Phil Kemmerer - Director, Sports Medicine (Volleyball, Women’s Tennis) - Women's Volleyball Support Staff

Phil Kemmerer

Title:
Director, Sports Medicine (Volleyball, Women’s Tennis)
Email:
pkmmerer@memphis.edu

Phillip (Phil) Kemmerer, MS, LAT, ATC, a native of Newark, Delaware, is entering his eighth year with the University of Memphis Sports Medicine Department and was elevated to Director, Sports Medicine, Olympic Sports in October 2024. In this role, Kemmerer provides leadership and oversight for Olympic sports athletic training operations while continuing to serve as the Head Athletic Trainer for Memphis Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Tennis.

As Director, Sports Medicine, Olympic Sports, Kemmerer oversees and supervises Olympic sports athletic trainers, leads staff meetings and facilitates departmental policy development and review. He leads the recruiting, hiring and onboarding of Olympic sports athletic trainers, ensuring appropriate staffing, mentorship and professional development across assigned programs. He reviews injury reporting and documentation across Olympic sports to ensure consistency, accuracy and best-practice standards of care and is responsible for the ordering, procurement and inventory management of Gatorade product for sports medicine operations.

Kemmerer coordinates and schedules physician and EMS coverage for athletic events, working closely with medical providers and department leadership to ensure comprehensive emergency preparedness and on-site care. He assists the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine with a variety of administrative and operational responsibilities supporting the continued growth and efficiency of the department.

In addition to his administrative leadership, Kemmerer continues to lead the P.A.W.S. (Performance and Wellness Support) Program, an interdisciplinary initiative he helped create to enhance collaboration and communication among sports medicine, athletic performance, nutrition, mental health and athletic academic staff for post-surgical student-athletes. In this role, he tracks all Olympic sports post-surgical cases and works closely with the lead physical therapist to monitor athlete return-to-play progressions, while contributing to the development and facilitation of return-to-play protocols. He remains actively involved in guiding return-to-play progressions and facilitating multidisciplinary decision-making through the program.

Prior to his current role, Kemmerer served as Senior Athletic Trainer (Volleyball/Women’s Tennis) and Rehabilitation Specialist, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Interim Athletic Trainer for Baseball, Athletic Trainer Fellow and Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer with Memphis Football. His experience spans football, baseball, volleyball, women’s tennis and Olympic sports, with a strong emphasis on post-surgical rehabilitation, injury monitoring and return-to-play management.

Beyond campus, Kemmerer has served as Medical Director for the NCAA Basketball Academy, overseeing medical operations for more than 1,000 elite athletes, and currently works as a UFL Medical Spotter. He also serves as a Gatorade Performance Camp Manager and Sports Medicine Liaison for Memphis Athletics Camp LLCs, overseeing medical staffing, emergency preparedness and sports medicine coordination for camps hosted by Memphis Athletics.

Kemmerer earned his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Delaware (2018) and his Master of Science in Sport and Hospitality Management from the University of Memphis (2020). He holds multiple advanced certifications, including Sports Manual Therapy, Integrated Dry Needling, IV Therapy and Mental Health First Aid.

In his free time, Kemmerer enjoys spending time with family through road trips, as well as kayaking, boating and attending country music concerts. He takes great pride in his Greek heritage and is an active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Parish in Memphis.