Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Adriana Williams selected to serve as an athletic trainer at the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
- Selection came after Opio Mashariki encouraged Williams to apply and she completed the application.
- Williams brings experience from internships with Gainesville High School, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and the Atlanta Falcons.
- She values professional relationships with athletes, coaches, and administration at Savannah State and St. Joseph's/Candler.
- Williams aims to learn from seasoned trainers at the event and eventually become a head athletic trainer.
SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University Assistant Athletic Trainer Adriana Williams has been selected to work as one of the athletic trainers at the Panini Senior Bowl. The game will be held January 31, 2026 in Mobile, Alabama at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The Panini Senior Bowl is a college football all-star game and the official first step in the NFL Draft process. For more than 76 years, Mobile, Alabama has proudly hosted this historic event, making it the longest continually running all-star game in football.
Williams said that she is excited to be selected to be a member of the support staff for the Panini Bowl. I think this will be a great opportunity to gain more experience in the field as well as being able to meet and network with people who will also be working this game from various different levels.
She added that in addition to being excited, she is also a little nervous as the date draws closer. I think it is exciting to be selected for this opportunity, but I also get a little nervous going into a new situation where I will be representing St. Joseph’s/Candler and Savannah State University at an event of this size.
When asked how did she get to be selected as one of the Athletic Trainers for this game she stated that Savannah State Athletics Director Opio Mashariki told her about this opportunity and he wanted her to apply for it. She filled out the application and was selected.
Williams has been in Savannah a little over a year, working with SSU through St. Joseph’s/Candler.
I was moving to Savannah and looking for job opportunities in the area that would keep me in the university setting. At the time the job listed noted that St. Joseph’s/Candler provided care for high schools, universities, and urgent cares. I was hopeful when I applied that there would be an opening at a university and I was lucky that there was a position at SSU open. University positions can be hard to find so I am grateful that this position was open.”
She adds that she enjoys her job and working with the Tiger student-athletes.
The best things about working with St Joseph’s/Candler and SSU is the professional relationships I have been able to form with athletes, coaches, and administration. Being able to work with these athletes and make even a small positive difference in their university experience and athletic experience has been one of many highlights of working here.”
A volleyball player while in high school, Williams said that she became interested in the Sports Medicine field as a teenager.
My high school had a sports medicine class where our Athletic Trainer was the teacher. I have always been interested in healthcare and this field allows for a fast pace environment and the ability to work with the athletic population.
Following high school, Williams attended the University of North Georgia where she earned a undergraduate degree in kinesiology and sports medicine in 2022 and a graduate degree in athletic training in 2024.
Since leaving college, she has done internships on the high school, college and professional levels at place like Gainesville High School, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Falcons. Williams said that those experiences has helped her while working at Savannah State.
I think overall one thing that stayed the same across all the levels I worked before getting here was the level of care. Each Athletic Trainer I worked with always provided the best care possible with varying levels of resources. So, coming into Savannah State I knew that’s how I wanted to be. I wanted to provide the best care I could regardless of the level of sport and the resources available.”
When asked what experience will she take away from working in the Panani Bowl, Williams said that “I think I will be able to meet several other Athletic Trainers who will be the Head Athletic Trainers for the two teams at this event who have a lot of experience in the field and working this event. I think it will be a lot of hard work, but that is what makes it fun and provides the opportunity to learn.”
Although she is still an Assistant Athletic Trainer,Williams said that one day she hopes to become head athletic trainer of her own program.
“Yes, one day I would like to be a Head Athletic Trainer, but there are several other milestones I would like to reach before getting there.”
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