Lacerte, the Celtics' head athletic trainer, settled for a different honor Wednesday when he was named the 2011-12 recipient of the Joe O'Toole Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. The award is given annually to a member of the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association for exemplary achievement or outstanding service to the NBA, NBATA or his community, as voted on by his peers.
"I've known Eddie for 25 years," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in a written statement. "He is the hardest working athletic trainer and most experienced in the league. We are lucky to have him caring for our players."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers complimented Lacerte as the team's MVP late in the season, although the coach added that he hates it when Lacerte comes into his office "because it's not going to be good news."
Lacerte has been the Celtics' head athletic trainer for 25 years, longer than any head trainer in team history. He was the head athletic trainer for the legendary "Dream Team" during the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and is the namesake of the Ed Lacerte Service Award, which was named in his honor in 2009 for his contributions to the NBATA.
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