February 24, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University head athletic trainer Denny Miller has announced the recipients of the 1999 Newell-Combs Athletic Training Scholarships. They are seniors Marc Haro, Michele Hayden and Jamie Ruark. The Newell-Combs Scholarships, which were instituted in 1987, are awarded to seniors majoring in athletic training who best emulate the qualities of William (Pinky) Newell and Dr. Loyal (Doc) Combs. Each winner receives a $1,000 scholarship for continuing education.
Haro, a native of Walnut Creek, Calif., has worked as a student athletic trainer for the Boilermakers since 1995. He gained experience with a variety of sports, including football, baseball, track and field, volleyball and tennis. In addition to working for Purdue Athletic Training, Haro has worked at the Purdue University Health Center and with the Indianapolis Colts.
Hayden, who hails from Fort Wayne, Ind., currently serves as the Purdue women's basketball student athletic trainer. A member of the student athletic training staff since 1995, Hayden has also worked with the football and volleyball teams. In addition to her work for the athletic department, Hayden has gained experience at Purdue's physical therapy clinic and at the Arnett Sports Plus Rehabilitation Clinic.
Ruark, a Rockville, Ind., native, has also been a member of the Purdue student athletic training staff since 1995. She has been extensively involved with the baseball, football and men's and women's tennis teams. Like Haro, Ruark has gained further physical therapy experience by working at the Purdue Student Health Center. She also participated in a clinical internship at the Arnett Sports Plus Rehabilitation Clinic.
The Newell-Combs Scholarships are named for William E. Newell and Loyal W. Combs, who were both instrumental in the development and advancement of athletic training at Purdue and across the nation. Newell served as Purdue's head athletic trainer from 1949-78. He helped found the National Athletic Trainers Association and was the NATA's executive secretary from 1955-67. Combs served as Purdue's head football team physician for 36 years and was director of the Purdue Student Hospital from 1956-81. Both Newell and Combs played football for the Boilermakers, with Combs earning Most Valuable Player and All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 1941. Newell passed away in 1984. Combs passed away in 1998.