DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University announced two changes within its sports medicine department on Tuesday. Maria Ochoa has been promoted to head athletic trainer to replace Thomas Underwood, who has taken a faculty position at Averett. Underwood will also serve as sports medicine and operations administrator for the Department of Athletics in addition to his teaching role.

"We are proud to promote Maria Ochoa to head athletic trainer," said Meg Stevens, vice president, director of athletics and campus operations. "Part of our mission is to professionally develop our own staff, and Maria is ready for this next step in her career. She is an Averett alumna who has been a part of our sports medicine team as a student and as an assistant athletic trainer."
 
Ochoa joined the Averett sports medicine staff as an athletic training assistant in September 2019. A May 2019 graduate of Averett with a degree in athletic training, Ochoa worked from 2015-17 as a student-assistant to the director of athletic training at Averett while also serving as a student trainer with several programs and gaining clinical experience. In 2017, Ochoa received the Averett Athletic Training Service Award. She was the president of Averett's Athletic Training Club from Fall 2017 until her graduation. She's a member of NATA and VATA. A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, Ochoa completed her master of education degree from Averett in May 2021.
 
"First and foremost, I want to thank Meg Stevens and Thomas Underwood for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity," Ochoa said. "I am excited to continue to help our student-athletes and provide a positive environment for their sports medicine needs."
 
Ochoa's new role will be effective July 1.
 
"As I move into a new position I can think of a handful of people that I would like to replace me and Maria is at the top of that list," Underwood said. "I know she will do great and continue to make the sports medicine department here at Averett one of the best and provide the best care for the student-athletes."
 
Underwood began his time with Averett's sports medicine team as assistant athletic trainer in September 2011. He was named Averett's director of sports medicine/head athletic trainer in July 2014 and recently had been promoted to assistant director of athletics/director of sports medicine in May.
 
"I have loved every aspect of being the director of sports medicine and I thank Meg for giving me the opportunity many years ago," Underwood said. "I will miss being on the sidelines and sharing all the highs and lows that come with sports with our coaches and student-athletes. However, I am excited for this new opportunity and on being able to still be involved with student-athletes and help within the athletic department in a new role."

Underwood, a 2008 graduate of Averett, was named Averett's 2020 Staff Member of the Year for his crucial role to the success, safety and welfare of Averett's student-athletes, as well as his diligent work to ensure the health and safety of Averett's faculty, staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2017, Underwood was awarded with the Excellence in Teaching Award from Averett's chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success for his commitment to grow the university's students.

"We appreciate all that Thomas has done for our department and our student-athletes for more than a decade," Stevens said. "He has done a phenomenal job training and educating his assistants like Maria, which makes this transition seamless. Meanwhile, we are excited that Thomas will still be a part of our Averett family in his new role."