Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association

After graduating from Mercer College in 1923, Charles "Smokey" Harper became known as one of the most prominent athletic trainers in the Southeast Conference. From 1931 to 1936 he trained at Vanderbilt before moving on to Florida for a short time. Smokey also worked at UCLA for “Red” Sanders for one year. In 1940 he returned to Vanderbilt, met Paul "Bear" Bryant and followed the coaching legend to Kentucky, Texas A&M and Alabama before he eventually retired. During his career he served as a mentor to "Rusty" Payne at Kentucky, and to Billy Pickard, Roy Don Wilson and Jerry Rhea at Texas A&M. He was regarded by his fellow athletic trainers and students as a nice and very practical man. Coach Bryant commented that he could read people better than anyone he ever had on his staff.

Werner "Dutch" Luchsinger was associated with sports in the southern section of the U.S. for 48 years. Dutch was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and studied at State Teachers College in Milwaukee before attending Tulane University. He was a three sport standout in football, baseball, and track at Tulane prior to earning his degree in 1930. After graduation, Luchsinger, better known as “Dutch”, served as Athletic Director at Fortier High School in New Orleans from 1930 until 1941. From 1941 to 1943 he served as Physical Training Director at Keesler Field. In 1949 Dutch began his role as Mississippi State’s Head Athletic Trainer and continued until his retirement in 1965. He served as an Olympic athletic trainer in 1960. Dutch later worked as Athletic Trainer with the New Orleans Buccaneers an American Basketball Association franchise. During his tenure in Starkville, he became the first elected Director of District IX in 1950. He represented District IX on the NATA Board of Directors from 1951 to 1953 in addition to serving as the President for the SEC athletic trainers. Dutch was inducted in to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1967 and the Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1983. He was inducted into the Mississippi State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. Later, in 2003, he was in the first class of inductees into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame.

• Werner "Dutch" Luchsinger was associated with sports in the southern section of the U.S. for 48 years. Dutch was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and studied at State Teachers College in Milwaukee before attending Tulane University. He was a three sport standout in football, baseball, and track at Tulane prior to earning his degree in 1930. After graduation, Luchsinger, better known as “Dutch”, served as Athletic Director at Fortier High School in New Orleans from 1930 until 1941. From 1941 to 1943 he served as Physical Training Director at Keesler Field. In 1949 Dutch began his role as Mississippi State’s Head Athletic Trainer and continued until his retirement in 1965. He served as an Olympic athletic trainer in 1960. Dutch later worked as Athletic Trainer with the New Orleans Buccaneers an American Basketball Association franchise. During his tenure in Starkville, he became the first elected Director of District IX in 1950. He represented District IX on the NATA Board of Directors from 1951 to 1953 in addition to serving as the President for the SEC athletic trainers. Dutch was inducted in to the NATA Hall of Fame in 1967 and the Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 1983. He was inducted into the Mississippi State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. Later, in 2003, he was in the first class of inductees into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame.

Doc Knight served the University of Mississippi for almost 28 years before his retirement in 1975. A 1935 graduate of Springfield College with a BS degree in Health and Physical Education, Knight went to New York City to study at the Eastern School of Physiotherapy and at Bellevue Hospital. After completing his higher education, Doc Knight served as a “trainer”, physical education instructor and assistant track coach at several institutions before beginning his almost three decade long career at ‘Ole Miss. Wes Knight was known for his fiery competitive spirit as exhibited by his pregame speeches to the team prior to Ole Miss Football Games. There was never any doubt about his caring for the many Rebel athletes he treated and loved. Many still remember and cherish the preseason letters taped to their lockers prior to August practice. While at ‘Ole Miss Doc Knight was not only the athletic trainer, but a very successful track coach as well. Knight produced several unbeaten teams and his squads produced several school records. Furthermore, Knight served as the President of the SEC Athletic Trainers Association and member of the NATA Board of Directors for District IX from 1961 to 1963. His greatest accolade came in 1969 when he was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame, the same association in which he was a charter member. After his retirement he was given the honor of “Trainer” Emeritus at ‘Ole Miss and was active in the coaching ranks for the Special Olympics. He was inducted into the University of Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame in and the Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2003. Doc Knight, 74, died in 1983.

• Doc Knight served the University of Mississippi for almost 28 years before his retirement in 1975. A 1935 graduate of Springfield College with a BS degree in Health and Physical Education, Knight went to New York City to study at the Eastern School of Physiotherapy and at Bellevue Hospital. After completing his higher education, Doc Knight served as a “trainer”, physical education instructor and assistant track coach at several institutions before beginning his almost three decade long career at ‘Ole Miss. Wes Knight was known for his fiery competitive spirit as exhibited by his pregame speeches to the team prior to Ole Miss Football Games. There was never any doubt about his caring for the many Rebel athletes he treated and loved. Many still remember and cherish the preseason letters taped to their lockers prior to August practice. While at ‘Ole Miss Doc Knight was not only the athletic trainer, but a very successful track coach as well. Knight produced several unbeaten teams and his squads produced several school records. Furthermore, Knight served as the President of the SEC Athletic Trainers Association and member of the NATA Board of Directors for District IX from 1961 to 1963. His greatest accolade came in 1969 when he was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame, the same association in which he was a charter member. After his retirement he was given the honor of “Trainer” Emeritus at ‘Ole Miss and was active in the coaching ranks for the Special Olympics. He was inducted into the University of Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame in and the Mississippi Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2003. Doc Knight, 74, died in 1983.