RICHARDSON – The Texas A&M University-Commerce sports medicine staff has been recognized as Lone Star Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year for football-playing schools in 2019-20.
 
This is the 16th annual Athletic Training Staff of the Year award in the LSC, as selected by a vote of athletic trainers throughout the league. This is the first time Lion Sports Medicine has won the award. Dallas Baptist was recognized as the top staff at non-football schools.
 
In 2019-20, Lion Sports Medicine was led by Dustan Thrift, the associate director of athletics for sports medicine, with assistance from Felicia Benavides, Tracy Lott, and Chase Stoltenberg and graduate assistants Jonathan Bramblett and DaVionne Walker.
 
"Our sports medicine team - including our team doctors - is undeniably deserving of this award," said A&M-Commerce director of athletics Tim McMurray. "The care they provide for our Best In Class student-athletes is a point of pride for us.  Hearty congratulations to this group!"a

The LSC Athletic Training Staff of the Year awards are presented annually to the top institutions as voted by the head athletic trainer of each member school.  2019-20 marks the first year where one award will be given to a football playing institution and the other award will be given to a non-football playing member.
 
The purpose of the award is to raise awareness of the athletic training profession. Criteria for the award include the athletic training staff's hospitality toward visiting athletic trainers and teams; preparedness with supplies, equipment and services for visiting athletic trainers and teams; preparedness for emergency situations; and care for injured athletes from visiting teams.
 
Lone Star Conference Athletic Training Staff of the Year

2019-20	A&M-Commerce (football), DBU (non-football)
2018-19	Angelo State
2017-18	Texas Woman's
2016-17	Angelo State
2015-16	Midwestern State
2014-15	Texas Woman's
2013-14	Angelo State
2012-13	Tarleton State
2011-12	Midwestern State
2010-11	Eastern New Mexico
2009-10	Midwestern State
2008-09	Eastern New Mexico and Southwestern Oklahoma
2007-08	Midwestern State, Southeastern Oklahoma and Northeastern State
2006-07	Abilene Christian and Southwestern Oklahoma
2005-06	Angelo State and Southeastern Oklahoma
2004-05	Angelo State and Southwestern Oklahoma