Brandon DeSantis - Associate A.D. of Integrated Health and Sports Performance - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Brandon DeSantis

Title:
Associate A.D. of Integrated Health and Sports Performance
Email:
Phone:
540-568-8028
Physical Address:
Godwin 128 (261 Bluestone Dr.) / MSC 2301

Brandon DeSantis was hired in April 2024 to lead the department's key health and wellness areas as associate AD for integrated health and sports performance. The role encapsulates the combined care areas of sports medicine, strength and conditioning, mental health, sport psychology and sports nutrition.

"This is a critical position for JMU Athletics to supervise all aspects of student-athlete wellness," then Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. "We invested significant time to ensure that we identified the right person for this role. I'm thrilled to welcome Brandon and his family to our JMU administrative team. His background lends itself to our need in this position, most importantly already experienced at blending a holistic approach to athlete care across all disciplines."

"I am extremely excited for this opportunity to join the James Madison family and lead the integrated health and sport performance unit. With my wife being a JMU alum, I have seen firsthand and understand the culture and expectations of the athletics department. I want to thank Mr. Bourne and the hiring committee for giving me this opportunity and I am excited to get to work by serving our student-athletes. My family is thrilled to make the move to Harrisonburg. Go Dukes!"

A proven leader in sports medicine and student-athlete care, DeSantis comes to JMU following nearly 10 years on the athletic training staff at Delaware. He was named associate AD and head football trainer in November of 2019. That position included close collaboration with the department's entire sport performance group, including strength and conditioning, performance nutrition, sport science, sports medicine, physical therapy, sport psychology and academics. His role also included management of the unit budget and oversight of four direct reports and facility operations. He also played a key role in guiding the department's response to the CoVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to his associate AD appointment, DeSantis was associate head athletic trainer and an assistant athletic trainer for the football squad for two years. He also spent three years as an assistant athletic trainer, serving football and filling the role as primary athletic trainer for both golf teams.

DeSantis was an assistant athletic trainer at UCLA for two years, serving the football and women's tennis teams. He was also a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Kentucky for two years and was assigned to women's gymnastics, dance and men's golf with additional coverage provided to football. He was a student intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 and was a athletic training student at the University of Pittsburgh 2008-2010.

Research publications for DeSantis include the International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training and the Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Science. He has been a presenter at multiple conferences and forums, including at Delaware, UCLA, Kentucky, Pittsburgh and the Colonial Athletic Association.

DeSantis is a 2010 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in athletic training. He earned his Master of Science in athletic training from Kentucky in 2012.

Brandon and Lisa (JMU '12) DeSantis have two daughters, Lena and Emilia.