Robert Rodriguez has spent a lifetime lending his services as a certified athletic trainer to a long list of teams, individual athletes and programs. He has worked with athletes of every age and skill level, ranging from youngsters just starting out to Olympians at the peak of their competitive careers.

But the sport that captured his love in his youth has always held a special place in Rodriguez’s heart, just one reason he has been named as a recipient of the Colorado Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” recognition.

“Wrestling teaches you so much,” Rodriguez said. “As Dan Gable put it, once you wrestle, everything else in life is easy. He was spot-on. It teaches you discipline; it teaches you accountability, it teaches you about hard work. You can’t run away from it. It’s an individual sport with a team score. It teaches you loyalty and it stresses the importance of being honorable to yourself and those around you. When you wrestle, there are no excuses.”

Rodriguez began wrestling as a youngster in Broomfield, and pursued the sport through high school and into his first year of college at Colorado State. He then continued his competitive career in the U.S. Marines, where he also served as a Force Reconnaissance Team Leader and platoon sergeant.

Upon leaving the military in 1979, he then began a long career as an athletic trainer that saw him work with sports medicine programs at virtually every level, as well as dedicate countless hours as a volunteer to numerous sports and programs. He has worked with a long list of high schools and youth programs as well as camps, ranging from cycling to football to basketball.

Wrestling, however, has always been at the forefront. He has served with numerous USA Wrestling teams at the highest level, including as head trainer for the Greco-Roman team at the 2016, 2012 and 2004 Olympics, as well as a number of world championship events that gave him the opportunity to travel the world.

But along with working at the highest level of the sport, he has devoted many of his hours to serving as a volunteer for youth and high school programs in the Colorado Springs area. There, he has been able to help young athletes who otherwise might not have had access to athletic training services.

“Wrestling was important to me,” Rodriguez said. “It teaches you things that you apply to your life. When you get to the point where can help other people and give back, you do that. You remember people who helped you along the way. If you can help out your community — whether it’s volunteering with kids, helping out in other ways — it means something to the people.”

Rodriguez was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Greco-Roman Hall of Champions in 2015 for his role with the USA’s 2007 World Champion team. He has also received a number of certificates of appreciation from a wide variety of programs.

He is no doubt proud of his work with U.S. Olympians, but he is equally proud of the services he has lent to athletes of every age and ability.

“When I worked in some clinics, I helped treat athletes and then would go to their schools and work there,” he said. “Some kids didn’t have insurance, mom and dad were struggling, and if I could help out a little, I knew I could make a difference that way. That’s why you do it — to make a difference and help someone who needs it.”