Collin Ring
ASU Student Journalist

Eastmark equipment manager brings plethora of experience and skill

October 28, 2020 by Collin Ring, Arizona State University


Rotier presents the Firebirds newest varsity jerseys.

Collin Ring is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student who covers Eastmark High School for AZPreps365.com.

With the challenges of COVID-19, Arizona already has seen dozens of high school football games cancelled this season. Many new precautions must be in effect, especially if Valley high schools expect to successfully meet the new AIA requirements to qualify for playoffs.

This is definitely not what Eastmark was expecting for its inaugural varsity season.

“All summer long we have had our masks on to and from the field, all of the player’s gear and water bottles have been six feet apart,'' coach Scooter Molander said. "We painted giant blue dots on the field so that the guys knew where to go. It was always going against trash cans and a lot of skill work.” 

Fortunately for Molander, Eastmark has one of the more experienced and knowledgeable equipment managers in the state. Scott Rotier is in his second year with the school and he has built himself quite the resume.

At the high school level, Rotier has served as an equipment manager and assistant athletic director. He spent three years around Div. I athletes at Western Michigan University during his time as a student equipment manager. Rotier also served as the head equipment manager for the Arizona Hotshots before the AAF was shut down. If that isn’t impressive enough, Rotier even has worked with several NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions, the Washington Football Team (the then-Washington Redskins) and the San Francisco 49ers.

Eastmark Athletic Director Kraig Leuschner is more than thrilled to work alongside Rotier.

“Having him come to us with that level of experience, brings to us a really effective approach to all things equipment,'' Leuschner said. "From distribution to collection, to modification, to inventory, he can do a lot of things that I have grown to respect."

With Rotier’s experience, Leuschner expects the best and has been highly impressed thus far.

“He’s willing to help; he’s willing to adjust; and he’s willing to learn,'' Leuschner said. "Even though he’s been doing this job at the highest of levels, he's still learning and adapting. He just learned how to have our games filmed and live-streamed to the sideline so that our players can review plays during the game. He opened the box, read the directions. It was relatively unclear and next thing you know he’s on the phone with Hudl and he’s making it happen for our kids and our coaches."

Rotier said his success is due to quick problem solving. He addresses problems in a creative manner that most people might not consider.

“We are a really small school with really young kids,'' Leuschner said. "We have varsity sized uniforms for JV sized kids. Then Rotier whipped out a sewing machine and started altering uniforms so that the kids looked good. Look good, play good, you know? He’s able to use his skills and, overall, this prevents the players from being tackled easier. He’s enhancing their overall performance."

When asked about his favorite career moment, Rotier explained the 2012 Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers.

“And not just the game or the day leading up to the game, it was the 14 days before the game that was just an absolutely amazing time,'' Rotier said. "We had just gotten back from Atlanta, and we are already crazy busy in the equipment room. So, in those four days before we left we had to pack, not just our normal equipment for our game, but we had to repack all our trunks and pack enough stuff for a week’s worth of practice at the Saints practice facility. We spent an entire 10 days in New Orleans. ... Our hotel was one block away from Bourbon Street and we were definitely busy every night and tired every morning."

Although Rotier has unique experiences, he is excited about his next chapter with the Firebirds.

Eastmark's Impressive Equipment Room. (Photo Courtesy of Eastmark High School Athletics)

“I was an assistant athletic director and head equipment manager at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., and the facility here at Eastmark is 100,000 times better than the facility over there,” Rotier said.