NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. – University of South Alabama head strength and conditioning coach Justin Schwind has been named the 2011 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by Samson Equipment.
Schwind was one of nine individuals recognized by Samson — a company that supplies custom weight training equipment for athletic programs and professional teams throughout the country — which honors recipients each year including strength and conditioning coaches from the National Football League, all college divisions and a pair of high school coaches.
“I’m excited about having the opportunity to be rewarded for helping create something special here at South Alabama, a philosophy of what performance means to every sport program,” said Schwind. “I think this is a reflection of not just me but of my staff, and what we have been able to put together. We definitely work long hours and don’t get the recognition, but all the hard work means something and the award recognizes what we’ve done.
“And it’s a great opportunity to help put South Alabama on the map too; any time that happens, it’s a chance to promote the school and the sport.”
“Justin is one of the hardest-working strength and conditioning coaches that I know,” Jaguar head football coach Joey Jones added. “His number-one priority is what is best for the student-athlete. He starts from there, and is able to motivate and train these young people in a way that I haven’t seen. Not only is Justin knowledgeable, he’s a great motivator, and I think those two things are critical in being a great strength and conditioning coach.”
Schwind joined the USA staff in 2009, working directly with the football and men’s golf programs. In addition to designing and implementing football’s strength and conditioning program, he supervises the day-to-day operation of the football weight room and works with his staff of three full-time assistants, a graduate assistant and student staff to monitor the strength and conditioning programs for each of the department’s 17 sports.
A 2004 graduate of Texas State, Schwind was the head strength and conditioning coach at Birmingham-Southern for two years prior to joining the Jaguar staff.
“He built the entire strength and conditioning program at USA from scratch, and his philosophy includes a complete balance of body training to avoid injury,” stated Scott Schroeder, Samson’s Director of Sales and Marketing.
Each winner will be highlighted in the March issue of American Football Monthly. For further information, contact Rex Lardner at rlardner@AFMmedia.com.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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