Director, Texas A&M University
I started in the field of Strength & Conditioning in 1993 as an undergraduate assistant at Texas A&M after my collegiate playing days were over. I was blessed to be given this opportunity by Mike Clark. After finishing my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology in 1994, I earned a restricted earnings position. In the summer of 1995, I packed up and headed northwest to the University of Washington to start my first full-time job. It was there that I was lucky to share an office with Bill Gillespie and he opened my eyes to some new approaches to strength & conditioning. I jumped at the opportunity to return to Coach Clark's staff in 1996 as an assistant coach.
In all my years of coaching, I have enjoyed coaching a plethora of different sports that include: volleyball, softball, women's basketball, soccer, men's/women's tennis, golf, track, swimming, diving, gymnastics, and cheer squad. I have been blessed to have been part of conference championship teams and to have coached Olympic caliber athletes. However, my greatest joy comes from seeing athletes overcome fear and self-doubt to reach their many personal and team goals. One of my most prized awards is the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee "Coach of the Year" award that I received in 1999. I was the first non-sport coach to ever win this award and it is voted on by all sports. This award recognizes leadership, dedication, and inspiration to others. I have had 19 athletes receive the N.S.C.A.'s All-American Athlete certificate.
Since 2001, I have been the director of program development and education. I work hands-on teaching and training exercise physiology graduate students at Texas A&M, who show a desire to become strength and conditioning coaches. This has been a great opportunity to share knowledge and mentor younger coaches, some of which are sitting out here tonight. I know that I have influenced how they coach and train their athletes, but more importantly, they have made me a better coach and for that I am grateful.
I am married to Craig Ellsworth and have 2 children, Tucker (8) and Jenna Raye (6). In my spare time I enjoy training, reading, and spending time with my family.
