University Strength and Conditioning Departments in Focus
The S&C departments within universities provide excellent examples of evidence-based practice, applying scientific principles of S&C to their unique and challenging performance environments.
Through these articles, we will be taking a detailed look at what our partners at different institutions do, sharing good practice and providing a platform for collaboration and improvement.
If you run a university based S&C department, anywhere in the world, please get in touch to share your story.
Georgetown University
In this article we will be looking at the Sports Performance Department at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. The Georgetown Hoyas are the athletics teams that officially represent Georgetown University in college sports. Part of the NCAA's Division I, the Hoyas field 23 varsity level sports teams, most of which participate in the Big East Conference, with the exception of the Division I FCS Patriot League in football. The rowing and sailing teams also participate in east coast conferences. The men's basketball team is the school's most famous and most successful program, with current Head Coach, and NBA legend, Patrick Ewing leading the way.
Georgetown University Athletics
Sports Performance
The Iron Hoyas were created in early 2004 by Coach Angelo “Augie” Maurelli who became the school’s first full-time Head of Strength and Conditioning Coach. Since then, the GUSP Staff has grown to 3 full-time Sports Performance Coaches for 29 sports and nearing 750+ athletes.
The Hoyas train out of a 10,000 square foot weight room located in the recently opened John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center. The main weight room houses 20 custom-made, Sorinex lifting stations along with a medicine ball wall and 50 yards of turf. Each rack comes equipped with Eleiko barbells and bumper plates. The men's and women's basketball teams each have their own 1,500-square foot weight rooms with five Sorinex weight racks.
Student-athletes are trained in proper lifting technique along with speed, agility and strength training by highly qualified coaches. Student-athletes are given sport-specific programs paired with individualized programs to fit their exact needs.
The training facility takes part in Georgetown's Going Green Initiative by having cordless cardio equipment as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural sunlight to act as the main source of lighting.
Full-Time Internship:
The full-time position is a nine-month internship in a Division I Sports Performance department. Upon completion, the intern will be eligible to sit for the SCCC exam through the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association. The position requires the ability to work 40+ hours per week, including some weekends. Additional requirements: NSCA-CSCS, Bachelor's Degree in a related field, current CPR-AED/First Aid certification, previous experience as a strength & conditioning professional, and the ability to function as a Head Sports Performance Coach for designated Georgetown University Varsity teams.
College-Credit Internship:
To be eligible for a college credit internship, graduate students are required to obtain or be in pursuit of the NSCA-CSCS prior to the start of their internship and carry a current CPR-AED/First Aid certification. Undergraduate students must be in pursuit of a degree in a related field and demonstrate requisite knowledge of strength & conditioning. Curriculum and schedule are determined by the Georgetown Sports Performance staff in accordance with the educational institution's requirements of the intern.
Volunteer Internship:
Volunteers seeking practical experience in the Strength & Conditioning field may intern with the Georgetown Sports Performance Department. Volunteer interns who have completed their undergraduate degree are expected to obtain their NSCA-CSCS before the start of their internship and carry a current CPR-AED/First Aid certification. Volunteer interns who do not hold a Bachelor's Degree are expected to be in pursuit of a degree in a related field and demonstrate requisite knowledge of strength & conditioning. A commitment of at least two days and eight hours a week is required.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING 101
Train like a Division I athlete with the Georgetown Strength & Conditioning Staff. This is a two or three session-a-week course for one hour. You can learn how to perform Olympic weight lifting movements as well as increasing your strength, speed, and agility.
Outreach
Designed to be with younger kids, we can give them the experience of being a division 1 athlete, teaching the values of hard work, dedication and discipline. The sessions last 45-90 minutes. We have previously worked with KIPP, Boys and Girls Club of DC and various high schools and middle schools.
Seminars and Certifications
Utilizing our state-of-the-art facility, the Iron Hoyas host many seminars as well as certifications. We bring in experts in the field to discuss, train and advance the DC sports performance community.
Want to share how your department is structured?
Contact us at info@IUSCA.org and share how your department runs on a daily basis