LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOL, NJ -- Every championship team needs a rock-solid foundation, and at Linden Public Schools, that foundation is built on the dedication and expertise of 𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗼.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 (𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗠)—a time to recognize the unsung heroes who keep student-athletes healthy, strong, and ready to perform. This year’s NATM 2025 theme, "Champions in Health Care," is a perfect tribute to Rotondi and Figueiredo, who provide top-tier medical care for nearly 800 student-athletes in Linden.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗰𝗲—𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

Athletic trainers are far more than sideline supporters. They are highly skilled healthcare professionals who specialize in injury prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation, and overall athlete wellness. From high schools and professional sports to hospitals and the military, athletic trainers play a vital role in keeping individuals safe, active, and at their best.

At Linden Public Schools, Rotondi and Figueiredo are the first responders when injuries happen, the rehabilitation specialists who get athletes back in the game, and the mentors who ensure students develop healthy habits for life. Their work isn’t just about healing—it’s about inspiring confidence, resilience, and peak performance.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲

𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶: 𝟭𝟰 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

A familiar face on the sidelines for over 14 years, Roger Rotondi has been a pillar of strength in Linden Athletics. His journey began as a preceptor at Kean University, where he mentored up-and-coming athletic trainers—including his current colleague, Andrea Figueiredo. After completing graduate school, he returned to Linden full-time, committed to protecting and preparing student-athletes.

For Rotondi, athletic training isn’t just a job—it’s a passion-driven profession.

“Athletic training is a perfect attendance job. You don’t think of it as work because you love what you do,” Rotondi said. “The most rewarding part is seeing an athlete recover from an injury and knowing we had a role in helping them get back on the field.”

Whether it’s taping, stretching, rehabbing, or providing immediate care, Rotondi ensures that every Linden athlete is safe, supported, and game-ready.

𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗼: 𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲

Andrea Figueiredo’s journey with Linden began in 2018 when she worked part-time before stepping into a full-time role in 2023. Her passion for athletic training was ignited in college, where she met Rotondi as her mentor at Kean University. Since then, she has been committed to ensuring that student-athletes receive the best possible care.

For Figueiredo, no two days are ever the same—and that’s what she loves most about the job.

“One moment, we’re helping an athlete stretch out a cramp, and the next, we’re evaluating an injury on the field,” she said. “It’s unpredictable, fast-paced, and incredibly fulfilling.”

She also takes pride in building long-term relationships with student-athletes, watching them grow from middle school to high school and beyond.

𝗔 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁: 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲

With over 500 high school athletes and 200+ middle school athletes per season, Rotondi and Figueiredo handle everything from minor sprains to complex rehabilitations. Their expertise and care are essential to the success of Linden’s athletic programs.

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

“They both bring unique strengths to the team and together, they have elevated our athletic program to new heights,” Firestone said. “I’ve told them many times how much I appreciate them, and I truly mean it. They are absolute home runs for our department.”

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲

In recognition of National Athletic Training Month, Linden Public Schools proudly salutes Roger Rotondi and Andrea Figueiredo for their tireless dedication, expertise, and commitment to student-athlete health and wellness. Their work embodies the spirit of "Champions in Health Care," proving that athletic trainers are not just behind-the-scenes figures—they are the lifeline of sports.

As we celebrate National Athletic Training Month, let’s take a moment to appreciate these incredible professionals who keep our student-athletes safe, healthy, and performing at their best.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼!