In many games, the Football Vipers and their coaches are highlighted on the field, but we sometimes forget an important part of the team — the athletic trainers. One of those is Sports Medicine teacher, HOSA adviser, and athletic trainer, Mr. Zachary Martindale.
This year marks Martindale’s fourth year as an athletic trainer at Verrado High. He officially earned his license in athletic training in February 2018. His role goes beyond treating physical injuries.
“It’s my job to not only help with the physical part of the body, but also the mental growth of our athletes,” Martindale said. “There’s a psychological aspect to injuries. It’s important to me to help them in that aspect because mental health can take a toll on these athletes, and that’s something a lot of people don’t recognize.”
Martindale said he has loved every part of his work. But in 2020, when COVID-19 spread across the U.S., his career faced a roadblock. “I worked as an athletic trainer for two years, and once 2020 hit, everything changed for me at the PT clinic I was working at,” he said.
After the pandemic, Martindale began teaching sports medicine at another district before joining Verrado. “What inspired me to come here to Verrado High was the culture and community that Verrado had,” Martindale said.“Verrado is known for being a very small community, but here it feels like a city rather than a small town.”
Several student athletic trainers say they look up to him.
Eli Wasson, Class of 2026, recalled a memory from his first year as a trainer. “I was on my way to In-N-Out after an away game with my best friend, Luke, an AT intern we had last year, Devin, and me,” Wasson said. “We spent that whole time goofing off and having a great time afterwards.” He said that moment is one of his favorite memories in both sports medicine and high school.
Luke Serino, Class of 2026, has been a trainer for two years. “I definitely have a goal of working in the medical field,” Serino said. “Seeing how Martindale works through challenges helps me feel more confident when I face similar situations, because I’ve been able to witness firsthand the experiences that come up in medical environments.”
Another student trainer, Ayanna Gayles, Class of 2027, said she admires Martindale’s past work in the district. “Some of the schools he worked at were our neighbors, Desert Edge High School,” Gayles said. “I also worked over at Desert Edge for a couple of years, and whenever I got the chance to come over to Verrado, I would enjoy those moments because it felt atmospheric here. The close family and friends who cheer on their kid or best friends are something that also inspired me to come here.”
With testimonies like these, it’s clear Martindale is respected by students and athletes alike. So if you see him on the sidelines at practice or during a game, take a moment to thank him for all he does.