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1988, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the District 5 Mid-America Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 1997.
As much as VanDam impacted the university’s competitive successes, he also influenced its academic programs. His ideas started the nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate athletic training programs at UCM today.
The university honored VanDam Jan. 22 by dedicating the Dr. Ron VanDam Athletic Training Facility in the just-opened, newly renovated Morrow-Garrison complex and by recognizing him during halftime of a basketball game. The dual celebrations made VanDam’s 74th birthday a memorable one.
“It’s appropriate that we dedicate this new facility as a new foundation for a great program that has brought together many aspects of the community,” said UCM President Charles Ambrose. “Great programs such as this leap from the shoulders of great educators and professionals like Ron VanDam, and they provide the foundation for future successes for student athletes and athletic professionals.”
Others congratulating VanDam were Walt Hicklin, president of the UCM Board of Governors and former UCM Mules football coach; Patti Dinges, former UCM athletic trainer; Robert Russell, former member of the UCM Board of Governors and longtime friend, and Jim Moore, chair of the
Department of Kinesiology and a former student. Hicklin described VanDam as both a trainer and father confessor. “Students knew they could talk to Doc if they needed to, and many times that allowed the coaching staff to head off problems before they developed.” He added that VanDam
not only started the UCM athletic training program but also saved it when its accreditation was in doubt by working with the UCM administration to develop the necessary programs and faculty.
Russell added, “We’re here because Doc is a giver, not a taker. As a trainer, he treated the whole athlete. Student athletes always felt better after they went to see him, and he is proud of his graduates.”
CMSU athletic trainer Ron VanDam will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Medicine Hall of Fame Saturday. December, 1988.
Ron "Doc" VanDam Athletic Training Facility Dedicated
Contact: Mike Greife WARRENSBURG, MO (Jan. 25, 2011) – Ron “Doc” VanDam, the University of Central Missouri’s legendary former head athletic trainer and professor emeritus of physical education, was honored by UCM Saturday with the dedication of the Ron “Doc” VanDam Athletic Training Facility, located in the renovated Morrow-Garrison complex on the UCM campus.
Friends, colleagues and family joined VanDam at the dedication ceremony in the new facility, located in the lower level of the renovated Garrison Gymnasium. VanDam also was recognized at halftime of the Mules basketball game at the UCM Multipurpose Building Saturday afternoon. The state-of-the-art facility provides a total of 6,000 square feet of space shared by the athletic training program serving UCM athletes and the academic program serving students receiving degrees in athletic training.
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Jim Moore, left, chair of the University of Central Missouri’s Department of Kinesiology, presented Ron “Doc” VanDam with the plaque that identifies UCM’s new athletic training facility in the renovated Morrow-Garrison complex as the Ron “Doc” VanDam Athletic Training Facility.
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The dedication recognized VanDam’s 30 years of service as head athletic trainer for UCM athletics. Following his arrival at UCM in 1969, VanDam assumed a split assignment between athletics and academics. He developed the athletic training program into one recognized throughout the country while developing and expanding the Athletic Training Education Program into one of the nation’s premier degree programs for preparing future generations of athletic trainers.
UCM President Charles Ambrose noted that the dedication of faculty and staff members like VanDam provides the foundation for great universities.
“It’s appropriate that we dedicate this new facility as a new foundation for a great program that has brought together many aspects of the community, including athletes, faculty and the local medical community,” he said. “Great programs such as this leap from the shoulders of great educators and professionals like Ron VanDam, and they provide the foundation for future successes for student athletes and athletic professionals.”
Among those congratulating VanDam were Walt Hicklin, president of the UCM Board of Governors and former UCM Mules football coach; Patty Dinges, former UCM athletic trainer; Robert Russell, former member of the UCM Board of Governors and longtime friend of VanDam, and Jim Moore, chair of the Department of Kinesiologyand former student of VanDam.
Hicklin noted that VanDam not only served his athletes as a trainer, but also as a father confessor.
“They knew they could talk to Doc if they needed to, and many time that allowed the coaching staff to head of problems before they developed.”
“We’re here today in recognition of the time and devotion of Doc and all teachers who ask for an opportunity to serve students,” Russell said. He added that Van Dam not only started the UCM athletic training program, but saved it when accreditation was in doubt by working with the UCM administration to develop the programs and faculty needed to maintain the accreditation.
“As a trainer, Doc treated the whole athlete,” Russell said. “We’re here because Doc is a giver, not a taker,” Russell said. “Student athletes always felt better after they went to see him, and he is proud of his graduates.”
Moore noted that VanDam taught him many things during the years, but the most important was “how to be a great person, a great friend, and a great professional.”
VanDam received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University, Upland, Ind.; master’s degree from Ball State University; education specialist degree from UCM and doctorate from the University of Utah. Following his arrival at UCM, he played a key role in establishing the master’s degree program in athletic training while developing the UCM athletic training program into one of finest in the nation.
He served as president of the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association and as a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. He was inducted into the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Hall of Fame in 1988, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, the District V Mid-American Athletic Trainers’ Hall of Fame in 1997, and the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
During his tenure at UCM, VanDam was an integral part of 78 MIAA championships, 41 MIAA Conference Tournament Championships, 26 NCAA Regional Championships and three NCAA National Championships. He also served as a program associate for the Justin Sports Medicine Team covering professional rodeo and bull riding.
DR. RONALD VANDAM STUDENT ATHLETIC TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPEstablished 1993
The Dr. Ronald VanDam Student Athletic Training Scholarship is available through the University of
Central Missouri Foundation for an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Athletic Training with an
interest in becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer. This scholarship is made possible by way of a gift from
friends and former students in honor of Dr. Ronald VanDam.
CRITERIA:
To apply, a student must:
a. be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at UCM;
b. be pursuing a degree in Athletic Training with an interest in becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer;
c. be worthy, deserving and of good moral character;
d. show promise of leadership and academic ability;
e. have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.5.
SELECTION PROCESS:
1. The recipient(s) of the Dr. Ronald VanDam Student Athletic Training Scholarship will be
recommended by a selection committee comprised of the Head Athletic Trainer, the Athletic
Training Education Program Director and Dr. Ronald VanDam, or a designee named by him,
for as long as he wishes to be involved. Recipient(s) shall be approved by the UCM
Scholarships and Awards Officer.
2. The application must be delivered or postmarked by March 1. Recipient(s) shall be announced
by May 15 of any given year.
3. The Selection Committee, with the approval of the donor and the Executive Director of the
Foundation, will annually establish the number and award amount. If adequate funding is not
available, the Selection Committee may exercise the option of making no selection.
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UCM Dr. Ronald "Doc"VanDam" Athletic Training Facility Morrow-Garrison BuildingFacilities
The main facility utilized by the Athletic Training Education Program is housed within the new Dr. Ronald "Doc" Van Dam Athletic Training Facility in the recently renovated Morrow-Garrison complex. The facility boasts 6,000 square feet for classrooms and student learning labs, rehabilitation /reconditioning equipment usage, a physician examination room along with the main Athletic Training Room utilized by UCM staff Athletic Trainers. Additional on campus Athletic Training facilities utilized by the ATEP are located at the Football Stadium, South Recreation, and the Multipurpose Building.
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Ron VanDam was inducted into the Missouri Sports Medicine Hall of Fame in December in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field. Ron has been athletic trainer at Central Missouri State University since 1969 and holds the rank of professor in the CMSU physical education department. He and wife Jonell (Willis '62) have two daughters, Ronda and Rebecca.
Before retiring from Central as professor emeritus of physical education, Dr. Ronald VanDam developed a reputation as one of the state’s outstanding collegiate athletic trainers. Dr. VanDam earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at Taylor University in Upland, Ind., in 1963; Master of Arts degree at Ball State University, Muncie, Ind., in 1966; and his Education Specialist degree at Central in 1970. He also studied at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, where he completed his doctorate in 1973. Dr. VanDam came to Central in 1969, and since that time served as head athletics trainer and professor of physical education. He played a key role in establishing a master’s degree program in athletics training at the university, and was instrumental in developing Central’s athletics training program into one of the finest in the nation. His mentorship played a significant role in helping many former graduate assistants and student assistants to achieve successful careers in athletics training.
Inducted into the Missouri Sports Medicine Hall of Fame in 1988, Dr. VanDam treated thousands of Central student-athletes and helped them recover from injuries to resume their playing careers. He devoted countless hours in support of the university and its athletic teams, while serving three directors of athletics and at least 50 different coaches during his tenure.
Dr. VanDam is being joined in retirement by his wife, Jonell, who spent many years in the Department of Music. The couple has two daughters, Rebecca and Rhonda.
"Doc" VanDam Far Left with the 1984 National Champions CMSU
Mules of Warrensburg, Missouri
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