The Head, Heart, and Hands of Mentoring
Presentation Summary: Biography:Sandy Abney is the Assistant Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of Olympic Sports at the University of Texas and owner of Power to Perform, LLC.
She also serves as the director of the University of Texas Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning Internship program where she oversees the development and mentoring of graduate assistant strength and conditioning coaches. Sandy currently serves as the Head Strength and Conditioning coach for Women's Varsity Crew, Women's Novice Crew and Women's Swimming program.
She has over 15 years' experience as a collegiate Strength and Conditioning professional. Sandy began working at the University of Texas in 1999 as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach where she oversaw the performance training of 5 Division 1A teams (Golf, Varsity Crew, Novice Crew, Softball, Swimming) while also assisting with Football. Prior to her arrival at the University of Texas, Sandy worked as an Exercise Physiologist for St. David's Hospital in Austin, TX working in the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. Before working in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Sandy worked as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Under the direction of Head Strength and Conditioning coach, Larry Levermann, Sandy oversaw the performance training of Volleyball, Softball, Track and Field, and Cross Country.
Sandy received her degree in Exercise Sports Science from Texas State University in 1996 and holds certifications from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (SCCC), National Strength and Conditioning Association (*RSCC), and United States Weightlifting Federation (USAW Club Coach Level 1).
In addition, she is a former collegiate track and field heptathlete and power lifter turned Olympic Weightlifter. Sandy has held the title, Master Olympic Weightlifting National Champion, in the 63 kg. class in 2009 and has competed as a nationally ranked weightlifter for over 13 years. Highlights of Sandy's power lifting career include setting a collegiate national bench press record of 202 lb. at the age of 18 competing in the 148 lb. class. Highlights of her weightlifting career include competing for spots on the 2001 USA Weightlifting World Team and the 2004 USA Weightlifting Olympic team.
