USC Announces Appointing Sarah Lyons as New Senior Director of Athletic Medicine Operations
The University of Southern California (USC) has officially announced the arrival of Sarah Lyons as the Senior Director of Athletic Medicine Operations and Head Athletic Trainer, effective August 24, 2026. This appointment marks a significant transition as she joins the leadership team of USC's Athletic Medicine program, working alongside experts such as Dr. Seth Gamradt, who is the Program Director. Together with faculty from the Keck School of Medicine and local health providers, Lyons is set to enhance the medical services available to student-athletes at USC.
Notably, Lyons will commence her role during the transition period of her predecessor, Russ Romano, who will retire shortly after September 1, ensuring a seamless transition that exemplifies the dedication of USC's medical staff. Both health professionals have committed themselves to fostering continuity in care as the new academic year approaches and with fall sports on the horizon.
Sarah Lyons brings over two decades of invaluable experience in collegiate athletic training and sports medicine, known for her collaborative leadership approach and steadfast devotion to the health, safety, and performance of student-athletes. Throughout her remarkable career, she has built robust partnerships within athletics while prioritizing the mentoring of fellow athletic trainers and creating environments that allow student-athletes to thrive.
Before transitioning to USC, Lyons played a pivotal role at Stanford University, where she served as the Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Training. In this capacity, she provided strategic oversight for one of the most esteemed collegiate athletic training programs in the nation. At Stanford, Lyons managed athletic training operations for over 900 student-athletes competing across 36 varsity sports, coordinated a multidisciplinary sports medicine team, and collaborated closely with coaches, physicians, and university partners to bolster student-athlete health.
Even while holding a leading role, Lyons consistently provided hands-on athletic training support for various teams, including football, women's tennis, women's gymnastics, and men's rowing. Her professional journey at Stanford began in 2013 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer; through hard work and leadership, she steadily advanced to the position of Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Training, showcasing her commitment to excellence in collegiate sports.
Prior to her contributions at Stanford, Lyons spent over ten years at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she initially launched her collegiate athletic training career after acquiring her Master’s degree in kinesiology. She also played a key role in providing athletic training services for professional teams, giving her a rich background that spans collegiate, professional, and occupational sports medicine environments.
Moreover, Lyons remains an active contributor to the athletic training community, having held leadership roles in the California Athletic Trainers' Association and the Far West Athletic Trainers' Association. Her involvement extends to various health initiatives aimed at enhancing student-athlete welfare and safety. Notably, she has volunteered her expertise in prestigious events like AIDS/LifeCycle and the Helen's Cycles Century Ride, which further underscores her commitment to both service and the advancement of her profession beyond the confines of collegiate sports.
Lyons’ appointment symbolizes USC Student Health’s unwavering pledge to deliver exceptional care to its student-athletes, assuring that they have access to the expertise and support necessary for their overall well-being and athletic success. As she steps into her new role in the Trojan Family, there is great optimism about the future of USC's Athletic Medicine program under her leadership.
Notably, Lyons will commence her role during the transition period of her predecessor, Russ Romano, who will retire shortly after September 1, ensuring a seamless transition that exemplifies the dedication of USC's medical staff. Both health professionals have committed themselves to fostering continuity in care as the new academic year approaches and with fall sports on the horizon.
Sarah Lyons brings over two decades of invaluable experience in collegiate athletic training and sports medicine, known for her collaborative leadership approach and steadfast devotion to the health, safety, and performance of student-athletes. Throughout her remarkable career, she has built robust partnerships within athletics while prioritizing the mentoring of fellow athletic trainers and creating environments that allow student-athletes to thrive.
Before transitioning to USC, Lyons played a pivotal role at Stanford University, where she served as the Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Training. In this capacity, she provided strategic oversight for one of the most esteemed collegiate athletic training programs in the nation. At Stanford, Lyons managed athletic training operations for over 900 student-athletes competing across 36 varsity sports, coordinated a multidisciplinary sports medicine team, and collaborated closely with coaches, physicians, and university partners to bolster student-athlete health.
Even while holding a leading role, Lyons consistently provided hands-on athletic training support for various teams, including football, women's tennis, women's gymnastics, and men's rowing. Her professional journey at Stanford began in 2013 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer; through hard work and leadership, she steadily advanced to the position of Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Training, showcasing her commitment to excellence in collegiate sports.
Prior to her contributions at Stanford, Lyons spent over ten years at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she initially launched her collegiate athletic training career after acquiring her Master’s degree in kinesiology. She also played a key role in providing athletic training services for professional teams, giving her a rich background that spans collegiate, professional, and occupational sports medicine environments.
Moreover, Lyons remains an active contributor to the athletic training community, having held leadership roles in the California Athletic Trainers' Association and the Far West Athletic Trainers' Association. Her involvement extends to various health initiatives aimed at enhancing student-athlete welfare and safety. Notably, she has volunteered her expertise in prestigious events like AIDS/LifeCycle and the Helen's Cycles Century Ride, which further underscores her commitment to both service and the advancement of her profession beyond the confines of collegiate sports.
Lyons’ appointment symbolizes USC Student Health’s unwavering pledge to deliver exceptional care to its student-athletes, assuring that they have access to the expertise and support necessary for their overall well-being and athletic success. As she steps into her new role in the Trojan Family, there is great optimism about the future of USC's Athletic Medicine program under her leadership.
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