Mission and Philosophy

The Mission of the Strength and Conditioning Department is to support the student-athlete by providing comprehensive sport specific programs that are designed to enhance athletic performance while minimizing the occurrence of injury. In addition, our program is designed to educate the student-athlete and foster an environment that effectively maximizes their athletic potential.

Our primary concern is for the welfare of the student-athlete. Hence, as a department, we are committed to the highest standard of ethical conduct, integrity, and excellence.

The Philosophy of the Strength and Conditioning Department is to provide a program that incorporates a variety of proven strength and conditioning training principles and methods with the ultimate goal of "Building a Better Athlete". Our program encompasses the main components for overall sport fitness: Strength, Power, Speed, Agility, Sport Specific Conditioning, Flexibility, and Sports Nutrition. In addition, we include exercises and drills that focus on Basic and Dynamic Balance, and Coordination, all of which are designed to assist in improving the movement patterns of the student-athlete. We believe that this type of program is essential in developing a competitor's complete athleticism.

Our strength and conditioning programs incorporate a wide variety of methods and styles of training. Olympic lifts, conventional weightlifting exercises, body weight strength exercises, circuits and interval training, speed development drills, and plyometrics are all taught to the student-athlete in order to fully develop each component of sport fitness. Our primary objectives are to educate the student-athlete with regards to proper exercise technique, progression, and exercise selection. Proper exercise technique is always a priority in each strength and conditioning session. The year-round program that we provide is divided into three periods: pre-season, in-season, and off-season. During these periods the types of exercises performed, volume, and intensity of training are manipulated to provide the appropriate amounts of stimulus in order to achieve peak performance levels.

Since each sport places different physiological, neurological, and musculo-skeletal demands upon the student-athlete's body, programs are designed specifically for each sport. Also, because each student-athlete is different, the programs will be designed to improve the individual athlete's strengths and weaknesses thereby improving their overall performance levels. An increase in the performance levels of the individual athlete will in turn result in an increase in the overall team success.

In order to monitor the progress of the student-athlete, each individual athlete is provided a program card to record the details of their strength training sessions. During the summer, the student-athlete is provided a Strength and Conditioning Manual that provides a detailed workout plan to assist them with their all important summer training.

Performance testing is conducted at various points throughout the year in order to measure the physical capabilities and progress of each student-athlete. Our staff will then utilize this information to assist with the development of team and individual training goals. This will support our student-athletes with their continued pursuit of excellence.

The Strength and Conditioning Department demonstrates a passion, commitment and intensity that is intended to motivate our student-athlete's to strive for excellence. All that we ask of the athlete is that he or she takes Pride in themselves, their teammates and the University, demonstrates a Commitment towards their strength and conditioning program, always works with a Sense of Purpose when training, and enters each workout session with a Positive Mental Attitude. The student-athlete must be willing to work hard and prepare for his or her own success.