2019 National Conference

Bret Miguez

Panel Member: Preventing Exertional Illnesses and Incidents in Athletes

A panel of collegiate strength and conditioning coaches will discuss initial health screenings for athletes, reducing risk in first year athletes, and how to adjust programming for returning athletes. There will be specific discussion on preventing exertional rhabdomyolysis, programming for athlete(s) returning from exertional rhabdomyolysis, reducing risk of exertional heat illness and approaches for post strength/conditioning recovery. The discussion will provide coaches with programming suggestions for at-risk environments and issues that should be part of their emergency action plan.

Bret Miguez is the former Director of Strength and Conditioning at Abilene Christian University. While at ACU, Miguez was responsible for the training of over 400 student athletes which included football and basketball. Prior to ACU, Miguez spent two years as the Director of Strength and Conditioning Coach at South Dakota School of Mines. Miguez was the program's first strength and conditioning coach. That said, in just two years, he was able to establish their strength program as one of the best in NCAA D2 athletics. In addition, Miguez has worked as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at The US Air Force Academy and Colorado College.

Miguez obtained a Master's degree in Applied Health and Sports Science from Northwest Missouri State University where he worked as a Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant. During his time at NWMSU, he was part of the 2014 NCAA Division II national championship football team. Miguez earned a Bachelor's degree in Management with a Minor in Exercise Health Science from the University of Massachusetts Boston. While pursuing his studies he worked as a Volunteer Strength and Conditioning Coach at UMass Boston and Milton Academy.

Miguez holds a CSCS, SCCC, USAW-1, RPR-1 and CPR/First Aid/AED certification. In addition, he is a member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and United State Weightlifting Association