Eastern Connecticut State University

Dr. David G. Yeo served the University for 26 years as an educator and head athletic trainer, becoming only the second inductee who was neither an athlete nor a coach. The Newton, Mass. native was hired in 1986 to teach physical education and serve as the department’s first fulltime certified athletic trainer. He retained those positions through the spring of 2012 and currently serves the University as a Professor Emeritus. Dr. Yeo served as the athletic department’s only fulltime trainer until 1999, when he was joined on the athletic training staff by his former student, Tom Holton. For Dr. Yeo, it is a source of pride that he never missed a day of teaching nor a shift in the athletic training room because of illness. But beyond his remarkable record for longevity and reliability, Dr. Yeo’s gift to his students and student-athletes was manifest in his selflessness, caring, fairness, enthusiasm and humor, a commitment to providing round-the-clock care for those under his watch, and a willingness to log unlimited hours beyond the traditional work day. Despite the fact that Eastern did not offer athletic training certification during Dr. Yeo’s career, 12 former student trainers under Dr. Yeo went on to earn athletic training certification. In addition, six are physical therapists, six are physical therapy assistants, three are nurses and one is a doctor. Dr. Yeo’s additional contributions to the University included serving as co-founder and chair of the Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award Committee, chair of the Eastern Commencement Committee for a decade, and chair of the E-Club Hall of Fame for 24 years. Dr. Yeo was presented with the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s (CAHPERD) Professional Honor Award in 1999, and was inducted into the Connecticut Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) Hall of Fame in May of 2014.