Augusta, Georgia—-Augusta University Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher announced the promotion of two members of the sports medicine staff: Dr. Lisa Cummins has been promoted to assistant athletic director of sports medicine, and Bonnie Messner has been named associate athletic trainer.
“Our department has one of the best sports medicine staff in the country, and I am excited to promote both Lisa and Bonnie to their new roles,” said Erlacher. “They both have an incredible work ethic, are great teammates, are servant-minded and care deeply about our student-athletes. Our department is extremely grateful for their leadership and dedication to our program. Our department will continue to invest in our sports medicine department and is committed to providing the best possible health and wellness for our student-athletes.”
Cummins is 22 years oldand Cummins has been with Augusta University’s athletic department for one year, leading the department since former athletic trainer John “Doc” Sullivan retired in 2017. Cummins and his staff are responsible for the health and well-being of Augusta University’s more than 200 student-athletes.
“I am excited to continue my involvement with Augusta University and the Athletic Department and look forward to growing in this new role,” Cummins said.
Prior to joining the Jaguars, Cummins was a senior athletic trainer at GR Health. She attended Millersville University, where she played softball from 1985-1986, before moving on to Slippery Rock University, where she played lacrosse in the spring of 1990. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the university and a master’s of education in exercise science. She will earn her doctorate in athletic training from Moravian University in 2022.
Messner is in her eighth year on the sports medicine staff, and her primary responsibilities include covering volleyball and women’s basketball as well as assisting with the care of all 13 NCAA sports and their athletes.
“I am excited to accept the position of associate athletic trainer for Augusta University’s athletic department,” said Messner. “As part of the sports medicine team, I look forward to continuing my work helping student-athletes stay healthy and achieve their goals.”
Prior to joining the Jaguars, Messner was a staff athletic trainer at GR Health Sports Medicine and served as an athletic trainer at local high schools from 2005-2016. Prior to coming to Augusta, she served as an athletic trainer at Truett-McConnell University and White County High School in Cleveland, Georgia from 2003-2005. Messner attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida from 1994-1998, where she played volleyball on the 1994 and 1995 teams and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science/Athletic Training in 1998. She earned a Master of Education from the University of North Georgia in 2003.
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