For Colorado State University Pueblo alumna Sara Padilla, A14, athletic training has always been about more than injuries and rehabilitation. It is about trust, leadership, communication, and caring for athletes as people first.
After graduating in 2014 from CSU Pueblo’s Athletic Training program, Padilla built an impressive career path that took her from collegiate athletics to professional baseball with the Baltimore Orioles minor league system before transitioning into outpatient rehabilitation with Coastal Orthopedics. Along the way, she discovered not only her passion for rehabilitation, but also the kind of healthcare professional she wanted to become.
Some of her most memorable experiences at CSU Pueblo came through the Athletic Training Education Program’s clinical and lab courses under the guidance of Roger Clark and faculty mentors.
“Roger Clark and his staff provided valuable opportunities to learn skills in classroom and real-life settings,” Padilla said. “As a student, I was fortunate that we had high-performing athletes who were winning and excelling. I have taken a lot of what I learned in those experiences and continue to apply those skills in how I practice athletic training today.”
Padilla credits her CSU Pueblo education with developing the strong clinical decision-making skills that prepared her for the fast-paced world of professional sports medicine.
“I was taught to ‘figure it out,’” she shared. “That gave me the freedom and confidence to problem solve in the athletic training room, while traveling, or on the field.”
Those skills proved invaluable during her time working in the Orioles’ minor league system, where she worked closely with international athletes from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, the Bahamas, Aruba, and Puerto Rico. As one of the few female staff members and a Spanish speaker, Padilla was able to build meaningful relationships with players and provide culturally responsive care that strengthened her impact as a healthcare practitioner.
Looking back, Padilla says she is most proud of the growth she experienced during her time in professional baseball.
“I learned how to be a better leader, practitioner, and teammate,” she said.
One particularly meaningful moment came when she received recognition from the Orioles organization for exemplifying the core value of “humility” through the compassionate care she provided to a player battling an aggressive leukemia diagnosis.
Today, Padilla works in outpatient physical therapy rehabilitation, a career move inspired by her experiences in professional baseball.
“After working in minor league baseball, I learned that I enjoy rehab and was searching for a better work/life balance that is difficult to find while working in professional sports,” she explained.
For current students and young professionals, Padilla emphasizes the importance of mastering the skills that are often not taught in the classroom.
“Showing up on time, being prepared, being present for athletes, making an effort, communicating well, being a team player, maintaining a clean facility, being curious, asking questions, and taking care of yourself are all important,” she said.
Even years after graduation, Padilla remains connected to the ThunderWolf community by staying in touch with mentors Laura and Roger Clark and following CSU Pueblo athletics.
“I would not be where I am today without their quality education, guidance, and understanding,” she said. “I like to follow the sports teams and athletes to see how the programs continue to excel.”
From the ThunderWolf sidelines to professional baseball and rehabilitation clinics, Padilla’s journey reflects the lasting impact of a CSU Pueblo education and the dedication required to care for athletes at every level.
