Athletics: John Porche Has One More Season Left

 

John Porche, Louisiana’s Director of Athletic Training, has announced that he will retire at the end of the athletic season – ending his 29-year career at UL. By the end of the season, Porche will have participated in 424 collegiate football games as the head athletic trainer.

Porche has served 29 years as an Assistant / Associate Athletic Director and spent 38 years as a Head Athletic Trainer at the collegiate level. In total, he has spent 42 years in the athletic training profession, 41 as a head athletic trainer.

"I want to thank (former University president) Dr. Ray Authement, (former athletic director) Mel Didier and (former head football coach) Sam Robertson for giving me the opportunity to work at UL," Porche said.

"The administration, coaches and student-athletes have been great to work with.  I have been an athletic trainer for almost 42 years and have enjoyed them all tremendously.

"The University of Louisiana is a great place and will always have a special place in my heart.  I look forward to spending more time with my family and friends."

He came to the Louisiana staff in 1982 after serving nine years as Head Athletic Trainer at the University of North Texas. During his stint at North Texas, he also served as Assistant Athletic Director. Porche worked 99 football games at North Texas, and after this season, will have completed 325 games as the Head Athletic Trainer at UL.

As an adjunct professor of Kinesiology, Porche helped lead many students into the athletic training profession during his 37 years of teaching.

A Franklin native and 1969 graduate of Northwestern State, Porche served for four years as a student athletic trainer and was a graduate assistant for one year.

He accepted the position as head athletic trainer for the Memphis Pros franchise in the American Basketball Association for two years and served as athletic trainer for the Dallas Chaparrals for one year before taking the job at North Texas.

In 1995, he was honored by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association for 25 years of distinguished service. In June 1996, he received one of his profession’s highest honors when he was inducted into the Louisiana Athletic Trainer’s Association Hall of Fame.

Porche has three athletic training certifications including nationwide recognition by the National Athletic Trainers Association as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and recognized by the states of Louisiana and Texas as a Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT).

"John has been an intricate part of the Athletic Department for many years," stated athletics director David Walker.  "His contributions have been far more than just directing our Sports Medicine Program.  He is a very valued administrator that we rely on for his leadership, his experience and his knowledge of athletics.  He will be greatly missed."

Porche is very active in the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association.  He is a past Vice President of the Association and currently serves as a member of the LATA Hall of Fame Committee.

He is also a chairman of the Athletic Trainers advisory board to the State Board of Medical Examiners.

Porche and his wife Beverly have three daughters, Felicia, Jennifer and Julianna and three grandchildren, Laura and William Aguillard and Anna Michelle Castle.