Racing became a part of Phil's life at a young age. As a
rambunctious 9 year old, Phil often needed time out on Sundays
and was made to listen to the races with his father on the radio.
Soon Phil found himself listening for particular drivers and the
punishment became a pleasure! Phil was also athletically
involved as a youth. He spent a great deal of time involved in high
school track and field and distance running. His determination led
him to an undefeated regular season and conference title with all
conference honors in the 2 mile run. In 1976, he was one of
highest ranked distance runners in the western region of the state
of North Carolina. Though Phil enjoyed participating in athletics,
his heart was in the working behind the scenes of sports. In 1975,
Phil attended the Crammer Student Athletic Training Workshop
and was introduced to the basics of first aid and sports injury
management. This stepping stone made him part of one of the
first groups to become nationally certified in the field of athletic
training.
Phil graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in 1983
and continued academic studies in the graduate program at
Michigan State University. During his time at Michigan State, he
was also employed as a Grad Assistant Football Athletic Trainer.
In 1985, Phil was hired at Florida A&M University as its first
certified Head Athletic Trainer. He oversaw sports medicine for 17
collegiate sports teams and lead a staff that consisted of
assistants, grad assistants, and student assistant athletic
trainers. In 1990, Phil continued his career as the Head Football
Athletic Trainer at Memphis State University, today known as
University of Memphis. With a growing desire to pursue a career
in professional athletics, Phil left Memphis to become the
Assistant Athletic Trainer and Strength Coach with the NBA
Milwaukee Bucks from 1991 to 1996.
Phil has experience in an array of sports and events. As a
member of 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games sports
medicine team (COG), Phil has coached, trained, and motivated
some of the worlds best athletes.
In 1989, Phil established the company Athletic Training Concept
Inc.(ATC Inc.), a business which involved the merging of
coaching, physical fitness, and sports medicine to fit the ever
changing needs of the "weekend athlete." Upon leaving the
Milwaukee Bucks, Phil rekindled ATC Inc. As a full time endeavor
which led him to become the personal trainer for former NASCAR
driver Ernie Irving. His clientele broadened to include pit crew
men, as well as 8 other NASCAR drivers and 12 racing teams
over the span of 7 years.
Phil is also the former Pit Crew Coach for Chip Ganassi Racing,
and driver Juan Pablo Montoya #42. As a 10 year veteran in
NASCAR, Phil has accumulated an impressive record with 5
Craftsman Truck, 11 Busch, and 15 Nextel Cup series wins with
notable drivers such as Rick Crawford, Terry Cook, Jason Keller,
and Dale Jarrett, along with Elliott Sadler, and Juan Pablo
Montoya. Phil has developed his own coaching philosophy on the
fundamentals for pit crew men who service the race cars.
Phil's prestiges NASCAR career has made him a commodity to
the sport. If any one has a question about the infamous pit stop in
NASCAR racing, Phil is the man to ask! He has been featured in
TV SPECIALS such as CBS EVENING NEWS, CNN / Doctor
Sanjay Gupta, ESPN / Outside The Lines, Fox Sports South /
Around The Track, and The Movie Talladega Nights (Consultant).
Phil continues to keep abreast of todays latest athletic training
tips by working annually with fellow colleagues Ron Medlin, Head
Athletic Trainer with the Atlanta Falcons and Scotty Patton, Head
Athletic Trainer with the New Orleans Saints.
T.Knight 2007
Professional Contributions
Community Service
Professional Accomplishments
Check out Phil's Resume
rambunctious 9 year old, Phil often needed time out on Sundays
and was made to listen to the races with his father on the radio.
Soon Phil found himself listening for particular drivers and the
punishment became a pleasure! Phil was also athletically
involved as a youth. He spent a great deal of time involved in high
school track and field and distance running. His determination led
him to an undefeated regular season and conference title with all
conference honors in the 2 mile run. In 1976, he was one of
highest ranked distance runners in the western region of the state
of North Carolina. Though Phil enjoyed participating in athletics,
his heart was in the working behind the scenes of sports. In 1975,
Phil attended the Crammer Student Athletic Training Workshop
and was introduced to the basics of first aid and sports injury
management. This stepping stone made him part of one of the
first groups to become nationally certified in the field of athletic
training.
Phil graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in 1983
and continued academic studies in the graduate program at
Michigan State University. During his time at Michigan State, he
was also employed as a Grad Assistant Football Athletic Trainer.
In 1985, Phil was hired at Florida A&M University as its first
certified Head Athletic Trainer. He oversaw sports medicine for 17
collegiate sports teams and lead a staff that consisted of
assistants, grad assistants, and student assistant athletic
trainers. In 1990, Phil continued his career as the Head Football
Athletic Trainer at Memphis State University, today known as
University of Memphis. With a growing desire to pursue a career
in professional athletics, Phil left Memphis to become the
Assistant Athletic Trainer and Strength Coach with the NBA
Milwaukee Bucks from 1991 to 1996.
Phil has experience in an array of sports and events. As a
member of 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games sports
medicine team (COG), Phil has coached, trained, and motivated
some of the worlds best athletes.
In 1989, Phil established the company Athletic Training Concept
Inc.(ATC Inc.), a business which involved the merging of
coaching, physical fitness, and sports medicine to fit the ever
changing needs of the "weekend athlete." Upon leaving the
Milwaukee Bucks, Phil rekindled ATC Inc. As a full time endeavor
which led him to become the personal trainer for former NASCAR
driver Ernie Irving. His clientele broadened to include pit crew
men, as well as 8 other NASCAR drivers and 12 racing teams
over the span of 7 years.
Phil is also the former Pit Crew Coach for Chip Ganassi Racing,
and driver Juan Pablo Montoya #42. As a 10 year veteran in
NASCAR, Phil has accumulated an impressive record with 5
Craftsman Truck, 11 Busch, and 15 Nextel Cup series wins with
notable drivers such as Rick Crawford, Terry Cook, Jason Keller,
and Dale Jarrett, along with Elliott Sadler, and Juan Pablo
Montoya. Phil has developed his own coaching philosophy on the
fundamentals for pit crew men who service the race cars.
Phil's prestiges NASCAR career has made him a commodity to
the sport. If any one has a question about the infamous pit stop in
NASCAR racing, Phil is the man to ask! He has been featured in
TV SPECIALS such as CBS EVENING NEWS, CNN / Doctor
Sanjay Gupta, ESPN / Outside The Lines, Fox Sports South /
Around The Track, and The Movie Talladega Nights (Consultant).
Phil continues to keep abreast of todays latest athletic training
tips by working annually with fellow colleagues Ron Medlin, Head
Athletic Trainer with the Atlanta Falcons and Scotty Patton, Head
Athletic Trainer with the New Orleans Saints.
T.Knight 2007
Professional Contributions
- 1986 - 1991 National Athletic Training Association /
Chairman Ethic Diversity Council - 1990 National Athletic Training Association Symposium /
Guest Speaker / New Orleans, LA - 2000 Virginia Athletic Trainers State Meeting / Guest
Speaker / Lynchburg, VA
Community Service
- 1993 founded MLK/ATC Basketball Camp in Lenoir, NC
- Sponsor of several sports events with the City of Lenoir
Parks and Recreational Department
Professional Accomplishments
- 1991 presented the key to the City of Lenoir
- 1994 presented Bill Chisholm Professional Service Award
by National Athletic Training Association - 2005 Inducted in the Association for Diversity in
Motorsports Hall of Fame - 2005 Inducted in the Caldwell County Sports Hall of Fame
Check out Phil's Resume
Who is Phil?
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NASCAR Pit Crew Coach, Athletic Trainer & Motivational Speaker
Copyright © 2008. www.philhorton.org. All rights reserved.