I have previously worked at two other internships before Northeastern. My first introduction to the field was my 2010 summer internship under Jeff Oliver, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the College of the Holy Cross, for his performance camp, Be Athletic Sports Performance, working with kids ages 7, up to teens around age 18. My second experience was at UCONN, under Coach Butler, working with Men’s and Women’s Track, Men’s Hockey, Women’s Hockey, and Men’s Baseball, and working under Coach Kimball with Women’s Basketball. Seeing these well known and highly accomplished coaches coach, has given me the motivation to want to coach.
My first introduction into the field at Holy Cross was a bit of a difficult experience for me because I had never coached before. Some of the lifts I had never even seen or heard of before, such as the snatch and the clean, and then I had to try and coach kids who had no idea either on how to do the movements. As the summer progressed, I progressed too and got increasingly more comfortable with coaching and more observant of technique. Overall it was a very challenging, but equally rewarding experience. I remember working with seven year olds doing a hockey specific conditioning program, lifting for the first time, as well as some pretty unathletic teenagers that showed noticeable increases in confidence by the end of the summer.
At UCONN, I got to work with some extremely elite athletes, and observe two highly acclaimed coaches. Just being able to be around so many great people at UCONN, watch the coaches coach, and watch the athletes respond and progress, has made me want to go into this field. Being able to see first hand the importance of the athlete to coach relationship makes this field appealing because you are both reliant on each other. When things go right, everybody wins, and it is rewarding, but when things go wrong, the strength coach may be held partially accountable. You as a coach are directly affecting the life and health of the athlete, and they rely on you to the best job you can, and know as much as you can about the field strength and conditioning. The athlete entrusts the coach to create the best program for them and make sure they are doing everything correctly, while the coach entrusts the athlete to listen, be smart, stick to the program, and optimally take care of their body outside the weight room so they can constantly progress in their sport.
Not only is coaching rewarding, but I also see it as satisfying and provides a sense of accomplishment, especially if your correction has lowered the risk of injury. The job of a coach is also a very important one, because without a good coach, the athlete won’t perform as well, and they are probably going to be more prone to injury. If the athlete isn’t training correctly, they won’t be able to reach their peak potential, which is where the strength coach steps in. It is also important so that the athlete feels mentally and physically healthy. Also, the athlete should feel satisfied with their performance, and you should be satisfied that you have provided them with the tools in the weight room for them to succeed and keep progressing.
I also like the field of coaching because it is a challenge. Each athlete is going to have their own needs, and you have to constantly adapt. Nothing is ever set, a team may cancel a lift right before or ask to lift right before for a time they were not scheduled. I also like the fact that you get to interact with so many people, but this is also a challenge for me at times. Sometimes I find a lot of people overwhelming, but with coaching you have to get used to that, and coach multiple people at once and I guess I also like coaching because it “brings me out of character.” I am not a loud person, but when asked to keep track of time or do certain tasks in the weightroom that make me be really loud, it pushes me out of my comfort zone and therefore makes me a better person. I like how coaching allows you to meet so many people that you wouldn’t otherwise know. At my time at UCONN I would walk around campus, and all the athletes would say hi to me, and it was just a great feeling, especially transferring into a school that large from a school so small. Also in my past experience, most athletes are really great, positive, and hard working people. They push back and can inspire and motivate you as well.
One saying that has motivated me at UCONN that has stuck with me is “earn respect,” which is what Coach Butler advised me to do one day. I really like this saying because sometimes with internships the tasks may involve things that may not be considered fun to do, but then you think of why you are doing it, and it helps you put things into perspective. Maybe you aren’t doing something right, or you may need to practice something a lot before you do it perfectly, but at least if you show that you are giving it your all, people will respect you. Respect is a major foundation for every new relationship, and if the people around you don’t respect you, you’re going to be in trouble at some point down the road.
One of my favorite moments so far in this field was getting to work with UCONN Women’s Basketball during preseason this year. Three days a week I woke up at 5am, and I helped set up and coach five days a week for a good portion of the semester. It was such a great experience getting to see such quality athletes workout everyday. All of the girls on the team have so much personality, as well as a tremendous bout of athleticism, and overall it was a really fun experience. Being such elite athletes, they got into the weightroom and just cruised through the work like it was nothing, without complaining, all while having a good time. It was really inspirational watching them go through Coach Kimball’s killer circuits at 6am; flipping tires, pulling ropes, stacking plates, pushing sleds, and so forth. I realize that the majority of the population isn’t as athletic, and probably won’t adapt as easily in the weightroom as this group of athletes, but each experience and group of athletes have their own challenges. Nothing is ever easy.