University of St. Thomas (Houston)

Leslie Bennett serves as the Director of Sports Medicine and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of St. Thomas and is an Outreach Athletic Trainer with Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine. She joined UST as Head Athletic Trainer in 2016 during the university's NAIA era and was promoted to Director of Sports Medicine in 2020, where she played a key role in the department's successful transition to NCAA Division III. 

Throughout her tenure, Bennett has provided athletic training coverage for every varsity sport and currently oversees the care of the volleyball, swimming, softball, and golf programs. She leads the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of student-athletes while coordinating interdisciplinary care between the university and Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine. She also serves as a clinical preceptor for the University of Houston Master of Athletic Training Program and teaches CPR and First Aid courses on campus. Under her leadership, the UST Sports Medicine staff was recognized as the SCAC Athletic Training Staff of the Year in 2023 and 2026. 

Bennett earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Texas State University in 2009 and began her career with Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine as an Outreach Athletic Trainer. She later served as Head Athletic Trainer at Fort Bend Christian Academy, where she developed the school's Sports Medicine Department by implementing policies and emergency procedures, designing a new athletic training facility, leading concussion education for coaches, and establishing a student athletic training program. In partnership with Memorial Hermann, she also served as the athletic training liaison for the Fort Bend Youth Football League, Eclipse Soccer Club, and Fort Bend Fit Running Group, while supporting community education initiatives and major endurance events, including the IRONMAN Triathlon, USA Fit Marathon, and Andy's Triathlon. 

Bennett is a nationally certified and Texas-licensed athletic trainer. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers' Society, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Originally from Sugar Land, Texas, she now resides in Houston.