Augusta Athletics Announces Sports Medicine Staff Promotions – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, GA.—-Augusta University Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher has announced a pair of sports medicine staff promotions. Dr. Lisa Cummins has been elevated to Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, while Bonni Messner has been named Associate Athletic Trainer.
 
“We have the best sports medicine staff in the country, and we are delighted to elevate both Lisa and Bonni into these new roles,” says Erlacher. “Both have incredible work ethic, are great teammates, are service orientated, and care tremendously about our student-athletes. Our department is extremely grateful for their leadership and commitment to our programs. We will continue to invest in our sports medicine office and remain laser-focused on providing our student-athletes the very best health and wellness coverage possible.”

Cummins enters her 22^nd year with Augusta University Athletics. She has headed the department since the retirement of former athletic trainer John “Doc” Sullivan in 2017. Cummins and her staff are responsible for the health and well-being of over 200 Augusta University student-athletes.

 

“I am excited to continue my affiliation with Augusta University and the Department of Athletics, and I look forward to growing in this new role,” said Cummins.

 

Prior to joining the Jaguars, Cummins was the senior athletic trainer for GR Health. Cummins attended Millersville University and played softball from 1985-86 before heading to Slippery Rock University, where she played lacrosse in spring 1990. She graduated with her undergraduate degree from Slippery Rock and received her master’s of education in exercise science. Cummins received her doctorate in athletic training from Moravian University in 2022. 

Messner is in her eighth year on the sports medicine staff. Her primary responsibilities are covering volleyball and women’s basketball and assisting in the care of all 13 NCAA sports and their athletes.\

“I’m excited to accept the position of Associate Athletic Trainer with Augusta University Athletics,” said Messner. “I look forward to continuing my work as part of the sports medicine team to help our student-athletes remain healthy and achieve their goals. “

 

Before joining the Jaguars, Messner was a staff athletic trainer at GR Health Sports Medicine, providing coverage as the athletic trainer for local high schools from 2005 to 2016.   Prior to her time in Augusta, she was the athletic trainer at Truett McConnell College and White County High School in Cleveland, Ga., from 2003-to 2005. Messner attended Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., from 1994-1998, where she played volleyball on the 1994 and 1995 teams and graduated in 1998 with a BS in Exercise Science/Athletic Training. She graduated from North Georgia College and State University with a Master of Education in 2003.

 

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