Dave Binder

Dave Binder – Distinguished Service Award

In 2012, Dave Binder completed his 18th year at the University of New Mexico as the head athletics trainer. Under Binder’s guidance, which includes 40 years of experience, New Mexico has become one of the premier programs in Athletic Training.

The Big Spring, Texas, native received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in physical education from the University of Texas El Paso. Before returning to UTEP, where he served as Head Athletic Trainer for 13 years, he was a head trainer for the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Baptist University and Pan American University.

During his time at UNM, he has worked with every sport and has seen just about every injury that you could imagine. It is his job to keep our student-athletes healthy but he has made it a point to go above and beyond that task. Binder has a passion for athletic training and has made a lasting impression on the student-athletes, coaching staff, and the UNM training staff.

As a mentor to the student trainers, he has helped develop the careers for many of those who walk through the doors on UNM’s South Campus. Binder’s graduates have been hired by numerous Major League Baseball teams, National Football League teams, Hockey teams, Basketball teams, and Universities. He and his staff were also recognized as the Mountain West Conference Athletic Training Staff of the year in 2009.

Binder has been recognized for several awards throughout his career including the Distinguished Service Award for UTEP, becoming a member of UTEP Sports Hall of Fame, being elected to the El Paso Sports Hall of Fame, receiving the Everett Blackburn award for his unselfish devotion to athletic training, and being named an Honorary Lettermen for UNM in 2006. On top of the accolades, Binder was also selected as one of only three university trainers to be part of the 2008 NFL Combine. There is no doubt that Binder is a gift to the UNM Athletic Department and it is an honor to reward him with the Distinguished Service Award.