San Clemente High School and Hoag celebrated a milestone in student-athlete care last week with the unveiling of the school’s fully renovated Athletic Training Room, a collaborative project designed to enhance recovery, injury prevention and overall well-being for Triton athletes.
The ribbon-cutting brought together district administrators, Hoag leaders, coaches and students to mark the completion of a remodel that transforms the once-dated space into a modern hub for sports medicine and rehabilitation. The project is part of Hoag’s ongoing commitment to support youth health and safety in the San Clemente community.
The renovation replaced every surface and fixture in the room, adding new flooring, lighting, cabinetry and wall graphics to create a clean, professional environment similar to collegiate athletic facilities. Upgraded equipment includes custom taping stations, physical-therapy tables, a Game Ready compression-therapy unit and an ice machine, allowing trainers to better support athletes through prevention, treatment and recovery. Cabinets are now fully stocked with essential medical supplies to meet the demands of high-contact sports and year-round competition.
“This new space will help foster a year-round approach to athletic health for our athletes and help them prioritize both their long-term well-being and their short-term performance,” said Athletic Director Matt Poston. “It’s a win for our community and a win for our athletes.”
The expanded layout gives trainers more room to work with multiple athletes at the same time, a practical improvement given the school’s large roster of sports programs. San Clemente High competes in nearly every major CIF sport, with hundreds of students using the facility throughout each season.
The remodel was guided by Hoag’s design team, which worked with school staff to align the layout and equipment with current best practices in sports medicine. Hoag’s contributions included consultation on physical-therapy infrastructure, athlete-care flow and access to advanced recovery technology.
Hoag President and CEO Robert T. Braithwaite, a San Clemente resident, said the investment represents the organization’s dedication to the next generation of athletes and to the broader health of the San Clemente community.
“The investment in our local athletes reflects Hoag’s commitment to the health, safety and long-term success of the San Clemente community,” Braithwaite said. He added that Hoag’s focus extends beyond facilities — toward cultivating wellness habits that last long after students graduate.
During the ceremony, Principal Dr. Brad Baker reflected on the project’s meaning for the school.
“This is a promise — a promise that every Triton has access to the best care, the best recovery and the best support right here on campus,” Baker said. “It’s about wellness, safety and excellence — the same values that define who we are as a school and as a community.”
Baker thanked Capistrano Unified School District leaders and Hoag representatives for their partnership, noting that the facility’s completion was possible through months of coordination between the district’s maintenance and operations teams and Hoag’s design specialists.
“This didn’t happen by chance,” Baker said. “It happened because we believed in it. We had great people to support it, and we worked for it.”
CUSD Superintendent Dr. Chris Brown spoke to how the new training room meets the evolving needs of today’s student-athletes.
“Sports aren’t the same as they were 30 years ago,” Brown said. “Athletes train and compete year-round, so what they do to their bodies is very different. Having a partnership with Hoag to build a space like this is a big step. I’m really proud that we can help take care of them.”