About Us
About Me
My name is Aaron Taylor. I am also the President of the S.P.O.R.T. Foundation. The Foundation is a non profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the local athletes by using the funds raised for providing coverage for events, purchasing supplies for coverage, and braces for athletes. I also hold a position with Pittsylvania County Schools as the Athletic Training Coordinator.
I am a highly experienced athletic trainer with over 20+ years of dedicated service in Sports Medicine Outreach, Physical Therapy, and Rehabilitation. I started at Davis & Elkins College in 1995 and graduating with a double major and minor. I also played 4 years of Division 2 Baseball as a Third Baseman and Catcher. I completed the requirements to teach K - 12 P.E. and Health in West Virginia. I had a great opportunity to follow my passion further by attending West Virginia University and attaining my Masters in Athletic Training.
In 2002, took a position at Hargrave Military Academy as an educator and Athletic Trainer with the Post Graduate Football and Basketball programs. During the spring, I would be a volunteer assistant with the baseball team. I applied for an assistant position at Averett University but the Director at Averett, Lee Burton, presented me with a different plan. He mentioned the Sports Medicine Outreach program so I took a leap of faith. I began working at Rehabilitation Services of Danville (OSPT) in 2004 and running the Sports Medicine Outreach Program with Pittsylvania County Schools. I began working with many great professionals (Gray Cook, PT; Lee Burton, ATC; Cortney Herndon, DPT, Mary Ellen Woods, PT, Heath Hylton, PTA, Leslie Lovelace, PT). I have had the opportunity to work with many great athletes and coaches during this journey. In 2023, I was honored by being inducted into the Pittsylvania County Sports Hall of Fame.
I have continued giving back to the youth by coaching baseball for Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation as well as Youth Dirtbag Baseball. I wanted to give young athletes opportunities that I didn't have growing up. That is also why I started SPEAR Training & Consulting, LLC. I feel there is huge need in this area for a bridge between Athletic Performance and Rehabilitation that goes beyond personal training. SPEAR (Sports Performance & Evaluation | Athletic Rehabilitation & Training | Consulting) offers something that many facilities doesn't. The medical expertise to understand functional movement and the ability to properly teach techniques to build strength, power, speed, and acceleration for athletes.
Our history
The S.P.O.R.T. Foundation was established in 2000 as a 501 (c) (03) non-profit organization designed to help support the five local high schools and their student–athletes in honor of Charles “Smitty” Smith, PT. This is a way for local professionals to give back to the Pittsylvania County student-athletes and offset costs for supplies, coverage, and bracing needs. The Foundation provides the best available opportunities for student-athletes every year at the four high school locations (Chatham HS, Dan River HS, Gretna HS, and Tunstall HS). Funds are used to purchase supplies (tape, pre wrap, first aid, etc..) for games/practice, providing qualified professionals for game/competition coverage, and even purchase braces for underprivileged athletes with low income.
Our mission
At the SPORT Foundation, we are dedicated to empowering local high school athletes. Our mission is to provide essential resources and support services for their athletic endeavors.