By Dr. Zac Shutler, Ed.D. I was scrolling through social media at our hotel as my (then) 13-year-old son was preparing his uniform and his gear for another long day of travel baseball. I came across a post by a former Major League Baseball player that grabbed my attention. As…
By Jim Davis “Voodoo” was known all over Ireland. At least to those who played American Football. I’m not referring to Celtic traditions and fairy rings, “Voodoo” was the nickname of Erin Wagner, a defensive end who stood about 6’4” and filled out that frame with 240 hard-earned pounds. Voodoo…
Jim Davis, EdM, MA, RSCC*E The coach started practice at 5:30am. He believed these early mornings would teach toughness and discipline. The team responded well to the challenge and 4:30am wakeup calls became the norm. With puffy eyes and heavy feet, they would stroll in, tired but ready to work.…
Grit is defined as "the tendency to sustain interest in and effort toward very long-term goals (Duckworth et al., 2007). It belongs in a coach/educator's toolkit. The term "toolkit" refers to skills and strategies used by the professional with a student, and taught to the student for future use. We…
Physical Education is an essential part of any school curriculum, as it provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthy and active lives. It teaches them about the benefits of being physically active, which include improved physical and mental health, increased academic performance, and enhanced social…
Records fell at the 2023 Charger Regional, which officially kicked off the Illinois High School Powerlifting Association (IHSPLA) season on February 28th at Stagg High School in Palos Hills. Brian Buglio (Meet Director) hosted one of the largest meets in regional competition. More than 100 lifters from Lockport, Marist, Romeoville,…
By Jim Davis, Ed.M., MA, RSCC*D I was sitting in a folding chair in the basement of the YMCA in Niles, Illinois. 23 at the time, I’d been powerlifting alongside my football career. Strength played a major role in my life and it was now a competitive sport for me.…
The e-sports landscape is rapidly expanding. Hundreds of millions of people tune into live events and millions of dollars are offered in scholarships and tournament prizes. Roughly 200 colleges across the nation have developed varsity e-sports programs and that number continues to grow. Now, as colleges recognize the potential value…
By: Daniel Vela, BS & Christina Chu, MS, RD, LDN One of the largest contributors to athlete performance is proper fueling, which includes consuming balanced meals, choosing the right snacks, and adequate hydration. This can be overwhelming for youth and college athletes when considering cost, time, and making the right…
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is the hub of strength and conditioning in the United States. Founded in 1978, the NSCA is home to more than 60,000 members and certified coaches. S&C continues to expand. There are nearly 27,000 high schools in the United States. Strength programs, and…