On September 4, 2015, the sports medicine community lost a pillar of the industry and a dear friend, Paul DeMartinis. Paul was the former Director of Sales and Marketing for Medco Sports Medicine. For everyone who knew Paul, it’s still hard to believe. That’s because Paul was a man you couldn’t help but love, even after just meeting him. There was just something about him that made you feel instantly at ease. He had a way with people, a way that left an impact on them. He also had characteristics, no longer common in today’s society, which made him successful in all aspects of life.

In fact, to Medco employees, customers and suppliers alike, Paul was “the man”. He was “Pauly D”. Ask any Medco employee and they’ll tell you, “Paul made our office feel like family.” He wanted success for the company and for the individual employees that were part of it. He led the company in its transformation from a small regional distributor located in Muncie, Indiana in 1998 to a national enterprise. He was a natural for the sports world. He just fit in, and the customers loved it, many saying how when Pauly visited it never felt like another vendor coming in to show products. It felt more like a member of the family coming by to say hello. He actually made it fun to order supplies.

No doubt about it, Paul was genuinely joyful, always laughing, singing and joking. And he genuinely cared. Denise Fandel, executive director of the Board of Certification, witnessed Paul’s compassion and commitment firsthand. “Pauly’s focus was always on what we were doing to protect the public. He always reminded us that we existed to make sure patients received the best possible care. Most importantly, he was a great role model, a highly ethical man of remarkable character, integrity and honesty.”

Rest assured, Paul’s legacy will live on in the Athletic Training Community. He will be missed greatly, but his spirit will be with us forever. Ask any customer. Because of his lightheartedness, warmth, and passion for excellence and integrity, Paul could walk into a training room and instantly connect In other words, exactly the way Pauly D. with the Athletic Training staff. His lightheartedness, warmth and passion for would have done it. Paul was a truly loyal and trusted friend of all PBATS members.