Strength and Conditioning Practicum/Internship Description

Stadium Strength and Conditioning- Bridgeforth National Champions Weight Room

Application

James Madison University Strength and Conditioning (strength.jmu.edu)

Department Description: The JMU Strength and Conditioning Department teaches the values of hard, intelligent, consistent work, while empowering the student-athlete to significantly increase their performance capability, decrease injury potential and develop all components of their athleticism. The JMU Strength & Conditioning Program is based on the principles of Exercise Science; kinesiology, exercise physiology and biomechanics, as well as direct proven experience. Above all, that we exist to motivate and educate student-athletes in strength and conditioning; we lead by guiding rather than ruling. The stadium staff is comprised of three full-time coaches, and utilizes the stadium, convocation center, Memorial Hall and Godwin Hall facilities.

Practicum Description: To provide the practicum student with a positive, educational, and productive practical experience in which he/she learns the daily activities and responsibilities of a collegiate strength and conditioning coach. The practicum student will have daily and weekly responsibilities which include but are not limited to: weight room maintenance, setting up for work-outs, cleaning up after work-outs, assisting the strength staff during team and individual workouts, spotting athletes, and any additional assignments or duties required by the strength staff. All practicum students are required to attend a weekly educational meeting and to complete a notebook.

Internship Description: To provide the internship student with a positive, educational, and productive experience in which he/she learns the daily activities and responsibilities of a collegiate strength and conditioning coach in hopes of preparing them for a career in the field. The internship student will have daily and weekly responsibilities which include but are not limited to: weight room maintenance, setting up for work-outs, cleaning up after work-outs, assisting the strength staff during team and individual workouts, spotting athletes, coaching athletes, submitting journal reviews, participating in weekly educational training discussions, beginning to build a network of strength coaching contacts, submitting outside projects, and any additional assignments or duties required by the strength staff.

Sport Programs: Baseball, Men's & Women's Basketball, Field Hockey, Men's & Women's Soccer, Softball, Track & Field/Cross Country, Volleyball and the Cheerleading squad

APC Strength and Conditioning- Plecker Center

Department Description: The Plecker APC Weight Room is a state of the art 7000 sq ft. facility that is home to five NCAA Division I athletic teams. The APC Strength and Conditioning department is committed to the continual overall development of JMU student athletes. The APC strength staff is made up of three full time coaches who work together in designing and implementing year round lifting and conditioning programs for each athletic team. Each athlete is held to the expectations of being self-motivated, accountable, disciplined, and committed. Every program is designed to develop an athlete's overall physical ability to facilitate success both on the field and in the weight room.

Practicum Description: All Practicum Students will participate in each aspect of the strength and conditioning field, and come away with a better understanding of what the profession entails. Each student will be required to:
· Observe at least three lifting sessions per week
· Research articles related to strength and conditioning
· Participate in question and answer discussions with coaches
· Help maintain safety and cleanliness of all equipment

Throughout the semester, students will be strongly encouraged to ask questions. Towards the latter part of the semester students will be asked to design programs and discuss these programs with the coaches, which will create a better understanding of program design. Our goal for each student is to give them a clear picture of the strength and conditioning profession so that they are better able to make decisions about their future career.

Sport Programs: Football, Men's & Women's Golf, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Swimming / Diving and Men’s & Women’s Tennis

Contact: Derek Owings, Director of Strength & Conditioning/APC (owingsdc@jmu.edu)

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