This article was originally published prior to June 2, 2013.  Due to a change in content management systems, the initial publication date is not available.

Director of Sports Medicine Lynn Bott never pictured himself working at Baker University or as a Hall of Fame athletic trainer, he said.

However, he has done both this year, and he said both have been an honor.

Bott began work at the University of Kansas when the program was still small.

“When I got there, there were only two athletic trainers,” Bott said. “When I left, there were 14.”

Not only did Bott help expand the athletic training program at KU, he had the opportunity to experience Div. I athletics first hand.

Bott said in the beginning the few trainers mostly focused on fall and spring football and basketball. But, eventually, the number of trainers increased and each of them had their own coverage of a single sport.

After making enormous strides with the athletic training department at KU, Bott said he has found a new home at Baker.

The first major change Bott made to the program at Baker was the addition of athletic trainer Lynsey Payne. Having a male and female trainer available makes it more comfortable for athletes, Bott said.

Aside from that, Bott said he doesn’t plan on making any tremendous changes to the program.

“There won’t be a lot of changes,” Bott said. “I plan to keep student assistants actively involved, though.”

The opportunity for Baker athletes to seek medical advice from a nationally-renowned trainer has its benefits, football player Frank Owens said.

“He is a great guy and seems like he knows what he is talking about,” Owens said. “He is pretty honest and won’t hold anything back.”

Football coach Mike Grossner said he thinks of Bott as a member of his coaching staff.

“He is a big part of our success,” Grossner said. “He helps on a week-to-week basis, so we can suit up Saturday with a healthy team.”

Grossner said Bott’s style closely resembles his own coaching style.

“Lynn’s experience at Kansas has allowed him to adapt to any style, and I see myself as that type of coach, too,” Grossner said.

Bott’s experience, knowledge and ability to communicate is what helps out his team the most, Grossner said.

“We deal with such a large number of athletes that the trainer usually has a better barometer of how the athletes are feeling,” Grossner said.

Athletic Director Dan Harris said a change in the previous athletic training staff left the spot wide open and it was an easy decision.

“(Bott) had just left Kansas University,” Harris said. “He is a great trainer, so we brought him in.”

Once he had Bott on campus it was easy to get him on board, Harris said.

“I think part of it was he came over here and literally fell in love with the place,” Harris said. “Baker is a close-knit family.”

And, for Bott, it was all about the family.

“What I like most about (Baker) is the fact that its very family-oriented,” Bott said. “It wasn’t too difficult of a sale — I knew a lot about Baker.”

Bott said the location played a large role in his decision.

“I wasn’t really wanting to leave this area,” Bott said. “It’s always been a very good fit. We have a little different set-up here, but it’s outstanding.”

Bott said he tries not to look back, but misses some aspects of his former job at KU.

“To be honest with you I can’t look back,” he said. “I miss the associations with the people and the students.”

However, Bott said he plans on sticking around Baker for awhile.

“In this day and age you never know, but I’d like to say it’s a permanent spot,” he said. “I’d like to stay in higher education. Besides, I’m a Kansan. I want to stay in my state.”

Harris said he is excited for what Bott is bringing to the program at Baker.

“He has brought credibility in the sports medicine world to Baker,” Harris said. “He is in the Hall of Fame and has been Athletic Trainer of the Year – everyone knows who Lynn is.”