Simms named Southern's new Head Athletic Trainer

ASHANTE SIMMS

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Southern University is proud to announce the hiring of Ashante Simms as its new head athletic trainer.

"We are excited to welcome Ms. Simms aboard," said athletics director Dr. William Broussard.  "She has seen both big-time (LSU) and small college athletics (Dillard) experience and her time running and establishing a sports medicine unit in addition to serving as a certified athletic trainer uniquely qualifies her."

"She is inheriting a capable staff in this department and I'm confident in her ability to lead them."

Simms, a New Orleans native and LSU graduate, joins the staff after spending five years as the head athletics trainer at Dillard University in New Orleans.

"I think the (sports medicine) program at Southern University could use an upgrade in infrastructure," said Simms. We already have two great athletic trainers in place, what we really need is some one to manage the program."

At Southern, Simms is charged with overseeing the care of over 300 student-athletes and arranging appointments with team physician and any necessary surgical needs.

"My most important goal is to make sure that (the student-athletes) have healthy lives beyond their sport," said Simms. "My concern is not just for them within this four-year time period. Its to make sure they can play with their families and have healthy lives beyond their college careers."

At Dillard, Simms oversaw the medical and physical therapy needs of three men's and four women's athletic programs and was instrumental in rebuilding the Bleu Devils' Sports medicine program.

Simms received a bachelor's of science degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in athletic training from LSU in May 2007. Afterward, Simms began work with Oschner Clinic of New Orleans in June 2007, where she was assigned to serve as the head athletic trainer at Dillard University.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS