Tom Mendez joined UTRGV as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in the fall of 2017.
In his current role, Mendez works with the Baseball team and oversees the Student Athletic Training Education Internship Program.
Prior to joining UTRGV, Mendez gained his baseball experience in professional, Division 1, and elite high school levels.
During the 2016 baseball season, Mendez served as an Athletic Trainer in the Chicago Cubs organization, working with players in Mesa, Arizona and the Dominican Republic.
Prior to his time in professional baseball and while working toward his Master of Science in Athletic Training, Mendez served as a student trainer for the Florida International baseball team. Mendez received recognition as Student Athletic Trainer of the Month for his work on injury prevention programs with FIU’s baseball team.
Mendez graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology specializing in baseball strength program development. Mendez applied that knowledge working with Athletes United Sports Performance and Athletic Republic as a sports performance coach. Mendez also worked at Miami Sports Medicine as a physical therapy technician and rehab assistant specializing in return-to-play programs for collegiate and high school baseball players. Mendez also gained baseball rehabilitation experience at Pinecrest Physical Therapy in Miami, Florida.
From 2009 to 2016 Mendez also worked as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida caring for the high school’s football and baseball teams.
Mendez also volunteered with strength & conditioning at Florida International gaining additional experience in football and baseball strength programs.
Mendez's research interests include implementation of blood flow restriction in Tommy John's rehabilitation and UCL injury prevention strength programs, as well as elbow biomechanics in baseball pitchers using the Motus Sleeve. Mendez also assists the UTRGV Occupational Therapy Department in movement capture analysis of baseball pitchers to improve performance and reduce injuries.
Mendez is an NATA/BOC Certified Athletic Trainer with licensure in Texas and Florida. Mendez is an NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He also holds certifications in Graston Technique and Owens Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation. The American Heart Association has certified Mendez as a professional rescuer.
