2026 3CATA Athletic Trainer of the Year
The California Community College Athletic Trainers Association (3CATA) is proud to announce Maria Castro as the recipient of the Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership, service, and long-standing dedication to the athletic training profession within the California community college system.
Maria Castro has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the advancement of the athletic training profession through her service with the 3CATA. She served as Vice President from 2020–2026 and as President from 2023–2026, providing leadership focused on professional standards, education, and advocacy for athletic trainers across the state.
Her professional career includes more than two decades of service at the community college level as a Certified athletic trainer. Maria served as an athletic trainer at Riverside City College from 2001–2013, followed by Cerritos College from 2013–2019, where she consistently prioritized student-athlete health, safety, and well-being. She continues to be an advocate for the profession in her current role as Athletic Director at Rio Hondo College.
The 3CATA Athletic Trainer of the Year Award honors individuals who exemplify exceptional skills, professionalism and dedication to student-athlete well-being. Maria Castro’s contributions have gone above and beyond her call to service and have left a lasting impact on the organization and the student-athletes she has served.
