The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Baseball
- Title:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer
Credentials: ATC, CSCS
Education: University of Florida-B.S. Applied Physiology & Kinesiology
Florida International University-M.S. Athletic Training
Tom Mendez joined Texas Athletics as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for Texas Baseball in 2020. Mendez came to the Longhorns after two years at UTRGV as the athletic trainer for baseball and volleyball.
While at UTRGV, Mendez worked with the Vaquero’s baseball program that had its winningest season since 1991, with a 34-21 record and won a share of the 2019 WAC Championship. He also served as the athletic trainer for the volleyball program that claimed the 2018 WAC regular season championship and the prior year advanced to the WAC Tournament final.
During the 2016 Major League Baseball season, Mendez served as an athletic trainer in the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs organization, working with players in Mesa, Ariz. and the Dominican Republic.
A 2013 graduate of the University of Florida, Mendez received 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. He 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.
He received a Master of Science in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from FIU in 2016. While at FIU, his area of focus was on integrating technologies in the prevention and rehabilitation of pitching injuries. His research interests include implementation of blood flow restriction in Tommy John rehabilitation and UCL injury prevention strength programs, as well as examining biomechanical factors which may predict and prevent injuries in pitchers.
Mendez is a NATA/BOC Certified Athletic Trainer with licensure in Texas and Florida as well as a NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He also holds certifications in Graston Technique, blood flow restriction rehabilitation, and dry needling.
