Dr. Jim Mensch is the athletic training program director at the University of South Carolina, where he has served for the past 23 years. Dr. Mensch has published over 75 peer reviewed research papers, authored a textbook on Psychosocial Issues in athletic training, received over 3 million dollars in research grants, including a Department of Defense grant that resulted in athletic trainers being hired across US Army training bases. 

Dr. Mensch has spoken internationally and nationally on integrating medical care into non-traditional settings such as the military, youth sports, and international settings. In 2009 he was awarded Young Alumni Achievement Award from Temple University and in 2013 was named the Outstanding Researcher by the College of Education. In the summer of 2017, he was recognized by the National Athletic Trainers Association and received the NATA Service Award. Last year he was awarded the 2023 World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy Education Impact Award for his international work in sports medicine and mentorship of students.