Joe Proski | |
|---|---|
_-_Phoenix_Suns.jpg) Proski in 1987 | |
| Born | (1939-04-19)April 19, 1939 (age 86) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation | athletic trainer |
| Years active | 1959–2000 |
Joe Proski (born April 19, 1939) is aPolish American retiredathletic trainer who spent the majority of his career as the head trainer for theNational Basketball Association (NBA)Phoenix Suns. After spending one season with theChicago Bulls, Proski left for the Phoenix Suns in 1968. Proski served as the head athletic trainer in fourNBA All-Star Games (1971,1975,1985 and1995) and was named Head Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1988. Following the1999–2000 NBA season, Proski retired from the NBA. His immediate successor for the position would be Aaron Nelson, who was the Suns assistant athletic trainer from 1993 to 2000. Nelson remained a part of the Suns' training staff until 2019, with him since working with theNew Orleans Pelicans. On April 1, 2001, Proski was inducted into thePhoenix Suns Ring of Honor.[1] In 2017, Proski was inducted into the Arizona Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame.[2]
Proski's father,John Proski, was a trainer for theNFLGreen Bay Packers.[3] Following the construction ofLambeau Field (then known as City Stadium) in 1957, John Proski became the manager of the venue.[4] Joe Proski grew up to become a fan of the Green Bay Packers due to his father's relationship with the team.[5]
Joe Proski went toMontana State University on afootballscholarship and during the summers worked for theGreen Bay Dodgers, aLos Angeles Dodgersminor league affiliate in his hometown of Green Bay, as a clubhouse manager. The team's manager,Pete Reiser, urged Proski to pursue a career in training.[3] Proski enrolled at theGus Mauch Florida School for Athletic Trainers inKissimmee, Florida and was certified in 1959.[6] He eventually joined theDetroit Tigers physical therapy staff duringspring training. His position with the Tigers led him to his first full-time training job with theChicago Cubs. The Cubs employed Proski for eight years before he left for the NBA.[3] Proski worked as a trainer for theChicago White Sox minor league affiliate inTucson, Arizona during the NBA off-season.[7]