Harrogate, Tenn. — Lincoln Memorial University Athletics is taking a major step forward in its commitment to the health, performance and overall well-being of its student-athletes by bringing together Athletic Training, Strength & Conditioning and Mental Health Counseling under one collaborative umbrella: LMU Athletics Performance.
The initiative is designed to create a more connected, comprehensive approach to student-athlete care. By working as one team, Athletic Trainers, Strength & Conditioning Coaches and Mental Health professionals will communicate more consistently, support one another and collaborate closely on the goals, expectations and overall well-being of each student-athlete.
"We are in this for our student-athletes," said Don Grigsby, LMU Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance & Wellness. "Bringing these areas together under one umbrella just makes sense. We have several new faces joining our staff, and we want to create an environment where everyone feels supported and communication is constant. When you have the health, performance and well-being of our student-athletes in your hands, communication has to be one of our highest priorities."
As part of LMU Athletics Performance, the group will meet regularly to evaluate trends and identify opportunities to better support student-athletes throughout the academic and competitive year. Meetings will include discussions surrounding seasonal injury trends, rehabilitation and return-to-play, strength and conditioning needs, mental health concerns and the unique pressures student-athletes experience.
Different times of the year can bring different challenges. Certain sports may experience increased rates of specific injuries during their competitive seasons, while student-athletes may also experience increased stress, anxiety, pressure, fatigue or other mental health challenges related to academics, competition, injury, performance expectations and balancing the demands of college athletics.
By bringing these professionals together more frequently, the goal is to recognize those trends earlier and develop a coordinated plan to address them.
The initiative will also create additional opportunities for professional development. LMU Athletics Performance will introduce monthly "Lunch & Learns," bringing Athletic Training, Strength & Conditioning and Mental Health staff together to learn, discuss and stay current on emerging trends and best practices in sports medicine, athletic performance, injury prevention, rehabilitation and student-athlete mental health.
These educational opportunities will allow staff members to learn from one another while continuing to develop a unified approach to student-athlete care.
"Our goal is ultimately very simple — we want this initiative to benefit our student-athletes and LMU Athletics as a whole," Grigsby said. "The more our people communicate, collaborate and understand what each area is seeing, the better equipped we are to support our student-athletes. This is about building one team, one mission and making sure every student-athlete has the resources and support they need to be successful."
Through LMU Athletics Performance, the university is continuing to build a culture in which health, performance and mental well-being are interconnected, rather than treated as separate components of the student-athlete experience.
The initiative reinforces LMU Athletics' commitment to providing student-athletes with a comprehensive support system while strengthening collaboration among the professionals entrusted with their care.
LMU Athletics Performance
One Team. One Mission. Every Student-Athlete.
