Feb. 20, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former University of Kentucky athletic trainer Marjorie Ann “Mimi” Porter has been chosen as the recipient of the second annual “Susan B. Feamster Trailblazer Award” presented by the UK Hoops’ Victory Club. She will be presented the award prior to UK’s home finale vs. South Carolina Sunday, February 21 at 3 p.m. EST in Memorial Coliseum.
The award, named for UK’s first women’s athletics director and former women’s basketball coach Sue Feamster, recognizes those who have exhibited leadership and innovation in furthering women’s sports at the University of Kentucky.
“When I first heard I was receiving this award, I thought about all of the coaches who also were trailblazers and the reason for the success of women’s program,” Porter said. “I also thought about all of the athletes that were so talented and wonderful to watch and work with. I’m very proud of Sue Feamster for being the foundation of this whole thing and I’m proud to receive this award.”
Porter earned both her bachelor’s degree in education from UK in 1969 and also her master’s degree in physical education in 1971. Once in graduate school, Porter became interested in sports medicine and athletic training and began studying for her certification under then-UK head trainer Roy Don Wilson and Dr. Bobby Barton. After completing 1600 hours of supervision and training techniques, Porter passed the national certification test with a perfect score and became not only the school’s but also the state’s and the Southeastern Conference’s first female certified athletic trainer.
Porter soon became a recognized and respected leader in both men’s and women’s sports medicine as women’s athletics was growing in Kentucky, the SEC and the NCAA. Porter began lecturing and teaching others around the state and across the country about the specialty of women’s sports medicine.
Along with head trainer Wilson and Dr. Barton, Porter wrote Kentucky’s first state licensure law for sports medicine and athletic training. One of the many highlights of Porter’s athletic career was instituting fitness and weight training protocols for women’s athletic teams, a first in the country. Additionally, Porter pioneered the need for basic equity athletic treatment by orthopedic doctors and developed protocols for women’s sports insurance at UK.
After 10 years of devotion to athletic rehabilitation and sports therapy, Porter combined her therapeutic and research skills with her lifelong love of horses. She formed her own business, Equine Therapy Inc., in 1981.
Since forming Equine Therapy Inc., the concept has grown into a profession pursued by many throughout the world. Porter has traveled extensively teaching and providing therapy to horses.
Porter developed the first curriculum in Equine Therapy for Midway College and wrote a master’s curriculum for UK’s College of Agriculture. A prolific research writer, she also has written two books that are considered groundbreaking on horse therapy and has written nine chapters in over 10 veterinary books and dozens of articles in magazines and journals.
In 1996, she served as Equine Staff Therapist for the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., and will be on staff at the 2010 World Equestrian Games this summer.
Porter and her husband Jonathon live and work on a small farm in Fayette County.
Former UK first lady, Gloria Singletary, was the first recipient of the award last season.
