From the Sidelines to the Finish Line: The Impact of Redwood’s Alex the Trainer

By: Isabella Valdez

Take a second and picture this.

You’re out there, on the court or on the field, giving it your all. But suddenly, you feel a sharp pain, and your heart sinks to your stomach. 

 It catches you off guard, and in that moment everything else fades away. The intensity of the game is replaced by the pain and you crumble to the floor surrounded by your coaches and teammates.

The Athletic Trainer steps in to assess your injury and will follow you through recovery. 

Redwood’s Athletic Trainer, Alex Ramos, joined the Ranger community 3 years ago. His impact on Redwood stands tall as he puts in countless hours of work to ensure that student athletes are treated and set on their road to recovery.

Ramos shares the background of his career choice. He says, “I was an athlete growing up. I originally wanted to work as a PT (Physical Therapist) but then found out what ATs (Athletic Trainer) do and thought it was a cool way to still work on rehabs/treatments but specifically for athletes.”

Ramos talks about how he got the position at Redwood and says “I ended up at Redwood because a friend sent me the job opening, I applied and thankfully got it. Another friend of mine who is the Athletic Trainer at Golden West was a help with me getting the job as well. She put in a good word for me.”

Since Ramos has been at Redwood, he says that he has loved to help the athletes be the best versions of themselves. He says, “My favorite part about the job is seeing my injured athletes come back to play the sport they love and then seeing them make a great play. It makes me happy to see that they’re back on the field doing what they love.”

Ramos also has held an impact on athletes on and off the field. He does everything in his ability to help them. Ramos says, “The kids make my job fun. It’s nice to know that they can not only come to me for their injuries, but their outside of sports issues as well. They make me feel like I’m making a difference, and I appreciate that a lot.”

Ramos has been at Redwood for a short period of time but expresses how much he loves the Ranger community. “My experience at Redwood has been nothing but good. Everyone was welcoming since day one. The kids included. I’m glad things worked out the way they did, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Ramos.

Kevin Scharton the Head Varsity Football Coach says, “I’ve known Alex since he started being a trainer here a few years back.”

Ramos became a part of the Redwood staff in the middle of the 2022 Football season. Ramos immediately stepped in and did everything to make sure the boys were 100%.

Scharton says  “Alex came in and did a great job with the football team because he helped prevent injuries by taking the right precautions. He helps keep our team healthy by giving them treatment and keeping them in one piece.”

Ramos not only makes sure that he relationship with the kids is good, but also the coaches. Scharton says “He created an amazing relationship with the boys and the coaching staff. Alex is a great person to work with. He communicates very well with me and the rest of our coaching staff, and as a head football coach he gives me one less thing I have to worry about when it comes to the kids.” 

Scharton shares how much of an impact Ramos has made in a short amount of time. He says, “He is very important. We have a lot of athletes here at Redwood and he goes above and beyond and takes care of all of them. When our kids get hurt, Alex does an amazing job getting them back on the field to play.” 

Stevie Jonhson is the Head Coach for Varsity Softball. Johnson also arrived at Redwood in 2022. Once the season started she then met Ramos.

Johnson shares how much she appreciates having Alex, and how much the Softball community enjoys having Ramos. She says “Alex has impacted the kids greatly. It is evident that Alex has built great relationships with our student-athletes and that the players respect him and his craft. They feel comfortable going to him for their sports related needs and he has impacted the kids in the program by getting them game-time ready through treatment.” 

When it comes to Redwood’s athletes needing Ramos, Johnson says “Alex helps outside of practice by working with our athletes in the Athletic Training room for any of them that need treatment. This is crucial to the success of our players, as they need to feel their best to play their best and Alex ensures that anything they need gets taken care of to the best of his ability.” 

Ramos goes above and beyond when it comes to taking care of his athletes, no matter the time and place. Johnson says “He is there whenever an injury occurs, he stays after games to ice athletes, and takes care of the needs of our athletes. His role does not go unnoticed and should be highly appreciated and acknowledged by all.” 

Michael Wright is the Athletic Director at Redwood High School. He says “I’ve known Alex for 3 and a half years now and Alex has been a great addition to our athletic program. He came on half way through a football season a couple years ago and  he really stepped in and established a relationship with our students.”

Wright is a father of two boys who have played sports, been through injuries and needed treatment. He says “Having two kids that went through highschool and college sports, without the trainer they couldn’t have made it physically, and I feel a trainer is important.”

When asked about Alex’s impact at Redwood, Wright says “Alex’s expertise in recovery has been just phenomenal for our athletes. He’s able to treat all of our kids. We get him whatever equipment he needs to do rehabs or recoveries. Alex uses all the latest technology to get our kids back on the fields.” 

Wright adds “I just feel our trainer is indispensable. Not every school is fortunate enough to have a trainer, or in our case an Alex, so they don’t always get the treatment we get. Alex is a great person, he establishes great relationships with the kids, and does a good job with them. The kids love him, and he is just a great ambassador in highschool sports and all around in the training realm.” 

Magnus Burgess, ‘24,  is a student athlete at Redwood who also takes the SportsMed class that Redwood offers. This class teaches the kids about injuries, how the body works, and they even have to put hours in covering games. That is where Burgess really got to know Ramos. Burgess says “I’ve known Alex for 3 years, but really started to get to know him this year.”

Burgess has gotten to create a relationship with Ramos and says “It’s great, he’s a fantastic role model. He’s a great person to be around, and he’s the perfect person to ask questions about injuries.”

Ramos has made sure that he is more than someone the SportsMed kids shadow. Burgess says “I’ve learned many things from Alex beyond Sports Medicine. He has taught me different ways to deal with pressure along with gaining confidence in my sport.”

It’s no secret that Ramos plays a huge part in the Redwood athletic program. The Redwood family is very grateful for Ramos, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Burgess says “ Alex impacts Redwood in many ways. But mostly the way he brings other student athletes together in ways, no one else can.

“What makes Alex special from any other athletic trainer is his personality and the huge amount of heart he has. I couldn’t think of anyone else for the job. He’s made my interest in sports medicine and sports therapy go up more than when I first started, and he has definitely made my experience memorable, and I would like to thank him for that.“

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