Johnny Long Athletic Training Facility

In recognition of his longtime service and support, the University of North Alabama dedicated the University’s athletic training room as the Johnny O. Long Athletic Training Facility. The athletic training facility is housed on the first floor of the Self Field House at UNA.

A crowd of more than 150 was on hand for the dedication ceremony that included remarks from Long, UNA Athletic Director Mark Linder, UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts, UNA Head Athletic Trainer Josh Penny and UNA Head Football Coach Bobby Wallace.

Long served as head athletic trainer at North Alabama from 1971-88 and helped play an instrumental role in the success of the Lion athletic program for two decades. A native of Moulton, Ala., Long graduated from UNA in 1972 with a B.S. degree in physical education, and he also received his Master’s degree from UNA in 1974.

He served as head trainer at UNA with five different head football coaches and four different head men’s basketball coaches, while also serving on the staff of the Blue-Gray Classic in Montgomery for a decade. Long was elevated to the position of Assistant to the Athletic Director at UNA from 1988-89 and has continued to serve on the Health, Physical Education and Recreation faculty at UNA for several years. His work with the daily care of Lion athletes helped pave the way for UNA’s 21 Gulf South Conference championships during his tenure as trainer.

In all, Long has worked at UNA for 43 years.