Congratulations to Gilman's Director of Sports Medicine Nick Pitruzzella, who was inducted into the Maryland Athletic Trainers' Association (MATA) Athletic Trainer Hall of Fame award in June 2026. This prestigious honor recognizes qualified MATA members for their exceptional and unique contributions to the athletic training profession. It reflects a lifetime of dedication to the Association and the field of athletic training on the state level. Pitruzzella calls the award “an amazing honor” adding that he is “truly humbled.”

Pitruzzella draws from his own experiences as an athlete when he had a couple of significant injuries. Working with trainers allowed him to see what it was like to have someone care for him in a time of need. Then he “knew that I wanted to change my career path to be an athletic trainer,” he says.

He names Lori Bristow, whom he worked alongside at Gilman for many years, as “the driving force” in his development in the role. “To this day, I still utilize the things she taught me. Lori is one of, if not THE main reason I am where I am today in the sports medicine world. I owe more than anyone can imagine.” Bristow was the first full-time female athletic trainer at an all-boys school in the country and worked at Gilman from 1986 to 2022, serving in many roles, including Co-director of Athletics.

Eight years into his career, Pituzzella struggled with work-life balance and left the profession. But his hiatus only cemented his calling for this work, and he returned to Gilman after three years away. “Due to Lori's unwavering support, I was able to integrate seamlessly back into the profession and Gilman. Lori was always a leader in the community, athletic training, the MIAA, and Gilman, and she showed me what it means to be one.”

What keeps Pitruzzella passionate on the job? “I love working with the students most of all. They bring a different aspect to our lives every day. I love the opportunity to care for the boys at Gilman.”