Monmouth University Athletics Department appointed Lewis Young as its new Director of Sports Medicine this July, following the retirement of the previous director, Simon Rosenblum. Athletes, coaches, and staff anticipate that Young’s leadership will significantly impact Monmouth’s Athletic Programs.
Jen Sansevero, Director of Athletics at Monmouth University, said, “Lewis brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time in Division I collegiate athletics, at the professional sports level, and in his most recent role, having served as the Director of Clinical Operations.
Those experiences allow him to take a more holistic approach when addressing the needs of our student-athletes and the Sports Medicine unit as a whole.” She explained how this is a critical position of leadership.
Sansevero believes that Young is the right choice for Monmouth. She said, “Lewis cares deeply about supporting our student-athletes, sports medicine staff, and overall Department. I am excited Lewis brings a fresh new perspective with a willingness to think creatively and utilize the resources Monmouth has to support our student-athletes in this modern era.”
Young moved from a small town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, to New Jersey to take on his new role. Before joining Monmouth Athletics, Young served as Director of Clinical Operations at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Cary Orthopedics & Spine Specialists. Before UNC, he served as an Athletic Trainer for Indiana University football, where he was also a part of the concussion research team.
Young earned his Master of Arts in Education from Virginia Tech in 2017, where he served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer and also completed concussion research. He received his bachelor’s from Roanoke University, where he was a member of the NCAA Division III Tennis team.
Following graduate school, Young was appointed as a seasonal athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Chargers from May 2017-2018. He is a Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT), Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), and Corrective Exercise Specialists (CES).
Looking towards the future of the athletics program, Sansevero said, “I see Lewis bringing a passion and enthusiasm that will only elevate the Sports Medicine team and the Athletic Department.”She added, “ The Sports Medicine unit is a significant component in the student-athlete experience, and having great leadership within the unit can really be a differentiator for us in this new landscape of college athletics. It enhances the transformative experience we strive to provide for our student-athletes by providing them with critical support and resources.”
Young explained how he wants to help further Sansevero’s mission in Athletics Department. He said, “ I want to create the best athletic training staff and sports medicine department in the country. If we’re not shooting for that goal, then what are we doing?”
He believes that athletes should feel welcomed. “I want all the athletes to feel like they can come in whenever they need you to seek out treatment or an evaluation. And I don’t want any athletes to feel like they can’t seek that out,” Young said.
Young has already made some changes within the department. He explained how he moved certain trainers to different sports teams based on their strengths.
Assistant Track and Field Coach Devin Barry, who has been at Monmouth for over 18 years, said, “I think the whole sports realm is happy that he is here, because he’s got some good ideas.” Barry believes that Young will help the program overall and develop a new standard.
Pavitra Parikh, a Sophomore on the Women’s Tennis team, explained that Young was extremely helpful when she needed assistance with her medical insurance. She said, “According to me and my team, the switch was a smooth transition; however, we wished we had been told beforehand, just so we were informed about the change.”
Sophomore Delany Nadeau of Women’s Golf explained how her team was also not aware that they were receiving a new trainer. They found out in mid-August when they were asked to update paperwork. Despite the short notice, Nadeau said, “He has already had very positive impacts on our team, helping girls through injuries, and getting them access to the treatment they need.
Senior on the Men’s Golf Team, Ethan Lee believes Young is an improvement over the previous director, Simon Rosenblum, who retired from Monmouth. He added, “I like that Lewis has different procedures for helping with what is needed. Simon just did one thing for my back, and it never really went away. But Lewis had a new way of helping my back.” Lee also addressed the noticeable differences in communication and strategy compared to the former Director, Rosenblum.
Sansevero said, “His desire for excellence, accountability, and team-oriented nature means that we will continue to find ways to elevate the services and support that we provide our student-athletes. I do not doubt his leadership will thoughtfully evaluate our practices and approaches to ensure we are continuously evolving for the better.”
