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Issue #3
Welcome to Locker Room Talk.
We believe that Equipment Managers are the backbone of every team. In our third official issue, we’re proud to spotlight someone we met earlier this year, but we’ve grown extremely close with. Someone whose path to the profession was fueled by passion, resilience, and family - Victor Montoya, Assistant Director of Football Equipment at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
🎖️ Equipment Manager Spotlight
🏈 Finding Purpose in the Pivot
After a knee injury in high school derailed his dreams of playing college football, Vic headed to New Mexico State unsure of what was next. It wasn’t until he took a job as a student laundry assistant that he discovered the world of equipment and from there, everything changed. Vic joined the equipment staff and quickly found something that filled the void: purpose, camaraderie, and the grind of game day prep.“I started to feel like I was part of a team again. Not necessarily with the football team, but in the EQ room… There’s just something about being behind the scenes and hearing people talk about the uniforms or helmet decals. It’s a really cool feeling knowing I got to play a role in it.”
//🔑: Purpose doesn’t always come from the spotlight. Sometimes it lives in the details no one sees.
🏡 Why He Does It
Ask Vic what drives him, and he won’t hesitate. It’s his family. Moving across the country to North Carolina came with challenges, but it was possible because his family had his back from the beginning. “I am very lucky to have a family that pushing me to pursue my dreams. I’m extremely grateful for them and the sacrifices they made, every step along the way.”That kind of familial support hits home for us at Deo. When we told our parents we were committing to building a business full-time right out of college, it wasn’t an easy conversation. Their belief in us gave us the confidence to go all in. For Vic, that same belief continues to be his anchor. It fuels him and motivates him to keep pushing forward.
//🔑: When you know who you’re doing it for, the work takes on a whole new meaning.
👥 Brotherhood Built in the Equipment Room
Vic credits his growth to learning from some of the best in the business. Mentors like Louis Sandoval (NMSU), Brian Daniels (Wake Forest), and Ray Bolger (Charlotte). But it’s his relationship with Dale Usry, Director of Football Equipment at UNC Charlotte, that stands out most."Dale, that’s my guy. I knew from the first time meeting him that we’d be close. We feed off each other, run ideas back and forth...I genuinely get to work with my best friend every day, it’s a blessing."
//🔑: Strong teams don’t just work well together; they trust and support each other like family.
💿 Favorite Locker Room Song
Victor’s a music lover through and through, but when it’s time to get set up, he’s spinning Country.
💭 Quote of the Month
“I fell in love with Equipment Management when I started to feel like I was part of a team again.” – Victor Montoya
🎗️ On behalf of Victor, we’ve donated to the Cottie & Cake Fund, supporting the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery (NICU) at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC.
TL;DR: Victor Montoya turned a football injury into a calling. From the laundry room at New Mexico State to becoming Assistant Director of Football at UNC Charlotte, Vic’s story is one of resilience, relationships, and roots.
