Athletics Staff Bios
Christa Burgess
Athletic Director, Lacrosse Coach
email: burgesschr@trinitydc.edu phone: 202-884-9086
Christa Burgess has been on the Trinity Athletics staff since 2021, as Athletics Coordinator and most recently as our Assistant Athletic Director. She was promoted to Athletic Director on February 1, 2023. She is also a proud Trinity graduate, having earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. While at Trinity she was a tri-sport athlete in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. After graduating she continued to pursue her love for sports and fitness, working as rehab technician and as a personal trainer before starting her own business. Christa later worked with a nonprofit organization focused on helping kids to stay active and build valuable life skills through play. This led her to return to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, which she put to use as a Health and Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director with DC Public Schools. When Christa returned to Trinity, she quickly put all these experiences together to focus on supporting and engaging our Student-Athletes.
Christa is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, which is a community conscious, action oriented organization founded on the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood and finer womanhood. In 2021 Christa became a Professional Women’s Wellness Body Builder, she traveled around the world to compete and during her first competition she took home third place. Christa joins us bringing back the Trinity spirit, empowering women athletes and striving for excellence in our program.
Christa has made significant contributions to the Trinity Athletic program, including strength and conditioning with our Athletes. As Christa steps into the role of Athletic Director, she will continue to focus on Athlete development, and will take on coaching our newest sport, Lacrosse!
Giselle Coleman-Martinez
Head Volleyball Coach
Giselle Coleman-Martinez is the head coach here at Trinity. With an extensive career in volleyball competitively and recreationally, Coach Giselle has nearly 15 years of experience from her hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio mostly as a libero and defensive specialist. Before ending her career as a club player at the University of Cincinnati, Coach Giselle played with two regional travel club teams in Ohio, and has since played competitively in adult leagues in Maryland and Virginia. She started her volleyball career as a coach here in DC. Coach Giselle began coaching at Trinity in 2022 as assistant coach, and became head coach in 2024.
Jerome Cooke
Head Basketball Coach
On June 3, 2024, Jerome Cooke was named the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Trinity Washington University.
Born and raised in Washington, DC and Prince George’s County, Maryland, Coach Cooke graduated from Strayer University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and played basketball for one season before graduating from Northcentral University with a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Athletic Coaching.
Coach Cooke started coaching recreation leagues in 2003 in Temple Hills, MD . He then became an assistant coach at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Takoma Park, MD where he also served as the strength and conditioning coach. In 2012, he became the assistant coach at the College of Southern Maryland before becoming the interim head coach in 2014. That year, his team finished in the top 10 in the Maryland JUCO conference. In 2015, Cooke became an assistant coach for Northern Virginia Community College before transitioning to the head coach position, in which he led the Nighthawks from 2016 to 2024.
Coach Cooke is also the founder of Pointeblank Basketball Performance, a sole proprietorship that focuses on skill development, strength and conditioning, mentoring, and building confidence in players. Having coached several players who have gone on to play professionally, Cooke says, “My motto has always been, I don’t make the players, I make them better.”
Coach Cooke is excited to join the Trinity family as the Head Basketball Coach, and will bring a level of experience, knowledge, and passion that will help elevate Tiger basketball to the next level!
Mercedes Maynard Randall
Assistant Volleyball Coach
Coach Mercedes is in her first year with Trinity Washington University. Coach started playing volleyball in the 7th grade. Although she had just started, she knew she had found her sport! She had much success throughout her school and club volleyball career. Those successes earned her a full scholarship to play volleyball at Coppin State University. After some time off, Coach found herself back on the court, but now in dual capacities, both as a coach and player. Her journey as a coach began as a volunteer assistant coach within DC Public School. Coach Mercedes has over 10 years of experience coaching middle school, high school, regional and travel players throughout the DMV. When Coach Mercedes isn’t coaching volleyball, she is on the pool deck coaching or teaching, playing volleyball with friends, or with her son, Jacob.
Vanessa Ramirez
Assistant Soccer Coach
Vanessa Ramirez is a double Trinity alum, graduating with her undergraduate degree in 2020 and graduating with her graduate degree in 2024. Although new to coaching, Vanessa brings a lifetime of soccer experience and an unwavering enthusiasm for the game. A passionate player since childhood, she continues to play in various leagues across Washington, D.C. Vanessa is eager to start her coaching journey, aiming to inspire and develop players by sharing her love and knowledge of soccer. Her dedication and commitment to the sport make her a promising addition to any team.
During her time at Trinity, Vanessa played all four years on the soccer team, demonstrating exceptional skill and leadership. She served as team captain for two years, where she honed her ability to motivate and guide her teammates. Her on-field experience and leadership qualities have equipped her with a deep understanding of team dynamics and strategy, which she is excited to bring to her coaching role.
Nicole Schrader
Head Athletic Trainer
Email: schradern@trinitydc.edu Phone: 202-884-9087
Nicole Schrader enters her second year as Head Athletic Trainer at Trinity in January 2022.
Schrader has experience working with collegiate athletes at the Division I , II and III settings. She spent the past year working at Catholic University of America with men’s lacrosse and football. She also has experience working in the industrial setting and focusing on ergonomic adjustments. While living in Chicago, she worked as the athletic trainer for the FC Barcelona Academy team. Additionally, she is currently employed as a per-deim athletic trainer through Nova Care Rehabilitation and assists with sporting event coverage throughout the state of Maryland.
Schrader received her bachelor of arts degree in athletic training from the University of Northern Iowa in 2018. She is currently CPR and First- Aid certified and a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association. We are looking forward to Nicole’s expertise and her experience with modern practices in Athletic Training. Nicole will be extremely beneficial as we continue to navigate COVID-19 and Athletics. She has experience facilitating COVID testing and has implemented tools and techniques to focus on the mental health of student-athletes.
Enoch Thompson
Head Tennis Coach
Coach Thompson is entering his 10th year as the Head Coach at Trinity Washington University. A 1976 Architecture and Planning graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC, he is an acclaimed educator and certified tennis instructor at all levels of development for budding tennis players throughout the southeastern United States and Washington, DC. Thompson conducted and assisted at numerous tennis camps for juniors and adults in Columbia, SC where he coordinated clinics and player development workshops, ultimately helping young tennis players earn generous, well-deserved college scholarships. Many of his tennis students are still playing at various colleges throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Currently, Thompson is the Head Tennis Coach at Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC and is. He an instructor/contractor with the Washington Department of Parks, a volunteer with the Washington, DC Special Olympics and works tirelessly to create and promote healthy activities for adults and juniors throughout his community. Thompson has remained active in the architectural community, having continued to be involved with the American Institute of Architects Associates, the National Organization of Minority Architects, the Construction Specifications Institute, and the National Technical Association. Thompson also has served as Cub Scout Master, baseball coach and program director, and is an active member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church. He volunteers with the Young Masters Rites of Passage Program. Mr. Thompson and his wife are the parents of five children and three grandchildren who also enjoy the game of tennis.
Luis Zúñiga
Head Soccer Coach
On May 1, 2024, Luis R. Zúñiga was named Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Trinity Washington University. Coach Zúñiga is an energetic soccer professional with demonstrated excellence in coaching and motivating teams to perform at the next level. His experience, knowledge, and love for the game will make him a successful addition to the Trinity Washington University Soccer program.
Coach Zúñiga spent the past 4 seasons as the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Washington Adventist University (WAU). He brings over 25 years of coaching and recruiting experience in the DMV. Before WAU, Coach Zúñiga began his collegiate coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach at Howard University. Prior to coaching at Howard, he served as the Head coach and President for MD Alliance FC, coached at Bethesda Soccer Club, and was the Director of Recruiting for Pachuca FC USA. In addition, he’s coached youth and collegiate teams that have been ranked within the Top 10 nationally in the NPL and EDP Top Divisions and Region 1.
“I am so happy to be here at Trinity as the Women’s Soccer Coach. We will work hard to make this a successful program!” Coach Zúñiga says. “Through the years, I’ve been blessed to work with some of the best minds in college soccer and I’m looking forward to now putting it all together.”
