Dr. Bing, who serves as the team physician for Katy High School as well as other district schools, was nominated in the special category, which recognizes non-coaches and non-players who positively impact Texas high school football. In the past, sports writers, referees and other team physicians have been honored in this category.
Dr. Bing comes from a family of team physicians. He has been a team physician for 25 years, but unofficially since he was a kid, running the sidelines with his dad who was a team physician for Katy High School from the early 50's to the late 80's.
"These days, team physicians have a more active role with the teams we serve. We no longer sit on the bench with a black bag," said Dr. Bing. "In addition to taking care of the players at the game, we also take care of their overall health. We remain engaged in ongoing attempts to make participation safer. We also are actively involved in the debate over neuro screenings and echocardiograms that can identify some forms of hidden heart disease in our players."
Dr. Bing remembered a story that illustrated just how important team physicians are to a school and the impact they can have on their students.
"In 1998, a ftball player came in the Friday after Thanksgiving with appendicitis. The problem was identified and we arranged for a surgeon at the hospital to take it out laproscopically. He was able to play in the state championship game three weeks later and went on to receive scholarships after graduation."
According to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, new inductees to the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame are selected by a statewide committee made up of sports writers, high school football coaches, and members of the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
"It is great to be recognized for a role that I am so passionate about," added Dr. Bing. "I will accept the award in honor of all the people who came before me. My father, Lyndon, uncle Arlys, brother Paul and partner Rick Adams - all team physicians who continue to inspire me to serve the teams to the best of my ability. The real honor is being inspired by great coaches and players from every team in the district every year."