John Andersen is a native of Spokane, WA, where he attended North Central High School. It was there that he first became acquainted with Athletic Training and spent three years as a Student Athletic Trainer. He then attended Washington State University on an Athletic Training scholarship, graduating in 1970 with a BS in Physical Education with Distinction.  John received a MA in Physical Therapy from Stanford University in the spring of 1972.  In addition to working with the 1971 & 1972 Rose Bowl Champions he was an Athletic Trainer for three East-West Shrine games, USOC Long Distance Training Center and the National AAU Track and Field Championships.  John became a Certified Member of the NATA in January 1971 and celebrated his 50th year of membership in 2016.

John’s professional career began in 1972 at the University of Washington where he was an Assistant AT and Clinical Associate of the Dept. of Orthopedics.  In 1975 he was appointed Co-Head Athletic Trainer responsible for administration of the Sports Medicine Department as well as Head AT for Basketball.  While in Seattle he was active in the NATA serving as the District Secretary for District 10 for 7 years.  Committee memberships included Research and Injury (2 years), National Membership (5 years), Grants and Scholarship (3 years) and the Honors and Awards Committee (9 years).

In 1975, he entered professional sports as Head AT with the Seattle Sounders of the NASL.During that time, John continued his strong support of Student AT clinics and workshops, with numerous speaking engagements including the 1975 NATA National Meeting in Anaheim, CA.

September 1981 brought a move to San Antonio as Head AT for the NBA Spurs.  John’s predecessor, AAATA HOF Member Bernie LaReau, quickly got him involved with the AAATA and local High School Athletic Trainers.  During his 17-year career with the Spurs, he remained active in the NATA participating in local and national Student Trainer Workshops and was named Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer in 1996.

While with the Spurs, John was actively involved with the National Basketball Trainers Association (NBTA).  He served as Secretary, Executive Committee, and as their Chairman.  As Chairman of the NBTA, he led the establishment of the Richard E. Vandervoort Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc. (Now theNBATA Foundation) honoring the long time Washington State University and Houston Rockets Head Athletic Trainer.  Dick was a tireless worker who set high standards for himself and his students.  Dick was inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame in 1985.  Every year since 1989 these scholarships have been awarded to both undergraduate and graduate level students enrolled in NATA-accredited programs.

Following his career with the Spurs, John remained active in Athletic Training working as a Contract AT with Edgewood, NorthEast, and San Antonio ISDs until retiring from Athletic Training in 2010.

John has been married to San Antonio native and Burbank HS grad, Belinda, for 31 years.  He maintains an active PT license and presently coordinates Total Joint Rehab for LifeSpan Home Health.  John serves on the BOD for LifeSpan Home Health and CDS in Texas as well as serving as Secretary for DSSW Management, Inc. John and Belinda are owners of four vintage automobiles.