HBCU student thanks athletic trainer for saving life
As Winston-Salem State University prepares to celebrate its 2025 graduates, one HBCU student-athlete is reminding the world that some of the most important people in your college journey don't stand at the podium - they stand by your side when it matters most.
Nia James, a senior on the WSSU volleyball team, shared an emotional story of survival and gratitude directed at John Lavender, the university's longtime athletic trainer. In a touching social media post, she credited Lavender with saving her life following a near-fatal health scare in October 2022.
After tearing nearly every ligament in her knee during volleyball season, James was later diagnosed with blood clots in her leg. One night, she experienced hours of severe chest pain. Lavender urged her to go to the emergency room - and when doctors initially tried to send her home, he demanded a CT scan. That test revealed life-threatening blood clots in all five lobes of her lungs.
With her family hours away, Lavender stayed with her through the night.
"Without the persistence, care, and knowledge of John and the amazing @wssu_at staff, I would not be here preparing to walk the stage in 10 days," James wrote. "Your impact is greater than you know."
Lavender, a graduate of Elon University, has served Winston-Salem State since January 2013. In his role as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, he has become a trusted figure for generations of student-athletes, offering not just physical care, but personal support and advocacy.
"People always ask why I got into this profession. This is a perfect example of my why," Lavender wrote on X. "We have an amazing AT staff at WSSU. I tell all our recruits/parents when their child comes to WSSU they become my child. I love my kids. I love my job." ?
James' story is a powerful example of the close-knit, life-changing community found at her HBCU and so many others.
The post HBCU student thanks athletic trainer for saving life appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Draymond Green disagrees with LeBron James' idea for NBA schedule change
Draymond Green disagrees with LeBron James' idea for NBA schedule change Each NBA season is long and arduous, and it tests every single player in the league from day one until the moment each team is done for the year. Many people have suggested that the league shorten its schedule from 82 games for each team to roughly 60 in order to reduce fatigue and injuries, as well as possibly increase the quality of play. Such proposals will likely never see the light of day, mostly because it would mean reduced revenue and pay for everyone involved, from superstar players down to those who live paycheck to paycheck. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently made an interesting suggestion on his "Mind the Game" podcast. He said that perhaps the NBA should give its players several weeks off between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. "If they're going to allow it to be as physical as it is, you've got to give us a little time to prepare for it," James said. "Maybe 12 to 15 games left in the regular season. Like a month. Give us a month to prepare for it. Because it goes from zero to 100." Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, a friend and rival of his, pushed back on that suggestion. Green feels such a break would do more harm than good. 'I know Bron talked about there being a month off before the playoffs; I don't know that that's possible,' Green said. 'A, guys will get a bit out of shape and can have an adverse effect, guys getting back in, and all of a sudden, you pull something because it's been a month." The NBA has already made some adjustments in recent years in order to make its schedule a little easier. It has cut down on the number of back-to-back games, and it has given teams several days off surrounding the All-Star game in order to make it, in effect, a mini-vacation, especially for those who don't participate in it. But what James suggested is extremely unlikely to ever take place. The league would either need to compress its regular season schedule, shorten the offseason or reduce the number of regular-season games, and the downsides would probably greatly outweigh the benefits.
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Forbes
Fisk To Discontinue Nation's First HBCU Gymnastics Program In 2026
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 06: Fisk University gymnasts cheer on their teammate during a meet at the ... More Orleans Arena on January 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) In 2023, Fisk University made history as the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to sponsor women's gymnastics. However, the university announced Friday that the historic program will be discontinued. In an email delivered to the student body, university officials shared their decision to discontinue the gymnastics program at the close of the 2025-2026 gymnastics season. The university cited scheduling issues and recruitment disadvantages as factors influencing the decision. Though Fisk and Wilberforce University presently sponsor women's gymnastics, the sport is not sanctioned within the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC). The decision to cut Fisk's program also comes after significant personnel changes. In May, star gymnast Morgan Price announced her intent to transfer from Fisk for her final season of eligibility, instead signing with the Arkansas Razorbacks of the powerhouse Southeastern Athletic Conference. Price led Fisk gymnastics since its founding, claiming back-to-back national championships and delivering the first perfect ten in HBCU gymnastics history. Price's departure was one of two to shake the historic HBCU team in 2025. One month into the team's season, Head Coach Corrinnne Tarver resigned. Tarver had been at the helm since the program's founding in 2022. Despite the notable departures, Friday's news shocked many athletes, alumni, and fans. The 2025 season was a historic one for the Bulldogs. In addition to Price's five national titles, the team set a program record and notched seven All-America honors. CORVALLIS, OREGON - MARCH 21: Morgan Price of the Fisk Bulldogs competes on the floor exercise ... More during a gymnastics meet against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on March 21, 2025 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by) In response to the news, recent Fisk graduate Naimah Muhammad took to Instagram to express disappointment for her teammates and program. Muhammad particularly disagreed with the university's reasoning. While the gymnast felt that she could accept financial rationale, the claim surrounding sanctioning struck a nerve—and rightly so. 'The reason gymnastics is not an HBCU-sanctioned sport…is (because) there's never been HBCU gymnastics before Fisk,' Muhammad said. 'HBCU Gymnastics started because of Fisk," she added. When Fisk jumped at the opportunity to make history in 2022, many hoped that multiple HBCU programs would follow suit. Unfortunately, the period following the historic announcement has been tumultuous. In 2024, Talladega College joined Fisk as the second HBCU to sponsor a women's gymnastics team. However, months later, the program was cut due to budget issues. Wilberforce University joined Fisk this past NCAA season as one of two active programs. Sadly, at the close of the 2026 season, Wilberforce may be the only program standing. Fans hope Wilberorce's program outlasts its predecessors, and the university encourages them to support the Fisk athletes in their final season. Despite the recent news, Muhammad attests that the fervor for HBCU gymnastics remains strong. 'Y'all don't know how many [direct messages] I get every single day – from parents, alumni, and gymnasts,' she said. They all ask – "How do I get my daughter to go to Fisk Gymnastics?'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
HBCU administrator responds to sexual assault allegations
The post HBCU administrator responds to sexual assault allegations appeared first on ClutchPoints. Texas Southern Athletic Director Kevin Granger is denying all allegations of sexual assault after a lawsuit was filed by Tony Buzbee's law firm. Granger has been placed on leave as the university continues to investigate the incident. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Texas Southern staff member who alleges that Granger groped her vagina and breast and used vulgar language towards her while she was in his office. Granger is being represented by Attorney Letitia Quinones-Hollins, who released a statement saying that the claims against Granger are untrue. 'These are serious allegations, and they deserve a serious response, which we will make at the appropriate time and in court,' Quinones-Hollins wrote. 'In the meantime, I can tell you that no sexual assault occurred, and any indication that it did is false. Dr. Granger is an incredibly well-respected part of the TSU community, and his work there, over many years, has created opportunities for the school and its students that did not exist before.' According to the lawsuit, Granger solicited a staff member for sex when she was in his office, claiming that doing so would 'help her career.' According to the lawsuit, Granger began by improperly feeling the victim down in inappropriate places and inquiring whether she was wearing a wire or filming him. For thirty-two years, Granger has been associated with Texas Southern first as a standout basketball player and then as an athletic administrator. In 2019, he was promoted to the position of athletic director. Granger has not commented on the allegations. On June 3, however, the university issued a press release claiming that it is aware of the accusations and is looking into them. 'Texas Southern University became aware of the allegations involving a senior member of the leadership team following the filing of civil litigation,' said the statement from Communications Manager Kerrigan Williams. 'The University takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, as the safety of our students, student-athletes, and employees is our top priority. As a standard practice, the University does not comment on pending litigation.' On the other hand, Buzbee's sexual misconduct cases against prominent Black men, such as former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and rap moguls Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs, have made him a more contentious figure. Also, on June 3, his office released a statement claiming that Granger used inappropriate language with the victim, who has not been named. 'The Buzbee Law Firm filed suit today in Harris County State Court on behalf of [the alleged victim] against Kevin Granger, Athletic Director for TSU. The case alleges that on April 30, 2025, Athletic Director Granger invited [the alleged victim] to his office. While there, Granger repeatedly asked [the alleged victim] if she was 'recording him' or 'wearing a wire' while he proceeded to inappropriately pat her down. The statement continued, 'The lawsuit further alleges that Granger continued to question [the alleged victim] about her relationship history and if she had ever been romantically involved with a colleague. According to the suit, Granger's questions became increasingly vulgar and graphic. As set forth in the lawsuit, Granger ultimately propositioned [the alleged victim] seeking sex while at the same time groping her breasts and vagina and manipulating her hand onto his erect penis. According to the facts set forth in detail in the suit, Granger told [the alleged victim] if she would comply with his requests, he could 'help her career.' 'The lawsuit further details that [the alleged victim] bravely resisted Granger's advances and was ultimately able to extricate herself from Granger's office. 'Reports have been made with the Houston Police Department, the EEOC, and the Human Resources department at TSU.' Related: Fisk University gymnastics program set to end next year Related: Kenny Latimore & Chanté Moore's son graduates from an HBCU
