Sports Medicine Director John Mayes Recognized By Texas Governor Rick Perry

Thursday, October 29, 2009

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas--Prairie View A&M University, Director of Sports Medicine John Mayes, MS, ATC, LAT has been awarded a Proclamation Certificate of Commendation from the State of Texas by Texas Governor Rick Perry, for his efforts in ensuring the success of the National Athletics Trainers' Association Research Educational Foundation (NATAREF).

Mayes, a 20-year employee of Prairie View A&M, has played a vital part in advancing the NATA's Research & Education Foundation over the past year as he established the John A. Mayes Scholarship Endowment, which will provide financial resources for educational research opportunities in the field of sports medicine for ethnic minority students in an effort to promote healthcare in the minority community.

"It's an honor to be recognized," said Mayes.  "I consider this to be a blessing and a special honor to have someone such as Gov. Perry of the great State of Texas to take time out of his schedule to commend me.  This really caught me by surprise".

Since establishing the scholarship endowment, Mayes has worked tirelessly to champion the NATA's cause. A Houston native, he serves on several boards in addition to serving for four years as the NATA National Liaison for the association's ethnic diversity initiatives. His work hasn't gone unnoticed as Texas State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee and Houston Mayor Bill White have also honored Mayes with Proclamations and Resolutions of Commendations.

Mayes, who has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of Sports Medicine on the high school, collegiate and professional ranks, said he's "motivated by the opportunity to help students succeed" in the field of sports medicine and life.  Prairie View A&M Sports Medicine has had nearly 65 student interns receive their undergraduate degrees and nearly 35 of them have obtained  master's degrees.

"I've had students to receive internships in the NBA, NFL, WNBA and conduct further graduate studies at universities such as Texas Tech, California University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg University and Stephen F. Austin," said Mayes.

With the amount of accolades that has been showered over Mayes in such a short amount of time, combined with his educational and athletic commitments to Prairie View A&M and his involvement with CAEOS Foundation Inc., one would think he would take time out to sit back and reflect on his accomplishments.  However, Mayes continues to work harder to promote his cause behind the scenes.

"I pray to God every day that he help me to remain humble. Many people sometimes get so involved with promoting themselves and their accomplishments they develop the tendency to ignore humility and servanthood.  I truly believe that by design we are servants to one another. What you do for others is what really counts," he said. 

"Others may do things for alternative motives, but I was taught by my parents "I am my brother's keeper".  I think that when your work is speaking, the best thing for any man to do is remain quiet." 

Featured above: John Mayes, who was recently presented with a Proclamation Certificate of Commendation by Texas Governor Rick Perry.