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Issue #5
Welcome to Locker Room Talk.
We believe that Equipment Managers are the backbone of every team. This month we’re honored to spotlight someone who has shaped programs across the country and continues to impact the profession through service, leadership, and creativity — Anthony Martin, Equipment Manager at Rutgers University.
🎖️ Equipment Manager Spotlight
Anthony Martin
💡 Lessons That Last
For Anthony, the most important takeaways from his early days in the profession aren’t about facilities, budgets, or titles; they’re about people.
“Every school and program are super unique. Bigger budgets don’t always mean better. It is all about the people and providing the best service to your coaches, athletes, and colleagues.”
He credits mentors like Steve McCoy at Oregon State and the late Ian Hume at Michigan, along with countless friends in his network, for shaping his approach. At the heart of it all is passion. Anthony believes the profession comes down to building relationships and learning from those around you.
//🔑: Success is built on relationships, passion, and service. Not budgets.
🎨 Branding with Purpose
While at Oregon State, Anthony played a key role in the launch of a new brand identity. Years later, he would bring that same creative touch to the AEMA, designing its logo and shaping how the association presents itself today. For him, branding isn’t about rigid rules, but about upholding standards while allowing room for creativity.
“Being a ‘brand police’ can be a tricky task, but I think it is important to understand and uphold brand standards... the brand has served your team before you got there and will last long after you leave.”
He encourages young equipment managers to learn skills like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. These tools open doors to uniform design, apparel concepts, and community engagement. For us at deo®, this resonates as we’re in the middle of reimagining our own brand identity, and Anthony’s perspective is a reminder that brand isn’t just logos or colors. It’s a story about who you are and what you stand for.
//🔑: Branding isn’t just a logo or a color pallet. It’s about your story, your identity, and your legacy.
👨🏫 Leadership by Example
Having worked every level of athletics, from intern to director, Anthony knows leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about respect and building community. His philosophy immediately reminded me of this visual:
This simple graphic captures the difference. A boss expects the team to serve them, whereas a leader serves the team. A leader trailblazes the path, takes accountability and does some of the heavy lifting too. Anthony’s approach is exactly that of the “leader.” He emphasizes staying grounded, never being “too good” for any task, and showing a willingness to roll up your sleeves alongside the people you lead. Or as he puts it:
“Leading by example goes a long way in this team-oriented profession. We are all one part in the #TeamBehindTheTeam, so no matter how small it may be, succeed at your job so the team can compete and win at the highest level.”
//🔑: The best leaders set the standard through action, by serving the team, not themselves.
💿 Favorite Locker Room Song
Anthony is a proud Swiftie. Everything and anything by Taylor Swift. He even flew to Sweden last year for the Eras Tour.
💭 Quote of the Month
“Never be too good for anything. Get your hands dirty every now and then to get the job done.” – Anthony Martin
🎗️ On behalf of Anthony, we’ve donated to the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming Great Danes. It’s a cause close to his family’s heart. You can learn more here.
TL;DR: Anthony Martin, Equipment Manager at Rutgers, shares how relationships drive success more than resources, why branding is about story and legacy, and how leadership means never being too good to do the small jobs.
