NHSSM

About our Organization

The text below contains the National Constitution under which all National Honor Society of Sports Medicine (NHSSM) for secondary schools/high schools will dictate chapter operations.

Local chapters of NHSSM are given authority to vary from some sections of this document.

View the constitution with adobe acrobat reader.

Managing Board:

Eli Hallak - President

Eli Hallak, ATC, EMT is in his 10th year as the Head Certified Athletic Trainer at St. Francis High School in La Canada, CA. He also holds his EMT certification, and is a certified instructor in First Aid & CPR for the American Red Cross. Eli grew up in the San Fernando Valley where he graduated from Alemany High School. He attended Humboldt State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with emphasis in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine. Eli has provided rehabilitative/emergency services to athletes at all levels of sport professional, collegiate, but has worked extensively at the high school level. He was employed in the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinic at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, in Mission Hills, CA. There, he refined his rehabilitation skills for four years, prior to reentering the traditional ATC setting. An Accredited Clinical Instructor for California Statue University Northridge’s ATEP Program, Eli has assisted with the growth of Athletic Training Students for the past seven years.
As a faculty member at SFHS, Mr. Hallak teaches Introductory Kinesiology & Rehabilitation, a course designed to introduce the field of medical sciences to high school students with an emphasis on Athletic Training. In 2001, this course was the first Sports Medicine/Athletic Training course in California to be approved as a Lab Science by the U.C. Board of Regents in the traditional classroom setting. Mr. Hallak is in charge of all health care on campus, oversees the Volunteer High School: Head Athletic Training Student / Senior Athletic Training Student / Rookie Athletic Training Student Program and is the Moderator for the SFHS Sports Medicine Club. Eli has also developed and oversees the annual SFHS Sports Medicine Competition which, over the past 5 years has become a state wide competition for high school students interested in the field of Athletic Training/Sports Medicine.
In 2003, Eli was named to the Far West Athletic Trainer’s Associations All District Team for Secondary Schools.
In 2007, Eli was asked to serve on the Advisory Panel for High Sports Medicine and Sports Therapy Classes, for Los Angeles County Regional Occupational Programs.
Also in 2007, while attending the St. Francis High School graduation ceremony, Eli envisioned the concept of the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine and along with colleague Cindy Kramer began to sculpt the organization.
He resides in Stevenson Ranch, CA with his wife and two daughters.

Cindy Kramer - Vice President

Cindy Kramer MS, ATC, CSCS is in her 20th year as the Head Certified Athletic Trainer for Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California. Cindy graduated from Los Angeles Baptist High School, continuing her education at California State University, Northridge. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Coaching. After teaching P.E. at the elementary/middle school level, she returned to complete the Athletic Training program at CSUN, becoming certified in 1987.
In 2006, Cindy received her Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine from the United States Sports Academy. Her focus in acquiring this degree was in rehabilitation. Also, in 2007 she became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Cindy has worked with collegiate and club level athletes but has primarily worked with high school athletes of all sports.
As a faculty member at NDHS, Cindy teaches physical education, biology, Sports Medicine, and Advanced Sports Medicine. The Sports Medicine class was developed by her in 1993 and received UC lab science approval in 2003. The Advanced Sports Medicine class is in the process of being recognized as fulfillment of the “g” requirement. Cindy is in charge of supervising all students involved in the Sports Medicine program including their participation in training room and athletic activities.
In 2007, at the invitation of Eli Hallak ATC, EMT, Cindy has helped develop the concept of the National Honor Society of Sports Medicine.
Cindy resides in Sherman Oaks, California.

Mike West - PR Chair

Michael West, MS, ATC, is a certified athletic trainer and assistant principal at Patriot High School in Riverside. West has worked in education since 1994 as an athletic trainer as well as teaching high school and college courses in sports medicine, physical education, and world history. Formerly the Athletic Director at Chino Hills High School, West was responsible for the development of athletic programs, hiring coaches and supervising field and facility construction.
West serves as the Governmental Affairs Chair for the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA), a professional organization that represents and supports California’s certified athletic trainers through communication and education. In this position, West has been responsible for introducing legislation calling for a defined scope of practice for athletic trainers in California.
West earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, teaching credential from National University (San Bernardino) and a Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Sciences from the University of Arizona.
West lives in Riverside with his wife Rhonda and his 3 children.

Sue McCoppin - Secretary

Sue McCoppin, ATC is in her 12th year as Head Athletic Trainer at Arcadia High School. As a Southern Californian native, Sue graduated from Cal Poly, Pomona with a degree in Kinesiology. Coaching was her passion; she began coaching prior to her college graduation and continued coaching various sports for the next 20 years along with teaching for 17 of those years. In 1992, Sue enrolled into the athletic training program at Cal Poly, Pomona. Being involved with athletics as a coach naturally led to an interest in the field of athletic training. She returned to school to become an athletic trainer so that she could assist the young athletes in speed, strength and offer qualified help with injuries from club and school sports. Sue is an ROP Sports Medicine Instructor and a member of the ROP Health Advisory Committee. At Arcadia High School she teaches Medical & Therapeutic Principles of Sport and Fitness (a U.C. Board of Regents approved elective) and Sports Medicine. Sue resides in Sierra Madre, CA with her husband.

Sarah Lang - Historian

Ms. Sarah Lang, MEd, ATC is in her 4th year as the Health Service Coordinator at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, CA. She began her Athletic Training studies at California State University, Northridge where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training. Ms. Lang continued her studies as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Wichita State University, graduating with her Master’s Degree in Exercise Science.
As a faculty member at St. Augustine High School, Ms. Lang teaches Anatomy and Sports Medicine, an advanced second year biology course that has been approved as a Biological Science by the U.C Board of Regents. In addition to coursework, Ms. Lang’s students spend additional time outside the classroom learning the topics of Sports Medicine that deal with the prevention, recognition, evaluation, and care of injuries. As the Health Service Coordinator, Ms. Lang oversees all health care on campus, including full-time athletic training duties.
Ms. Lang was a guest speaker at FWATA 2007. She spoke about offering Athletic Training classes at the high school and how to begin the process for getting U.C. approval. In her spare time, Ms. Lang plays roller derby for the San Diego Derby Dolls. Ms. Lang resides in San Diego, CA

Ellen Payne - Treasurer

Ms. Ellen Payne, MA, ATC, CSCS is currently in her 5th year teaching and working as an athletic trainer at Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley, CA. There she teaches a year long, UC approved, Kinesiology and Sports Medicine class along with an Advanced Kinesiology Independent Study. Both classes have an internship portion that allows students to get a first hand experience working in the Athletic Training Room. Ms Payne also covers all middle school and high school sports while supervising students from San Jose State University Athletic Training Education Program.
Ms Payne has a Masters Degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. While in school Ms Payne worked as Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at San Francisco State University with women’s soccer and men’s and women’s track and field. Ms Payne earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!). During Ms Payne’s career she has had the opportunity to work with athletes from almost ever sport you can think of, both in traditional and non-traditional sports, at all levels from elementary school to professional soccer and BMX riders. Her favorite sports to work with include wrestling and soccer.
In her spare time Ms Payne works as a volunteer ski patroller at Homewood Mountain Resort. There she is a medical instructor and the director of the mentoring program. She also sits on the board of directors as the treasurer for the Rotaract Club of Silicon Valley and Rotaract District 5170. Ms Payne lives in San Jose and has skied at least once a month all year long since December of 2005.