Dr. Kevin Miller Receives 2026 Excellence Award from the Southwest Athletic Training Association
The Southwest Athletic Training Association (SWATA) just recognized Dr. Kevin Miller, a professor and faculty member in the Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP), with the 2026 Christine M. Bonci Excellence in Athletic Training Award.
A professor for Physical Recreational Specialists and Athletic Training Masters students, Miller dedicates his research time to exertional heat illness treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. “I have two major areas of specialization,” he said. “Exercise-associated muscle cramping and exertional heatstroke.”
This research is critical for the southwest region that SWATA covers, particularly Texas.
“Texas has one of the highest death rates from heatstroke in the country,” Miller said. “My work is trying to change that. We know that the best way to save people with heatstroke is to put them in a large container like a kiddie pool or tub filled with cold water and lower their body temperature before sending them to the hospital. Unfortunately, finding a large volume of water and tub in emergency situations isn’t always possible.”
Researching Life-Saving Solutions
Part of Miller’s selection for this prestigious award is due to his dedication to finding methods to address heatstroke and identify potential life-saving options for use in the physical recreation and athletic environment.
“In this past year we were able to do some really exciting research in my lab showing that the Polar Life Pod [a device similar to a body bag] can effectively cool people with small to moderate amounts of ice,” he said. “The portability of these devices and small amount of ice suggests that we can cool people while they’re on the way to the hospital in ambulances thereby preventing treatment delays and possibly saving more lives.”
Joint Effort Brings Real Results
Miller recognizes his efforts go beyond just himself and gives great credit to the students he has worked alongside in these efforts.
“I’m really proud of my students who have helped me on these projects and won awards on the HHP Scholars Day for their work,” he said.
The team’s efforts went beyond the classroom and research lab this year. Miller was able to bring nine undergraduate students to Falmouth Road Race in Massachusetts where they assisted him in conducting research on real heatstroke victims. Miller and his students worked alongside the medical staff to treat victims in real-time and save lives.
Valuable Partnership in Athletic Training
TXST’s partnership with SWATA reinforces the university’s standing in the community and broadens opportunities for faculty and students within athletic training.
“SWATA is one of the largest districts in the National Athletic Trainers Association,” Miller said. “Having Texas State faculty receive recognition from them speaks volumes about the amazing faculty we have here at Texas State”
This particular recognition means a lot to Miller who said that Christine Bonci, the athletic trainer for whom this award is named, was a true advocate for research and for using best practices to advance the athletic training profession.
“To receive an award like this that recognizes me for the impact of my research is truly an honor,” he said. “I’m very humbled my colleagues believe my work is making an impact.”