Vermont Athletic Performance
Athletic Performance Staff
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Brady Holt |
Director of Athletic Performance |
brady.holt@uvm.edu |
802-656-7888 |
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Justin Smith |
Assistant Coach |
justin.smith@uvm.edu |
802-656-0619 |
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Marc Hickok |
Assistant Coach |
mhickok@uvm.edu |
802-777-6272 |
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Brad Dolak |
Assistant Coach |
bdolak@uvm.edu |
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In the fall of 2005, the University of Vermont athletic department unveiled a new state-of-the-art athletic performance center in Patrick Gym. The old facility was 1,200 square feet and the new complex is 11,000 square feet, giving UVM one of the largest facilities in the Northeast. The state-of-the-art complex features eight Olympic platforms, 19 working stations, a 30-yard turf sprint track, as well as, ample room for core strengthening activities.
The University of Vermont athletic performance program is a key component in the progress and overall development of UVM student-athletes. Individualized sport-specific strength and conditioning programs are designed for every student-athlete. The personalized programs focus on improving physical capabilities while improving their sport-specific skills and conditioning levels to enhance their overall performance. In addition to enhancing the development and performance of UVM student-athletes, the training also focuses on injury prevention of all athletes and reconditioning of injured athletes.
Training Philosophy
Our Athletic Performance Training philosophy is guided by the following principles:
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science based training
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movement quality and efficiency
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coaching is teaching
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developing athleticism
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training is relevant to the sport
We refer to science based training that is rooted in biophysics, biomechanics, exercise science, exercise physiology and anatomy. Training efficient movement reduces the stress on the joints, reinforces proper mechanics, conserves energy, increases the speed of movement, and strengthens the integrity of the tissues. Since coaching is teaching, then the best coaches are also the best teachers. Knowledge is power and teaching empowers the athlete. Since we can’t do it for them, we must teach them. Training relevance to the sport is guided by the ideology that most team sports are power-speed athletes and the training need of these athletes are very similar. Differences lie in the injury sites, nature and incidence; the work capacity and energy system demands; how much emphasis needs to be placed on certain traits; as well as male and female differences.
The athletic characteristics that we seek to develop are displayed in the diagram below which we refer to as the Performance Pyramid. Most sports and all team sports need a combination of most if not all of these characteristics.
To produce and implement a health-first approach to performance enhancement in which the quality and efficiency of movement and training are emphasized in a manner that reinforces performance instead of failure. The goal of this approach is to significantly improve both the mental and physical aspects of athletic success through training. The Athletic Performance coaching staff will enhance each individual student-athlete’s athletic potential through efficient, well organized, scientifically based programs and training sessions that include all aspects of athletic performance. It is our goal to teach athletes the importance of effort, execution, attention to detail and being coachable. These programs and sessions will be structured with an emphasis on the neurological, hormonal, and recovery needs of power-speed athletes. We will accomplish our mission through adherence to program principles. We will be diligent in education and advancement in order to develop a plan that consistently puts our athletes in a position to succeed.
Athletic Performance Calendar
UVM'S NSCA Strength & Conditioning All-Americans
2004 - Scott Mifsud (hockey) & Kami Cote (hockey)
2005 - Kenny Macauley (hockey) & Gabe Worzella (hockey)
2006 - Torrey Mitchell (hockey) & Kristin Norris (hockey)
2007 - Colin Devore (skiing), Corinne DiPietro (track & field), Valerie Kechian (skiing), Aaron Shore (lacrosse)
2008 - Jan Carlson (track & field), Cameron Grant (track & field), Valerie Kechian (skiing), Jilyne McDonald (skiing)
2009 - Colin Devore (skiing), David Hanss (track & field), Kristen Heavens (field hockey), Valerie Kechian (skiing)
2010 - Evan O'Brien (lacrosse) & Bryana Park (skiing)
UVM Athletic Medicine Department