Norris Honoree Continues Setting Standards on Track, as Mentor
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 19, 2021
A staple of Michigan High School Athletic Association postseason track & field events for more than three decades, Grand Rapids’ Lewis Clingman continues to serve as an easily-recognizable host of Regionals and Finals in that sport for teams from all over the Lower Peninsula each spring.
But his tireless service to school sports stretches across the entire school year and is rooted in 53 years as an MHSAA-registered game official, and those contributions are being celebrated with his selection for this year’s MHSAA Vern L. Norris Award.
The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vern L. Norris, who served as executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86 and was well-respected by officials on the state and national levels.
Clingman was to be honored with his Norris Award this month at the MHSAA’s 41st Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet. However, the banquet was canceled for the second-straight year due to safety concerns because of COVID-19. He instead will accept his award as part of a virtual banquet to be published on the MHSAA Website and social media feeds later this spring.
Clingman first registered as an MHSAA official for the 1968-69 school year, to work track & field, basketball, baseball and softball. He has registered for track & field throughout his 53-year officiating tenure, and added cross country during the 2009-10 school year. He has officiated nine cross country and four track & field MHSAA Finals.
But that just scratches the surface of his many contributions. He is noted by many as a mentor – 2018 Norris Award honoree Jill Baker-Cooley that year specifically recognized Clingman among those who assisted her in getting started in the avocation. He also has been a catalyst of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Track & Field Finals’ two-decade run in the Grand Rapids area, where as a meet manager he continues to schedule and organize officials for all four locations of the season-ending series.
“I love being with the kids. It’s for the kids. And that’s why we’re here,” Clingman said. “The camaraderie with the other professionals that I’m with, and just watching the successes that go on. … But I love being with the kids. My kids are all gone; they’re all over the country, my grandkids are around the country. This is a great way to substitute (by serving) the kids who are here.
“If you’re in this for ego, you’re in the wrong business. And if you’re in this to make a lot of money and retire, you’re in the wrong business. When you think about it, 50 years of officiating, there’s a lot of (officials) who don’t last that long – they don’t because they’re not in the right business. But there’s a lot of people in this area, that are officiating, have been officiating, who will be (longtime officials) because they do it for the right reason.”
Clingman is a longtime member of the Association of Track Officials of Michigan (ATOM) and has received its Bob Bloomer Award, Bernie Abrams President’s Leadership Award, Art Jevert/Bruce Jacobs Distinguished Service Award, and three times its Past President’s Service Award. He also is a member of the West Michigan Officials Association.
Clingman also has served more than 40 years as an administrator, teacher and coach. He began his career at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Comstock Park, serving as middle school athletic director and basketball coach while also coaching football and track at Comstock Park High School. He served as head boys basketball and track coach and football assistant at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills during the second half of the 1970s and after also serving as head basketball coach for five seasons at St. Joseph’s Prep in Grand Rapids.
He moved on to serve as athletic director at East Grand Rapids High School, then after a brief stint in the business world began a 20-year tenure teaching middle school for Grand Rapids Public Schools before retiring from GRPS in 2011. During that time he became the spring event manager at Houseman Field, where at its peak he hosted on average a combined nine high school and college track meets per week. He also during his time at GRPS served as an assistant coach in football, basketball and track at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. He joined the staff at Catholic Central seven years ago and continues to serve as event manager and assistant to the athletic director.
Clingman was added to the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wall of Honor in 2016 and has received a GRPS service award.
“Lew has been someone who has given tirelessly, most of all of his time, over the years to really benefit not just officiating but school sports as a whole,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “The work Lew has done, specifically recruiting and training track & field officials – providing for a sport we don’t think of very often as having those needs – and the work he’s done with ATOM has just been incredible. There’s been nobody more important to the track & field and cross country officiating community than Lew Clingman.”
Clingman graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1965 and with bachelor’s degrees in history, physical education and English from Aquinas College in 1969. He earned a master’s in secondary administration from Michigan State University in 1978.
In addition to his continued service to Catholic Central, Clingman serves on the Aquinas Hall of Fame Committee and Alumni Association board, and on the Grand Rapids Public Schools committee for Houseman Field renovation. He also serves as an official for local Special Olympics events.
Clingman and his wife Cindy have been married 52 years. They have four children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Previous recipients of the Norris Award:
1992 – Ted Wilson, East Detroit
1993 – Fred Briggs, Burton
1994 – Joe Brodie, Flat Rock
1995 – Jim Massar, Flint
1996 – Jim Lamoreaux, St. Ignace
1997 – Ken Myllyla, Escanaba
1998 – Blake Hagman, Kalamazoo
1999 – Richard Kalahar, Jackson
2000 – Barb Beckett, Traverse City; Karl Newingham, Bay City
2001 – Herb Lipschultz, Kalamazoo
2002 – Robert Scholie, Hancock
2003 – Ron Nagy, Hazel Park
2004 – Carl Van Heck, Grand Rapids
2005 – Bruce Moss, Alma
2006 – Jeanne Skinner, Grand Rapids
2007 – Terry Wakeley, Grayling
2008 – Will Lynch, Honor
2009 – James Danhoff, Richland
2010 – John Juday Sr., Petoskey
2011 – Robert Williams, Redford
2012 – Lyle Berry, Rockford
2013 – Tom Minter, Okemos
2014 – Hugh R. Jewell, West Bloomfield
2015 – Sam Davis, Lansing
2016 – Linda Hoover, Marshall
2017 – Michael Gentry, Shelby Township
2018 – Jill Baker-Cooley, Big Rapids
2019 – David Buck, St. Joseph
2020 – Hugh Matson, Saginaw
High school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service also are being honored with service awards. Twenty-three officials with 50 years of service are being honored, along with 49 officials with 45 years. A 40-year award is being presented to 40 officials. In addition, 98 officials with 30 years and 181 officials with 20 years of experience are being honored.
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45 & 50-YEAR OFFICIALS
The officials on this list are receiving their 20, 30, 40, 45 or 50-year service awards.
20-YEAR OFFICIALS
Ada - Carl J. Cress
Alto - Joseph E. Geroux
Alto - Jeff A. Harp
Ann Arbor - Dana P. Fuller
Ann Arbor - Thomas R. Sumner
Armada - David R. Coenen
Battle Creek - Douglas R. Jones
Battle Creek - Steven C. Peine
Battle Creek - Ronald D. Stewart
Battle Creek - Pete A. Zapata
Bay City - Robert A. Bluhm Jr.
Bay City - Brad G. Champagne
Bay City - William R. Walter
Belleville - Rodney M. Sullens
Belmont - Duncan Powell
Berkley - Tony A. Beaulieu
Breckenridge - Gerald W. Saunders
Brighton - Melissa M. Flores
Brockway - Dennis L. Gerlach
Brownstown - Larry D. Pierce
Brownstown - Michael V. Roach
Brownstown Township - Joseph P. Ciaravino
Brownstown Township - Franco Gonzalez Jr.
Bruce Township - Nicholas G. Nowakowski
Burt - William J. Carstens
Burt - Ryan D. Galloway
Cadillac - Steve W. Fuhst
Caledonia - Daniel A. Stockel
Canton - Robert L. Altizer
Canton - Steve Nesovski
Cheboygan - Gail N. Scharffe III
Chesaning - Leonard L. Strait Jr.
Clinton Township - Arthur D. Jones
Clinton Township - Rachel M. Krone
Clinton Township - David T. Ryall
Coldwater - Scott D. Galloway
Crystal Falls - Thomas P. Courchaine
Davison - Joseph Whitman
Dearborn - Joseph D. Corso
Dearborn Heights - Stan M. Karchefske
Deford - Larry R. Barrons
Detroit - Michael G. Byrd
Detroit - Brian K. Smith
Detroit - Gaylon B. Williams
DeWitt - Quentin V. Alverson
Dexter - Robert J. Leadley
Dowagiac - Jim R. Nate
Drummond Island - Jack K. Miles
Empire - Charles M. Leduc
Essexville - Gary P. Schulz
Flint - Matt S. Kateman
Flushing - Todd J. Willis
Frankenmuth - Mark C. Jarlock
Freeland - Jerry J. Haines
Fremont - John H. Pell
Garden City - Lawrence P. Mills
Grand Haven - John F. Jakubiec
Grand Rapids - Steven E. Hedke
Grand Rapids - Michael James
Grand Rapids - Kevin B. Krauss
Grand Rapids - Timothy J. Likens
Grand Rapids - Megan J. Pell
Grand Rapids - Thomas D. Siver
Grand Rapids - Ronald D. Masters
Grandville - Richard J. Funk
Grandville - Troy A. Ungrey
Grawn - Kenneth C. Koehler
Grayling - Timothy J. Swope
Greenville - Martin A. Taylor
Grosse Ile - Raymond D. Geist
Grosse Pointe Farms - William C. Cunningham
Hastings - Andrew L. Discher
Hastings - Pattrick M. Jansens
Hillsdale - Keven D. Wolcott
Holland - Jeffrey A. Carper
Holland - George W. Kantz Jr.
Holland - Michael B. Torrey
Holt - Troy Gladstone
Hubbard Lake - Gary A. Medland
Hudsonville - John D. Wiercinski
Iron Mountain - William D. Edberg
Iron River - Robert P. Busakowski
Ironwood - Don J. Cvengros
Jackson - Nathan A. Gross
Jackson - Scott S. Maurer
Kalamazoo - Timothy J. Eastman
Kalamazoo - Janelle B. Holland
Kalamazoo - Robert A. King
Kalamazoo - Deborah L. Noble
Kalamazoo - Robert V. Wagley
Kalamazoo - Keith Williams
Kaleva - James K. Frizzell Sr.
Kent City - Rick D. Stockhill
Kentwood - Jermaine C. Jennings
Kentwoood - Donell R. Jones
Kingsford - Nicholas L. Gayan
Lake Orion - Michael J. Ley
Lansing - Gary N. Simpson
Lansing - Anthony D. Winston
Lenox Township - John J. Essenmacher
Leslie - Robert V. Barrett
Leslie - Jerry E. Miller
Linwood - Brad T. Wehner
Livonia - Ken Lauer
Lowell - Mark T. Bradburn
Lowell - Paul P. Durkee
Lowell - Chris T. German
Macomb - Gordon Machleit
Macomb Township - Ronald K. Jacobs
Madison Heights - Amy Bessler
Madison Heights - David B. McPhail
Manistee - Curtis J. Mathieu
Marcellus - Wade L. Bent
Marinette - Robert Deschaine Jr.
Marysville - Kevin T. Leeman
Metamora - Noelle R. Cole
Monroe - Kevin J. Holden
Montrose - Mark A. Emmendorfer
Mount Pleasant - Roger L. Lintemuth
Mt. Morris - Robert P. Emery
Mullett Lake - Alan J. Granger
Muskegon Heights - Ronald S. Jenkins
Nashville - Keith H. Jones
Negaunee - Christopher O. Sholander
New Baltimore - Mark W. Masters
North Muskegon - Michael J. Belmonte
Northville - Mark J. Parrinello
Oak Park - Mario Blocton
Oakland - Robert L. Zbytowski
Ontonagon - Jeffery M. Rule
Owosso - Brian L. Mendyk
Paw Paw - Alton J. Laupp
Paw Paw - Rick Jay Mitchell
Perrinton - Dan L. Sweet
Pontiac - John Cantu
Pontiac - Vance L. Hardiman
Portland - Adam J. Schrauben
Portland - Anthony J. Costello
Ravenna - Ted F. May
Remus - John S. Mayer
Rochester - Barbara Gemellaro
Rockford - Michael C. VanDyke
Rockford - John A. Woods
Roscommon - David E. Hansen
Royal Oak - Perry A. Brunetti
Saginaw - Patrick A. Campbell
Saginaw - Felipe Echeverria
Saginaw - Thomas A. Lewis
Saginaw - Daniel A. McIntyre
Saginaw - Barb A. Streeter
Saginaw - Jason R. Wildey
Sebewaing - Cheri L. Nitz
Sebewaing - Holly A. Roth-Guza
Sheridan - James Forton
South Lyon - Christopher R. Duprey
South Lyon - John C. Lindeman
Southfield - Eric V. Lee
St. Helen - Donald W. Clements
St. Johns - Chris H. Hyzer
St. Johns - Penny L. Keener
St. Joseph - Ronald L. Scudder
Stanton - Frank P. Marinello
Sturgis - Jean E. LaClair
Swartz Creek - Bill A. Dean
Swartz Creek - Dennis D. Simnitch
Swartz Creek - Derick R. Woodworth
Temperance - Kevin V. Brown
Three Rivers - Rebecca M. Neff
Three Rivers - Ed M. Smith
Traverse City - Dave R. Jones
Trenton - Eric J. Hoerle
Troy - Darrin Millar
Wakefield - Paul E. Harley
Warren - Roman R. Jablonski
Washington - Douglas H. Lutkenhoff Sr.
Waterford - Dwayne E. Little
Westland - Sharvon M. McNab
White Lake - David J. Schoenegge
White Lake - Keith M. Verellen
Williamston - Aaron L. Porter
Woodland - Kevin J. Duits
30-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian - Michael K. Stevenson Jr.
Allegan - Kevin Lawrence Gilligan
Allen Park - James C. Marker
Ann Arbor - Edward J. Mcconnell
Battle Creek - Cary P. Grant
Battle Creek - Roger L. Steele
Battle Creek - Chad D. Jackson
Bay City - Laurence E. Jacobs III
Belding - Francis Mason
Bellevue - Candice J. Whitney
Benton Harbor - Robert A. Edelberg Sr.
Benton Harbor - Larry Edwards
Bessemer - Sandra J. Muzzy
Beulah - Tammy A. Sedlar-Wing
Bridgman - Paul J. Pantaleo
Cadillac - Penny L. McDonald
Caledonia - David J. Driscoll
Cass City - David W. Hoard
Charlevoix - Dennis A. Phelps
Charlevoix - Randy K. Tarzwell
Clark Lake - Mike J. Jordon
Clinton Township - Robert M. Cichowski
Concord - Michael G. Ogden
Dansville - Charles H. Barrett
Detroit - Darlene J. Barber
Detroit - Kathleen S. Bridge
Detroit - Michael J. Dobson
Dowagiac - Randall G. Gross Sr.
East Jordan - Norman J. Vogt
Eastpointe - Jerry VandeVyver
Flat Rock - Theodore M. Wegienka
Flint - Michael D. Moreau
Freeland - Thomas E. Behmlander
Gaylord - David M. Becker
Grand Haven - Scott A. Vanderberg
Grand Rapids - Gene S. Debbaudt
Grand Rapids - Thomas M. Farley
Grand Rapids - Chris LaMange
Grand Rapids - Scott L. Smith
Grand Rapids - Mark D. Swets
Grosse Pointe Farms - Robert B. Conway
Hartford - Jason D. Meachum
Hastings - Stephen J. Laubaugh
Hillsdale - Scott E. Chase
Holland - Steven S. Bredeweg
Holland - William L. Lawton
Holland - Raymond G. Thomas Jr.
Holland - Mark A. Volkers
Holt - John D. Greathouse
Iron Mountain - Edward D. St. Arnauld
Iron River - Curtis J. Olexa
Jenison - Laurie A. DeWitt
Kalamazoo - Chris L. Grimes
Kaleva - Dixie L. Hoeh
Kalkaska - Diane L. Buttermore
Laurium - Matthew Vertin
Lincoln - Tim Paul Somers
Livonia - John P. Morris
Macomb - Douglas J. Rizzi
Mattawan - Michael W. Walters
Midland - John W. Day
Monroe - Douglas Boylan
Mount Pleasant - Brian J. Gould
Mount Pleasant - John Straight
Muskegon - Clinton A. Todd Jr.
Northville - Clinton C. Lawrence
Northville - Aaron M. Woodbury
Norton Shores - Jim P. Adrian
Ottawa Lake - Richard L. Deisler
Plainwell - Pete J. Boyd
Portage - Kevin L. Haun
Portland - Brian D. Russell
Redford - Anthony Johnson
Reed City - Earl G. Kage
Rock - Robert J. VanDamme
Rockford - Brooks McIntyre
Rogers City - Mary E. Fairbanks
Roscommon - Brian W. Reicks
Roseville - Glenn A. Jablonowski
Royal Oak - Raymond L. Smith
Saginaw - Cornelius Walker Jr.
Sault Ste. Marie - Murray J. Meehan
Shelby Township - John M. Rakowski
Southfield - Wallace L. Whitfield
St. Joseph - Kenneth R. Nolte
St. Joseph - Michael J. Petlick
Sterling Heights - Robert M. Iwasko
Stevensville - Howard L. Jackson
Swartz Creek - Richard E. Hunt
Warren - Steve C. Miller
Waterford - Michael Blom
Wayland - Robert J. Wolf
Webberville - Troy B. Perkins
West Branch - Douglas B. Grezeszak
White Lake - Charles E. Johnson Sr.
Wyandotte - Robert C. Wolsek
Wyoming - Carol L. Ross
Zeeland - Gretchen J. Galloway
40-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allen Park - James C. Bales
Battle Creek - David L. Eubank
Battle Creek - Edward B. Smith
Canton - Jeanne L. Martin
Canton - John O. Wright Jr.
Constantine - Marge Caid
Davison - Mitchell J. Olejniczak
Deerfield - William P. Gomoluch
Detroit - Robert W. Kirkland
DeWitt - Mark A. Robinson
Evart - Tom W. Adams
Flushing - Gerald Marenkewicz
Grand Blanc - Curtis L. Williams
Grand Rapids - Michael J. Duffy
Grand Rapids - Thomas D. Shearer
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey A. Wierzbicki
Grosse Pointe Park - Kelvin W. Wise
Grosse Pointe Shores - James L. Valliere
Holt - Lee Rodgers
Howell - Jim A. Murray
Ionia - Michael S. Antonides
Ionia - Mike A. Fuller
Iron Mountain - John N. Meyer
Kentwood - Rick S. Hazel
Lansing - Mark S. Ditsworth
Lapeer - Gordon L. Bade
Livonia - Brian R. Dinsmore
Ludington - John F. Shears
Madison Heights - Wilford J. Laveirge
Maple City - Joseph F. Dechow
Mayville - Clare L. Kreger
Muskegon - Onesiphorus B. Burrel Sr.
Muskegon - Melville B. Foster
Muskegon - Todd R. Geerlings
New Hudson - Dennis E. Evans
Norton Shores - Randall S. Martinus
Okemos - Michael J. Maisner
Plymouth - William R. Baumgart
Portage - Jerry A. Mais
Quincy - Robert C. Coward
Rogers City - Roger M. Wenzel
Roscommon - William A. Root
Smiths Creek - James D. Evans
Spring Lake - Robert L. Mol
Sterling Heights - Philip J. Lieblang
Traverse City - Dennis W. Hall
Troy - Jerald J. Sosnowski
West Branch - Matt Emerick
Wixom - Patrick L. Beagle
Zeeland - Linda S. Schmidt
45-YEAR OFFICIALS
Baraga - James L. Holm
Bloomfield Hills - Dennis F. King
Bloomfield Hills - W. Jack Morris
Bowling Green - Thomas L. Ford
Cadillac - William J. Allen
Caledonia - George B. Watterson
Clarkston - Dale A. Kutchey
Clinton Township - Dennis G. Clark
Essexville - William L. Post
Fairgrove - Jerry L. Lasceski
Flat Rock - Robert J. Brodie
Fort Gratiot - Julius A. Traub
Freeland - Kim D. Heisler
Gaylord - George-Tom T. Johnson
Gaylord - Kevin M. Leary
Gladstone - Wayne W. Marshall
Gladwin - Michael E. Steinkraus
Grand Rapids - Patricia A. Treman
Hancock - John D. Vaara
Hermansville - Robert J. Maule
Highland - Evan H. Lehto
Holland - Mary F. Colenbrander
Holland - Thomas J. Kruithoff
Holland - Barbara A. Shelley
Holland - David W. Smits
Iron Mountain - Jerry Reddinger
Jackson - Ardis Jill Conat
Kaleva - David K. Hoeh
Lansing - Karen L. Yanna
Livonia - Laura J. Alves
Manitou Beach - Allen L. Schuch
McMillan - Cliff J. Fossitt
Michigan Center - Daniel C. Bentschneider
Newberry - Thomas J. Rahilly
Northville - Edward K. Gabrys
Norton Shores - Duane A. VandenHeuvel
Oconto - Peter C. Pericolosi
Pontiac - Jerome C. Chaumley
Portage - Frank S. Gawkowski
Portage - Timothy J. Osterman
Posen - Kenneth Wozniak
Saginaw - John C. Flukes
Saginaw - John E. Oczepek
Sturgis - Raymond Martin
Swartz Creek - David J. Sutton
Three Rivers - Kim D. Losik
Traverse City - Michael J. Muldowney
Troy - James J. Stone
Wyoming - Sandra K. Noto
50-YEAR OFFICIALS
Battle Creek - Richard L. Randle
Bessemer - Henry E. Aapala
Caro - John H. Amend
Comstock Park - Riley S. Swinehart
Delton - Gregory W. Nikitas
Detroit - Richard L. Miller
Grand Rapids - James J. Aalderink
Grand Rapids - George H. Kniola
Holt - John S. Malatinsky
Howell - John S. Hardy
Jackson - Ozzie L. Hashley
Macomb - Chet W. Boss
Marcellus - Deborah L. Schug
Mesick - Paul G. Williams
Owosso - Paul A. Chaffee
Owosso - Edwin L. Rappuhn
Plymouth - Don A. Vogt
Prudenville - Robert J. Studer
Spring Lake - Joseph G. Popiel
Tecumseh - Nancy A. Hebert
Troy - Mike Luttenberger
Warren - Collette C. Hallberg
Warren - William Upina
MCC's Glover Fills Key Role as Athletic Trainer for Super Bowl Champions
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
August 6, 2024
David Glover never had the glamour role – and didn’t even play the glamour sport – during his high school days at Muskegon Catholic Central.
MCC is known statewide as a football powerhouse that ranks third in state history with 12 MHSAA Finals championships during the playoff era. But basketball was Glover’s sport of choice, and his specialty didn’t show up in the box score.
“I was the defensive stopper,” explained Glover, who graduated from MCC in 1996. “I was always the guy that Coach (Greg) Earnest would put on the other team’s best scorer. I took a lot of pride in that.”
Glover continues to be the ultimate team player, only now his role is the first assistant athletic trainer for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are aiming to three-peat this season as Super Bowl champions.
“As the team and the goals have grown, so have I,” said Glover, who has been on the Chiefs’ training staff for the past 18 years. “The job is the same, which is getting the players onto the field and back onto the field after injuries so that they can perform at their highest level. I have become more comfortable and experienced in that role.”
Glover broke into the NFL as an athletic training intern with the New York Jets in 2004. He came to Kansas City in 2006 when Jets head coach Herman Edwards took the KC job, bringing Glover and several other members of the training staff with him.
Glover quickly fell in love with the Chiefs’ famous family-first culture, along with the area’s world-famous barbecues. He also met his future wife, Jera.
He is known as a tireless worker and student of his craft, which has allowed him to steadily move up to his current position as first assistant athletic trainer on the Chiefs’ five-member training staff, second only to Rick Burkholder, the vice president of sports medicine and performance.
Glover’s skills also have caught the attention of his colleagues across the NFL, who awarded him the 2022 Tim Davey AFC Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year Award – given annually to someone who represents an unyielding commitment, dedication and integrity in the profession of athletic training.
Glover said a big reason for his success in his profession can be traced back to high school.
“Playing sports at MCC, especially for a smaller school, gave me such a sense of camaraderie, teamwork and a family outside of my normal family,” said Glover, the son of David and Lyndah Glover. “Those teammates energized me to be my best.
“There’s no doubt that some of the lessons that I learned playing sports in high school help me out in my job.”
Glover also ran track for the Crusaders – competing in the long jump, 200 meters, 400 meters and various relays – and said he enjoyed himself, even though he ran track initially as a way to stay in shape for basketball.
The highlight of his MCC basketball career came his senior year, when the underdog Crusaders captured a Class C District championship.
Growing up in Muskegon and close to Lake Michigan, Glover thought he would become a marine biologist someday – that is, until he suffered an injury during his senior basketball season.
Glover went up for a block and actually pinned the opponent’s shot against the backboard. However, the shooter inadvertently took his legs out on the play, causing him to crash violently to the court and lose feeling in his right leg for about 10 seconds.
The injury to his hip flexor put him on crutches for two weeks and off the court total for about a month, which he said “felt like the end of the world” at the time.
But the injury led him into rehab with Brian Hanks, a 1988 MCC graduate who was back working at his alma mater as an athletic trainer through Mercy Hospital.
Glover and Hanks turned out to be a perfect match. Glover was naturally curious about the entire process and wanted to know the “why” of his rebab program. Hanks recognized Glover’s interest in how the human body works and encouraged him to consider studying athletic training in college.
“God works in mysterious ways,” said Glover. “I was devastated when I got injured, but that experience opened my eyes to a whole new career. I wanted to learn everything I could about the human body and how it works.
“Looking back, the injury was a blessing in disguise. I wouldn’t change anything at all.”
Glover followed in Hanks’ footsteps and attended Central Michigan University, spending countless hours in the training room working with athletes in every sport – from football to track to gymnastics – graduating with a degree in health fitness and exercise science.
He said a huge inspiration in his career was CMU professor Dr. Rene Shingles, who in 2018 became the first African-American woman to be inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Shingles encouraged Glover to continue his studies at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, where he earned his master’s of science in athletic training.
He got his break into the NFL with his internship with the Jets, and his work ethic has kept him there for the past 20 years.
“If there are high school kids out there reading this, I guess I would tell them that there are a lot of different avenues to get to the NFL or the NBA,” Glover said. “I’m a perfect example. I didn’t even play high school football, but through athletic training I have been part of three Super Bowls.”
The Chiefs, who won their first Super Bowl way back in 1970, would have to wait 50 years (until 2020) to win their next one. But Kansas City now has won three Super Bowls in five years, adding titles in 2023 and 2024.
“To have these kind of experiences, and to be able to share so much of it with my family, is really a dream come true,” said Glover, 45, who said his ultimate goal is to become the head athletic trainer for an NFL team.
“I am always open to see what opportunities God has for me and what doors he opens.”
More immediately, with the start of training camp last month, Glover is back to his seven-day-a-week schedule, sharing the organization’s goal of making it to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season.
Glover has worked with all of the Chiefs star players at some point, including star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who he calls “a great, humble man.”
But perhaps the player he has worked with most is standout tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce, who has become a huge name outside of football as the boyfriend of pop sensation Taylor Swift, injured his knee during his rookie preseason in 2013, sidelining him for the entire year. Glover was assigned to Kelce for his rehab.
With Glover’s daily help, Kelce was able to get back on the field the following year and emerged as a star, earning him the 2014 NFL Ed Block Courage Award as a model of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage.
After winning the award, Kelce invited Glover (he calls him “DG”) and his wife to attend the award ceremony with him in Baltimore.
“That was a huge honor for me, and I was blown away,” said Glover. “I look at it that I was just doing my job. He entrusted and believed in me throughout the process, and it worked out great.”
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PHOTOS (Top) At left, David Glover as a senor during the 1995-96 school year at Muskegon Catholic Central, and at right Glover shows the AFC Championship trophy after Kansas City's 17-10 win at Baltimore on Jan. 28. (Middle) Glover, left, hugs teammate Doug Dozier after a victory over rival Muskegon Mona Shores in 1995-1996 basketball season opener. MCC finished 17-7 and a District champion. (Below) Glover poses with this year's Super Bowl Championship trophy alongside fellow Chiefs athletic trainer Julie Frymyer. (Trophy photos courtesy of David Glover; 1996 photos courtesy of the MCC yearbook.)