JOE ROGOWSKI

Orlando Magic

Joe Rogowski enters his fourth season as strength and conditioning coach for the Orlando Magic, joining the organization in August of 2006.  Prior to returning to the Magic, he completed his master’s degree and worked at Lake Howell High School as a certified athletic trainer and biology instructor. Rogowski’s duties include overseeing all physical aspects of the development of the players. 

In addition to strength and conditioning, Rogowski monitors the player’s nutrition and recovery programs, allowing them to maximize their performance while maintaining year-round health.  As a certified athletic trainer, he also incorporates individualized injury prevention programs tailored to the needs of each player.  

Besides his strength and conditioning duties, Rogowski coordinates the cardiac administration and testing of the Magic players and staff and simultaneously analyzes their V02/lactate levels.  He also helps with the cardiac testing of NBA players at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp and works with several universities and other professional teams in a similar capacity. 

Rogowski graduated from DePauw University with a degree in sports medicine and athletic training, while also lettering in football.  He then acquired his master’s degree from the University of Central Florida in the field of exercise physiology.  Rogowski is certified in both ATC/L and CSCS.  Before working with the NBA, he worked with several other sports venues including the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, MLS’s Chicago Fire and various Orlando high schools.  He also spent one year working at Athletico Physical Therapy in Chicago, IL and previously worked with the Magic as a strength and conditioning intern in 2002-03.

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Rogowski spends his free time competing in triathlons, fishing and cheering on the Chicago Cubs.

Articles:

http://www.athletic-heart.com/

Commentary for Sudden Cardiac Death in the Athlete, by Athletic Heart

BRYAN DOO

Boston Celtics

Bryan Doo is entering his sixth season as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Boston Celtics. He was named to the position on August 3, 2003. Prior to joining the Celtics, Doo founded Optimal Fitness: Professionals in Health and Human Performance in Waltham,MA,which specializes in-home personal training, speed and agility camps for high school and collegiate athletes, post physical therapy andmanagement of corporate fitness facilities.

Doo has consulted and trained various NHL, Olympic and elite athletes. He also served as the Wellness Director at the Harvard Business School from 1998-2001, and a coach at Harvard University. Doo is a frequent and eloquent speaker regarding sports & athletic development, injury prevention and teamtraining at local and national conferences.

Doo earned his bachelors degree in Sports and Exercise Science in 1995 from Messiah College in Pennsylvania, while also minoring in Business. He holds his Masters degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the National Academy of Sports Medicine and American College of Sports Medicine.  He currently resides inWaltham, MA with his wife Brianna, his dog Bella and cat Ichiro.

ERIK HELLEND

Chicago Bulls

Erik Hellend is his 23rd season with the Bulls.  He has previously coached at Elk Mound (Wis.) High School and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Erik has consulted with numerous college and professional strength and conditioning programs and has worked extensively with athletes from the NFL and European Basketball Leagues, as well as professional, collegiate and high school athletes from nearly every sport.

He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a strength and conditioning specialist and USA Weightlifting as a Level I coach. Erik is a 1987 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he earned his degree in Physical Education with an emphasis on athletic training and coaching.  He and his wife, Michele, have two sons, Gunnar-12, and Trevar-9. 

FRANCESCO CUZZOLIN

Formally with the Toronto Raptors

Francesco Cuzzolin is the first European to become a Strength and Conditioning Coach in the NBA. He hails from Italy and he has worked for 15 years with two of the most successful european  basketball teams, Benetton Treviso and Virtus Bologna, from where many NBA players, like Manuel Ginobili and Andrea Bargnani have started their careers. He has worked for three years with the Russian national team whom Andrei Kirilenko played, winning a European championship as well as participating in the Beijing Olympic games.  This summer he'll be busy working with the Italian national team.  He has also worked as a university teacher in Italy lecturing about training for team sports and athletic rehabilitation. 

Currently, he is the president of the EPCA (European physical conditioning association) and part of the board of the APFIP (Italian association of basketball conditioning coaches).

Articles:

Functional Evaluation for Basketball

AL VERMEIL

Al Vermeil is in his 21st season as the Bulls’ strength and conditioning consultant. He was most recently inducted into the USA Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments.

Vermeil graduated with degrees in Physical Education and History from Utah State in 1968 and received his master’s degree from Kansas State University in 1970.  His knowledge and implementation of new techniques and training methods have made his programs highly successful and respected throughout the sports world.  Before making the jump to the pro ranks and assuming the position of strength and conditioning coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 1979, he enjoyed a successful high school football coaching career and was an outstanding collegiate football player at Utah State University.  During his four years with the 49ers, his program made a major contribution to the team’s 1982 Super Bowl Championship. 

Currently, Al is the President of Vermeil’s Sport and Fitness, Inc. (VSF) which specializes in athletic assessment and training as well as occupational fitness programs.  VSF also has consulted with the San Francisco Giants, University of Alabama, Texas A&M, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago White Sox, The Academy of Golf at Lakeway, Nicklaus Academy of Golf, Golf Digest School and the Los Angeles Lakers.  Al has been the featured speaker at many coaching clinics, including the National Strength and Conditioning Association and National Athletic Trainers Association and has been the subject of numerous television, radio and newspaper interviews over his 35-year career.  He has written many articles for major publications like Golf Digest, the National Strength and Conditioning Association Journal, as well as several conditioning manuals. 

He is the only strength coach who has worked in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball along with being the only strength coach to have a World Championship ring from the NFL and NBA.  Al and his wife, Diane, reside in Lincolnshire, Ill. 

RAY EADY

University of Wisconsin

Ray Eady is currently the strength and conditioning coach for the women’s basketball program at the University of Wisconsin. He has been the strength and conditioning coach for the Wisconsin basketball program since 2008.  Previously, he was the head strength and conditioning coach for men’s and women’s basketball at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio (2004 - 2008) and Northeastern University in Boston, MA (2003 - 2004).

Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, Eady holds a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Akron and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA – CSCS), a Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM – PES), and a Club Coach with the United States Weightlifting Association.  He is also a member of the Black Coaches Association (BCA).

Articles:

Female Basketball Players Need to Get Strong

Q&A

Getting the most out of your Reserve Players

Push Up Progression

MIKE CURTIS

University of Virginia

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.

Articles:

Q&A

Summer League: Making an NBA Roster

JOSH BONHOTAL

Purdue  

Josh Bonhotal was hired as an assistant director of sports performance in May of 2011. He will oversee the sports performance program for the men's basketball team.

Prior to his arrival at Purdue, Bonhotal spent nearly three years with the Chicago Bulls as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Bonhotal's duties with the Bulls included coaching athletes through all aspects of the strength and conditioning program, traveling with the team to manage player workouts and lead warm-ups, testing and evaluating NBA Draft prospects and coordinating recovery protocols.

Bonhotal also served as a strength and conditioning intern with the Bulls following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 2006 with a degree in kinesiology.

Bonhotal's additional work experience includes a stint as strength and conditioning coach at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Winchester, Mass., and a sports performance internship at the International Performance Institute in Bradenton, Fla.

He worked in the UW sports conditioning department as a student assistant while pursuing his undergraduate degree, while also founding Get In the Game Sports Performance and serving as its director from 2004-07.

Bonhotal is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and is also a certified Heartsaver AED through the American Heart Association.

He is expected to receive a Master of Exercise Science degree from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia, in December of 2011.

MATT HERRING

Currently with San Antonio Spurs

Formally with University of Florida

Matt Herring enters his sixth year as the strength and conditioning coordinator for the University of Florida men’s basketball and men’s and women’s golf program. Herring arrived in Gainesville after spending the previous two years at Oklahoma State. He arrived at Oklahoma State after spending two years as an intern at the University of Texas. During his stint at UT, he also spent a season as the strength & conditioning coach for the men’s basketball team at St. Edward’s University in Austin. 

Herring earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise sports science from Southwest Texas in 1994. He achieved his M.Ed. in kinesiology from the University of Texas in May of 2002. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and USA Weightlifting. Matt is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Certified Sports Performance Coach.

Articles:

Q&A

AMANDA KIMBALL

University of Connecticut

Amanda has been an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Connecticut since July 2004 and is coming off of back-to-back National Championships for the Women's Basketball team. 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. 

Women's Basketball National Champions - 2010

KEITH D'AMELIO

Formally with Stanford University and the Toronto Raptors

Currently with NIKE

Keith recently joined Nike as the  Assistant Director of Performance.  Here he is tasked with helping Nike form their overall training philosophy, product and technology innovation as well as working with some of their elite athletes.  Prior to accepting this position Keith served as the strength and conditioning coach for the Stanford men's basketball program where he oversaw the design and implement all aspects of the players' athletic development program throughout the year. Keith spent the previous four seasons as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Toronto Raptors. During his tenure in Toronto, D'Amelio created and implemented individualized year-round training programs which helped lead to some of the fewest games missed due to injury in the NBA during that time period.  

Prior to joining the Raptors, 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.  Keith holds numerous certifications and affiliations. 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).  A native of Andover, MA Keith and his wife Jaime now reside outside of Portland, OR with their son Marcus, dog Gracie and horse Nakai.

Articles:

Audio Interview

Summer League: Making an NBA Roster

GLENN HARRIS

Boston University

Supervising all strength and conditioning programs for the Terriers' 24 varsity teams, head coach Glenn Harris and his staff aim to improve an athlete's size, speed, strength and power using the latest training techniques.  A 1994 graduate of Springfield College, Harris earned his master's degree in exercise science from Appalachian State in 1996 as a graduate assistant. Harris came to BU in July 1996, serving first as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. In that role, he supervised the strength and conditioning regimens for the 1996-97 America East champion men's basketball, field hockey and men's soccer teams.

Since being at BU, Harris has had the opportunity to train athletes from the European Basketball League, members of the USA women's soccer team, USA women's ice hockey team, USA women's lacrosse and professional athletes of Major League Lacrosse and the National Hockey League.  He recently consulted with the Massachusetts State Police fitness coordinators and served as a conditioning coach for the 19th Special State Police Academy. Harris is also co-owner of Game Fit Performance Training, LLC, a company with the vision of utilizing current research in exercise science to design and implement cutting edge strength and conditioning programs for athletes as well as everyday professionals. Harris is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and also holds a Club Coaching Certification by the U.S.W.

Articles:

Pre-Season Training

Q&A

It's Plan and Simple

TIM BELTZ

University of Pittsburgh

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. 

BRIJESH PATEL

Quinnipiac University

Brijesh Patel began his first year with Quinnipiac University in August 2008 as the athletic department’s strength and conditioning coach. Patel previously held the title of assistant strength and conditioning coach at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. While at Holy Cross Patel worked extensively with the men’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, and cheerleading programs while also assisting with other sports. Patel’s responsibilities ranged from weight room management to serving as sports medicine liaison before implementing strength and conditioning programs for the Crusaders. Patel was also an intern with Holy Cross during the summer of 2002.

Prior to Holy Cross Patel served as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Connecticut. While at UConn Patel worked with the women’s ice hockey, baseball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and women’s cross country teams. Patel also assisted with the men’s basketball and football programs. In addition to his strength and conditioning responsibilities, Patel also taught a course entitled, “Fundamentals and Principles of Free Weight Training,” for which he assisting in writing a course manual. Patel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2002 and a master’s degree in sport management in 2004 from the University of Connecticut. 

Articles:

Writing College Summer Training Programs

The Single Leg Squat

Q&A

Time Efficient Training

A Practical Approach To Torso Training Part I

A Practical Approach to Torso Training Part II

Long Femurs? Gotta Single Leg Squat

Periodization for Sport: Part I

Periodization for Sport: Part II

Move it or lose it

Greased Lightening : Building Speed

Diversifying your repetoire

JAY DEMAYO

University of Richmond

Jay DeMayo has been the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Men’s and Women’s Basketball at the University of Richmond since October 2005. His studies as a sport performance specialist combine general strength and movement training with a progressive approach to the specific through out the athlete's career. 

At the present moment, Jay is working with different specialists to design bench marks and progressions for special exercises to improve movement from the general to the specific and technique of movement to improve performance.  Jay also has put together the Central Virginia Sport Performance Seminar which brings in some of the top coaches in the United States and scientific minds from through out the world for a one day seminar. 

Articles:

Stretching with the Spiders

How to build a bigger squat

JENNIFER JONES

Texas A&M

Jennifer Jones is in her sixth season as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and her ninth year of association with Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair. Her responsibilities include all elements of strength and conditioning for the women’s basketball program. “Jen makes our kids proud of their physiques and is constantly encouraging them to become the elite athlete they can be,” Blair said. “She prepares vigorous training and workouts geared toward optimum performance on the court. Jen is a great motivator and makes conditioning a fun experience for our athletes.”

Before arriving in Aggieland, Jones spent three years as the head strength coach for women’s athletics at the University of Arkansas and four years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Houston. While at Houston, Jones was responsible for the development and implementation of team and individualized conditioning programs for all varsity Olympic sports. She designed separate programs for weight training, agility, speed and flexibility. She also supervised undergraduate and graduate staff while maintaining the facility. A 1995 graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, Jones worked as a graduate assistant for one year at East Carolina where she worked with the volleyball, softball, men’s basketball, football, track and soccer programs. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Jones played collegiate volleyball at MSU and led the Spartans to the NCAA Tournament during her four seasons. An All-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior, Jones was a two-year team captain and team MVP. She graduated while holding several school records.

• 2011 Women's Basketball National Champions

BRENDON ZIEGLER

Cal State Bakersfield 

Brendon is in his first season as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Cal State Bakersfield Athletics.  He oversees strength and conditioning for all teams on campus including Men’s and Women’s basketball.  Prior to arriving at Bakersfield Brendon worked with Oregon State’s basketball team for 5 years.  Prior to Oregon State, Ziegler served as a graduate assistant at the University of Hawai’i. Brendon also has experience working at the University of Wisconsin and an internship with Chicago Bulls of the NBA.  Ziegler is certified through NSCA-CSCS and USA Weightlifting. A native of Edgerton, Wisc., Ziegler was a four-year starter in football at Hamline University and is also a competitive weightlifter.

Articles:

Q&A

DEVAN MCCONNELL

Formally of Stanford University - Women's Basketball

Devan McConnell enters his second season with the women's basketball program. McConnell is responsible for all aspects of the players' performance enhancement, including speed, strength, power, nutrition and recovery. A native of Seattle, Wash., Devan attended college outside of Boston, Mass. at Fitchburg State College, where he lettered in hockey. After receiving his degree in exercise science in 2008, he worked with Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, one of the premier private strength and conditioning facilities in America.

In addition to his time coaching in the Boston area, McConnell has also spent time with the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks of the NHL.  McConnell holds several certifications, including the Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES), Functional Movement Screen certified level 1, as well as NASM and ACSM memberships. McConnell resides in Mountain View.

Articles:

Training the Collegiate Female Basketball Player

Single Leg Squat Testing

Q&A

Recovery For Basketball

ANDY WEIGEL

University of Alabama 

Andy Weigel is beginning his second season at Alabama as the team's strength and conditioning coach after two seasons at VCU(07-08 & 08-09) in the same position on Anthony Grant's staff.

Weigel also assists with the men's tennis team's strength and conditioning as he did at VCU.

He rejoined Coach Grant at VCU after spending two season's (05-06 & 06-07) working with the Gator's basketball, golf and tennis teams.  A Wisconsin native, he graduated from Florida with a degree in exercise and sport science in 2006 and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS).

Articles:

Movement Prep: Making the Most of It

Q&A

GREG WERNER

James Madison University 

Greg Werner became the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at James Madison University in 1995 after working as an assistant in the program the previous three years. He received his Masters degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science from JMU (’94). He became interested in speed, strength and conditioning while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Human Performance with an emphasis in Exercise Science at Austin Peay State University (’91). In his tenure as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at JMU, Werner has grown the program from himself and one part-time assistant working out of two weightrooms (5,000sq.ft.) for 27 sports to its impressive size now, with himself, a full-time Football Strength & Conditioning Coach, and four full-time assistants working out of five weightrooms  and a couple multi-purpose/cardio rooms (19,800 sq.ft.) with 19 teams.  In addition to directing JMU's strength & conditioning program Coach Werner is the faculty instructor for the School of Kinesiology's Concepts of Strength & Conditioning course (KIN 425).  Before coming to JMU Werner coached for one year at the University of The Pacific in Stockton, California, and was an assistant at Austin Peay State University for two years.  Outside of the collegiate ranks Coach Werner has instructed several NFL, MLB, Pro Basketball and Olympic athletes.  In 2006 Coach Werner received the prestigious title of Master Strength & Conditioning Coach from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and he was nominated by his peers to be a finalist for the NSCA's College Strength & Conditioning Professional of the Year Award.  In 2005 he received the highest honor from the National Strength & Conditioning Association and earned the Coach Practitioner distinction.  In 1999 he was selected the National Strength & Conditioning Association, Colonial Athletic Association Strength & Conditioning Professional of the Year, and was nominated for the National Professional of the year award.  Also in 1999, he was selected to be the Strength & Conditioning specialist for the US National Field Hockey team.  Werner has been active in the National Strength & Conditioning Association for several years, he served as the Virginia State Director for the maximum term, and has been an active speaker at the NSCA Sport Specific Training Conference, CSCS Symposium and several other coaches clinics and camps.  In addition to his coaching and teaching Werner has published over 30 articles in various coaching journals and magazines, and is the webmaster for this website.  Coach Werner is a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, is Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified through the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association, an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health/Fitness Instructor, International Sports Medicine Association Certified Sports Nutrition Consultant, as well as a Nike SPARQ Certified Trainer.  Coach Werner is the President of AthElite Strength & Conditioning services, a training and consulting business.  He and his wife Cyndi have two children, Hans Christian (15) and Heidi Faith (13).

ALAN STEIN

DeMatha Catholic High School

Alan Stein is the owner of Stronger Team and the Head Strength & Conditioning coach for the nationally renowned, Nike Elite DeMatha Catholic High School boys basketball program.  He spent 7 years serving a similar position with the Montrose Christian basketball program.

Alan brings a wealth of valuable experience to his training arsenal after years of extensive work with elite high school, college, and NBA players.  His passion, enthusiasm, and innovative training techniques make him one of the nation’s leading experts on productive training for basketball players.  Alan is a performance consultant for Nike Basketball as well heavily involved with Nike SPARQ Basketball. He is the head conditioning coach for the annual McDonald’s All American game, the Jordan Brand All American Classic, and the Nike Summer Skills Academies. 

Alan is a Camp Coach at the prestigious NBA Player’s Association’s Top 100 Camp as well as the Chris Paul CP3 Elite Backcourt Camp. Alan has filmed over a dozen DVD’s on improving performance and is a sought after lecturer at basketball camps and clinics across the world. He has been featured in Winning Hoops, Time Out, Dime, SI.com, SLAMonline.com, American Basketball Quarterly, Stack, Men’s Health, HOOP, and FIBA Assist Magazine.

http://www.strongerteam.com/

Articles:

Vertical Jump Con Artists

Q&A

Matthew Johnson, M.S.

Montrose Christian School

Coach Johnson is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Men's Basketball at Montrose Christian School located in Rockville, MD (2011 ESPN Rise Champions and # 2/3 in the Nation according to USA Today and Powerade Fab 50).  Along with his position at Montrose, Matt is the owner of Strength Coach Concepts, an information based website for parents, athletes and coaches interested in the field of strength and conditioning.  Matt has a vast amount of experience training basketball players from all performance spectrums, skill sets and abilities.  His past clients include players from the high school, collegiate and professional ranks.

Matt is a multi-faceted strength and conditioning professional. He is passionate about research as well as coaching. Recently, Matt completed research which took over 2 years to complete. The study investigated the acute strength responses exhibited after training with chain variable resistance. Matt has also completed research on topics such as lactic acid production, aerobic capacity and neuromuscular efficiency.  He is currently investigating the incidence and type of injuries related to basketball players in order to design an effective injury prevention program for his athletes.

Coach Johnson received his B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in Sports Nutrition from Marywood University (Scranton, PA). In 2009, Matt received his M.S. in Strength and Conditioning from Bridgewater State College (Bridgewater, MA). While attending Marywood, Matt was a 4 year member of the Varsity basketball team and captained the squad his senior season. In the past, Matt served as a full-time intern in the Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning Department at Boston College. While at Boston College, Matt worked with the Men’s and Women's Basketball teams. His other work experience includes Bryant University, Velocity Sports Performance and Evolution Sports Performance.  Matt has been instructed and educated by Lee Taft (Sportsspeedetc.com), nationally recognized speed and movement expert.

www.strengthcoachconcepts.com
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/28sgsy7
Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/27fmjpw

Desmond Santiago

Puerto Rico

Desmond Santiago began his career as a trainer in 1997 in one of the best gyms of that time: The Caparra Fitness Club. Later in 1999, Desmond ventured to Power House Gym where he worked independently and quickly became one of the most sought out trainers in the gym. In the year 2001 he founded Optimum Body Performance. The aim was to create a team of professional trainers all certified and well prepared to provide top-notch service to clients, designing and providing exercise and fitness programs, geared toward the goal of the clients.

Desmond‘s passion and continual pursuit for quality, brought him to establish his own training facility in the year 2005. There he created and implemented innovative and successful performance enhancement training programs for his athletes and members. Desmond soon developed a reputation and established himself as the best in Puerto Rico, allowing Optimum Body Performance to open its second facility in the year 2008 at the Natatorium in Central Park, Puerto Rico.

Desmond is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) and a National Strength and Conditioning Assoc. (NSCA) certified Personal trainer (CPT). Trained and mentored by some of the best performance enhancement Coaches in the US.

Desmond Santiago currently serves as the strength and conditioning coach for the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team, as a writer for ESPN Deportes “La revista”, as a speaker and educator in the fitness and performance enhancement industry, as a performance enhancement coach to athletes of all levels , but above all as the president of Optimum Body Performance, where he ensures OBP lives up to his Vision and Mission.