Paul DeMartinis
A loyal and trusted friend of PBATS

About Paul DeMartinis

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.

About the Scholarship

PBATS has received numerous donations and would like to announce the 8th annual Paul DeMartinis Scholarship. The scholarship is meant to honor Paul, his family and his life’s work. In its 8th year, 2023, one scholarship will be awarded in the amount $2,000. The winners will be selected by lottery at the PBATS Winter Meetings in December of 2023. All scholarship payments will only be made by the PBATS Treasurer directly to a college or university offering an Accredited Athletic Training Program.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Students enrolled in a Professional Program, Post-Professional Degree Program, or Post-Professional Residency Program, or their equivalent, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training are eligible to apply. All applicants will be treated the same regardless of their gender, race, religion, national origin or sexual orientation. All applicants must be able to speak and write in English. Members of PBATS and their immediate families are ineligible for the scholarships.

Deadlines

APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW CLOSED