KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker: Bill Sands
Topic: Recovery - Myths, Paradoxes, and Placebos
Dr. William (Bill) Sands is the Director of the Monfort Family Human Performance Research Laboratory at Mesa State College. He is the former Recovery Center Leader, Head of Sport Biomechanics and Engineering and Senior Physiologist for the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He has over 35 years of experience in Olympic sports. Dr. Sands has served as an associate professor at the University of Utah’s Department of Exercise and Sport Science and Co-Director of the Motor Behavior Research Laboratory with adjunct appointments in Bioengineering and Physical Therapy. He was the Department Chair of Exercise Science & Sports Medicine at California Lutheran University and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory. Other positions include: Director of Research and Development for USA Gymnastics and Director of Sport Sciences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during their preparation for their first hosting of the Commonwealth Games.
He has chaired the United States Elite Coaches Association for Women’s Gymnastics for over 25 years, written 17 books, received over $1/4 million in grants and contracts, and published over 200 articles on sport performance. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and is certified as an Athlete Recovery Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Wilderness EMT, a CPR and First Aid Instructor and several certifications in emergency communications and search and rescue.
Dr. Sands, a former All-American, MVP, Co-Captain, and NAIA Gymnast of the Year, was also a World Championship coach in gymnastics and produced several Olympians, more than a dozen national team members, and many World Championship team members. His primary service and research interests lie in athlete recovery, electromyography, training monitoring, and strength and power performance. He is married with one daughter.
Keynote Speaker: Bill Hartman
Topic: Corrective Exercise Techniques for High Level Athletes
Bill Hartman is a physical therapist and sports performance coach in Indianapolis, IN, as well as the co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (I-FAST). He holds certifications with the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and with USA Weightlifting as a Sports Performance Coach. Bill also sits on the Board of Directors of the International Youth Conditioning Association.
Bill has been featured as a speaker at regional strength, conditioning and rehabilitation conferences and in national publications such as Golf World, Golf Week, Golf Magazine, Men’s Fitness, and Men’s Health. Bill works with athletes at all levels and can be found on the web at www.yourgolffitnesscoach.com and www.BillHartman.net.
Keynote Speaker: Mike Boyle
Topic: Death of the Squat
Boston University: Strength and Conditioning Coach for Men’s Ice Hockey (National Champions 1995, 2009)
Michael Boyle is one of the most sought after coaches and speakers in the area of performance training and athletic rehabilitation. In fact, Mike’s client list reads like a Who’s Who of athletic success in New England and across the country. Boyle has been involved in training and rehabilitation with a wide range of athletes, from stars in every major professional sport, to the US Women’s Olympic teams in soccer and ice hockey. In addition Mike has served as a consultant to some of the top teams in the NFL, NHL, as well as numerous division one athletic programs.
Mike brings a depth and breadth of knowledge that is unmatched in the industry, with ten years of experience at the professional level and over twenty years at the collegiate level. Mike’s work has been featured in the media on HBO RealSports, ESPN, CNNSI, as well as in Sports Illustrated and USA today. In both 2004 and 2005 Men’s Journal named Boyle one of the top 100 trainers in the United States.
Mike’s innovative series of live seminar DVD’s have set a new standard for industry education. Functional Strength Coach Vol 1+2 and Advanced Program Design continue to get rave reviews. In addition Mike’s two books have assisted in the education of literally thousands of coaches and trainers.
BASKETBALL SPEAKERS
Speaker: Keith D’Amelio
Topic: Assessing the Basketball Athlete
Stanford Men’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning Coach
This past year Keith D’Amelio began his tenure as strength and conditioning coach for the Stanford men's basketball program where he oversaw the design and implement all aspects of the players' strength and speed development programs throughout the year in addition to overseeing their nutritional needs.
A native of Boston, D'Amelio spent the previous four seasons as the strength and conditioning coach for the Toronto Raptors. During his tenure in Toronto, D'Amelio created and implemented individualized year-round training programs. He also assisted the training staff in maintaining the players' optimal health throughout the season. Prior to joining Toronto, D'Amelio served for three seasons as the assistant athletic trainer with the Boston Celtics.
A 2001 graduate of Arizona State with a degree in exercise science, D'Amelio also received his master's degree in exercise science from California University. D'Amelio holds numerous certifications and memberships. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer (NATA - ATC), a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA - CSCS), a Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM - PES) and a Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM - CES).
Speaker: Charlie Weingroff
Topic: Lower Extremity Performance and WBV Training Methods
Director of Sports Therapy at CentraState Medical Center, Former Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers
Charlie Weingroff DPT, ATC, CSCS is currently the Director of Sports Therapy at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ as well as the Director of Clinical Education for Vibraflex Whole-Body Vibration and Andante Medical LP. Prior to returning to his home state of New Jersey in the Fall of 2006, Charlie was the Strength & Conditioning Coach and Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Among the highlights of his tenure in Philadelphia was being part of the medical staff that ranked 1st in the NBA in Player Games Missed in the 2005-06 season.
Through rehabbing patients, Charlie subscribes to a movement-based approach popularized by the works of Dr. Vladimir Janda, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, and Gray Cook. In training athletes and clients, Charlie champions the principles of the Functional Movement Screen, Selective Functional Movement Asessment, and sound evidence-based training principles.
Aside from working with patients, athletes, and clients, Charlie is also under the bar himself. In 2007, he achieved AAPF Elite status at a body weight of 206 pounds with a total of 1915 pounds. His best powerlifting competition total is 800 squat, 510 bench press, and 605 dead lift.
Speaker: Tim Beltz
Topic: Developing Strength in the collegiate athlete
University of Pittsburgh; Men’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning Coach
Tim Beltz is in his eighth season as the strength and conditioning coach for the Pitt basketball team. Beltz, who is in his ninth year of service with the Panthers overall, also serves as the strength coach for women’s basketball, baseball and softball teams.
During his time at Pitt, Beltz has worked with some of the most successful student-athletes to play at the university. This past season, four Panther basketball players garnered All-America honors, including both Sam Young and DeJuan Blair, who were selected in the NBA Draft. Additionally, Beltz work with guard Shavonte Zellous, one of the most prolific scorers in women’s basketball history and a first-round selection in the WNBA Draft.
On the diamond, Beltz has worked with 18 players who have been drafted or signed to professional contracts and multiple All-Americans, including Chris Sedon, who was named to four different All-American teams, including the Collegiate News Louisville Slugger First Team.
Originally from Denver, Colo., Beltz attended Northern Colorado where he received his bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology in 1995. Beltz returned to the classroom to earn his master’s degree, also in exercise physiology, from Akron in 1998. During his two-year stint, he began competing as an Olympic weightlifter.
Beltz was also employed at the Fast Program in Boca Raton, Fla., where he worked with numerous NFL, Major League Baseball and NBA athletes. Beltz also assisted the Toronto Raptors’ strength coach develop weight training programs for the team. Beltz and his wife Trish had two children, a daughter, Alyssa and a son, T.J.
Speaker: Mike Curtis, M.Ed., CSCS, USAW, SCCC, NASM-PES, CES
Topic: A Systematic Approach to Movement Training for Basketball
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Men's Basketball
This past year Mike Curtis began his tenure as strength and conditioning coach for the University of Virginia men's basketball program. Prior to coming to Virginia, Mike served as the director of strength and conditioning for the Michigan athletics department for one year before being named head strength and conditioning coach for the Virginia men’s basketball program in May 2009. At Michigan, Curtis supervised and managed the training efforts of more than 20 athletic teams, five assistant coaches and two training facilities. He was primarily responsible for the implementation of performance training programs for men’s and women’s basketball.
Curtis, a former basketball player at Virginia, was the head strength and conditioning coach for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association for six years (2002-08) before assuming his responsibilities at Michigan. Curtis also served as the basketball strength and conditioning coach at South Carolina for one year (2001-02) and was the director of strength and conditioning for Olympic sports at Dayton for one year (2000-01).
Curtis, who is from Richmond, Va., earned a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from Virginia in 1998 and a master’s degree in exercise physiology in 2000. He lettered four times as a member of the Cavaliers’ men’s basketball team and was a team co-captain for the 1997-98 season.
Speaker: Amanda Kimball
Topic: Annual Planning: A detailed review of building a national champion while addressing the unique demands of the female athlete throughout the year
University of Connecticut; Women’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning Coach
Amanda has been an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Connecticut since July 2004. Her primary responsibilities are working with the women's basketball, field hockey, softball, and volleyball teams. Prior to her appointment she served as a graduate assistant in Strength and Conditioning at Springfield College while working toward her master's degree in applied exercise science with a concentration in strength and conditioning. While at Springfield she completed internships at Harvard University and Florida State University.
Amanda is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), is a certified Level I coach from USA Weightlifting (USAW) and a certified Level I coach from USA Track & Field. Amanda also earned her massage therapy certification from The Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) and is now a licensed massage therapist.
A native of Arundel, Maine, Amanda attended the University of Southern Maine where she played basketball and earned her bachelor's in health/fitness through the Kinesiology Department.
Speaker: Alan DeGennaro
Topic: Injury Prevention and Sports
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: Cleveland Browns
Alan DeGennaro is entering his second season as assistant strength and conditioning coach. DeGennaro was named assistant strength and conditioning coach on Jan. 29, 2007.
DeGennaro earned a B.S. in athletic training from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997 and continued his education at the University of Tennessee, where he earned his Master degree in kinesiology in 1999. He also worked with the Tennessee football program as an assistant on the strength and conditioning staff from 1998-99.
DeGennaro joined the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for two seasons (2000-01). He joined the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and directed the sports performance program from 2001-03. From 2004-05, DeGennaro joined Velocity Sports Performance, located in Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the Browns, DeGennaro worked in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania area, coaching speed development programs to high school and amateur athletes.
Coaching Background: 2007-08 Cleveland Browns, assistant strength and conditioning coach
HOCKEY SPEAKERS
Speaker: Jack Blatherwick
Topic: Sources of Information: Separating Fact from Fiction
Washington Capitals Strength and Conditioning Coach
The late great Herb Brooks always proclaimed Dr. Jack Blatherwick as the best hockey training physiologist in the world. "Jack was way ahead of his time in hockey training" said Brooks. Jack's book on "Overspeed Training" for ice hockey players illustrates his knowledge of hockey training.
Jack Blatherwick helped Herb Brooks train the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team and then joined Herb's staff on the New York Rangers. Prior to helping the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal Team, Jack taught math, coached both football and hockey in high school for 10 years and then returned to work on his PhD in physiology at the University of MN Medical School. Jack also served as an assistant hockey coach at the University of MN for seven years, while teaching physiology afterwards. Jack has since worked with several NHL teams in helping train its athletes.
Jack is currently employed by the Washington Capitals as their strength and conditioning coach. He has also been working the past several summers with many Sheehy Hockey clients in developing their strength and speed for hockey.
Speaker: Matt Nichol
Topic: Training Energy Systems
Matt Nichol is the former Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has been coaching professional and elite amateur athletes for over 12 years working with numerous athletes from the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA and CIS, Basketball Canada, Tennis Canada, Gymnastics Canada, Bobsleigh Canada and the Canadian track and Field Association.
From 2002-2009 he served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club (N.H.L.). In 2004, Matt was chosen as the Strength and Conditioning Coach Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey, helping Canada to capture the Gold medal.
Matt earned his Bachelor of Concurrent Education (B.Ed.) from McGill University in Montreal (completing a double major in Kinesiology and History/Anthropology) and his Masters in Kinesiology (M.Kin) from York University in Toronto.
He is currently the only NCCP Level IV/V Strength and Conditioning Coach in Canada, certified through the Canadian Coaching Association’s National Coaching Certification Program. He is certified with the NSCA (CSCS) and is a level II CHEK practitioner and a Level II Metabolic Typing Advisor. A former University athlete in both football and track and field, Matt was recognized as a Canadian University All-Star and an Academic All-Canadian.
Speaker: Frank Burggraff
Topic: Protecting the Stride
Frank is known throughout the country as the ultimate skating mechanics guru. He has worked with countless youth, high school, college and professional hockey players from the Minnesota/N. Dakota area. Frank is an expert in deconstructing an athlete’s stride mechanics and then rebuilding it to a more powerful and efficient one.
He has served as a consultant to numerous NHL teams and players while developing his ISOtm clinic, which is both an on- and off-ice training program at the Burrgraf training center in Moorehead, MN. Frank also had a successful playing career as he starred for the Fighting Sioux while winning 3 WHCA championships and 2 National Titles.
Speaker: Steve Wing
Topic: Tracking On Ice Volume and Intensity
Exercise Physiologist, Train Trak™
Stephen holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Exercise Physiology from Bridgewater State College, and has worked in the strength and conditioning field for the better part of 30 years. Prior to his current position at QinetiQ-NA, as an exercise physiologist developing a “Wireless Physiological Monitoring System”, Train Trak™, for team sports, Stephen held positions at: Cape Cod Community College, where he was the Director of Human Performance, and coached the Barnstable County Crew, and Cycling teams.
Stephen founded and owns, Advanced Fitness Systems, which focuses on the testing and performance enhancement of Team Sports, police, fire, and military. He also founded, Take Flight Fitness, a sports specific training facility focusing on the Individual Athlete; cyclist, runner, triathlete, and track and field. Stephen Also spent seven years the clinical setting as a Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Director at Saint Anne’s Hospital, and Navix Diagnostixs
Stephen has been a featured presenter at various clinics, and workshops focusing on the physiological aspects of evaluation, and sport specific conditioning programs. He is still an active adjunct instructor at Bridgewater State College lecturing on: Exercise Physiology, Circulation, and Metabolic Training. Stephen is a former amateur powerlifter in the 198lb class, and is currently a competitive cyclist, who also competes in track and field with the javelin.
Speaker: Larry Cahalin
Topic: Inspiratory Muscle Therapy for Ice Hockey: Improving lung function and recovery
Professor of Physical Therapy, Northeastern University
Larry Cahalin is a clinical professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University. His research focus includes the development of novel examination and treatment methods for persons with heart and lung disease and recently began investigating the effects of inspiratory muscle training in Division 1 ice hockey.
Larry earned his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from St. Louis University, a master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Iowa, and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Larry played ice hockey as a child through high school and is an avid ice hockey fan.
Speaker: Mike Potenza (**Pending NHL Playoffs)
Topic: Off Season Training for Ice Hockey
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the San Jose Sharks
Mike Potenza begins his third year as the Sharks strength and conditioning coordinator. He’s responsible for the team’s overall strength and conditioning programs — including the creation of individualized postseason workout programs and assistance in the rehabilitation efforts for all injured players. Before coming to San Jose, Potenza served as the strength and conditioning coach for the University of Wisconsin men’s and women’s hockey teams, both of which won their 2006 NCAA National Championships. There, he worked with current Sharks center Joe Pavelski. Potenza also had responsibilities with Wisconsin’s wrestling and softball programs.
A 2000 Springfield College graduate, Potenza earned his bachelor of science degree in applied exercise science. From there, the Providence, R.I., native went to Boston University, where he was a graduate assistant until 2002, earning his master’s degree in human movement science. Potenza completed an assortment of strength and conditioning coaching and internship experiences before his time at Wisconsin. At the University of Miami (Fla.), he served as a weight training, speed and post-workout coach for the perennial nationally-ranked Hurricanes football team. While earning his master’s, Potenza instructed professional, amateur and collegiate athletes at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, a private training facility specializing in various weight training, conditioning, agility, plyometric, stretching and rehabilitation programs.
Since graduating from Springfield, Potenza has held notable positions for Harvard University in Boston and Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. He assisted and supervised all phases of strength training programs for all intercollegiate programs at Harvard and Colgate and held primary coaching responsibilities with football, men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, lacrosse and field hockey for both universities. Potenza was part of the evaluation staff for the U.S. World Junior hockey team that competed at the 2008 World Junior Championships. His responsibilities included offering presentations on nutrition and recovery, administering physical testing and designing performance evaluations for each prospect.
Speaker: Sean Skahan (**Pending NHL Playoffs)
Topic: In Season Training for the NHL
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Anaheim Ducks
Sean Skahan enters his eighth season as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Anaheim Ducks. Skahan joined the Ducks in 2002 and is responsible for the overall strength and conditioning program for all players in the Ducks system. Skahan also coordinates all off-ice training at the annual prospect conditioning camp.
Prior to working with the Ducks, he was the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Boston College for the 2001-02 season where he worked with the hockey team. In 2000-01, he was the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of North Dakota. While earning his Master's degree in Kinesiology, the Massachusetts native worked as a Graduate Assistant Strength Coach at the University of Minnesota from 1999-00. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Massachusetts at Boston in 1998. He also holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (N.S.C.A.) and USA Weightlifting.