Behind the walls of Howard University Athletic Department, there were a group of students who worked with dedication to help the lives of their fellow student athlete’s everyday. These students were future orthopedic surgeons, doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapist, financial analysts, and so many other future occupations. Even though they had different goals and futures, they all shared something in common. That was their love and passion for the realm of Sports Medicine.

These student work alongside Howard’s very own certified Athletic Training Staff to help rehabilitate athletes and assist in the athletics department. Known as Student Aids, this group of students worked diligent to help create an environment that was open for other students who also shared a passion for sports medicine. Led by Zoë Wood and Gabriella Anyia, these students worked closely with all of the sports offered within the athletic department, being of assistance to each and every person they were able to encounter. One day, it occurred to the Student Aids that there was a need to expand this opportunity of knowledge and experience to their fellow student body. With that thought in mind, they sat down to create an organization that would be based on service, scholarship, and engagement for everyone within the campus. 

On Tuesday, March 15th, 2022, in the Bethea Training Room of Burr gymnasium of Howard University, the Student Aid’s came together to create the Howard University Sports Medicine Society. Founded by Jada Sweeting and Hailey Bryant, and charted by Zoë Wood, Gabriella Anyia, Aravian Thomas, Paris Neal, Da’Mya Moore, and Sydney Sharpe, the Howard University Sports Medicine Society was born as a hope to open the doors of Howard Athletics to many students whose hearts are in the Sports Medicine world. Through service, scholarship, and engagement, the Howard University Sports Medicine Society (HUSMS) will serve as a place of growth, encouragement, and welcome for a diversity of students who are interested in the field and want to have an opportunity to experience the field hands-on. These students will not only engage in hands-on experiences, but they will also serve as pillars of service within their community and will have opportunities to grow into their passion and in themselves. Something that started off as a dream will now serve as a catalyst for change within Howard’s Athletic Department and Howard University’s Campus.