MSCC Class of 2004

Don Decker

Head, University of Arkansas

Don Decker has been a collegiate strength and conditioning coach for the past 14 years. He began his coaching career at Kent State University as head strength coach for football. Twelve years ago, Don had the opportunity to return to the University of Arkansas, where he had received his Master's degree in exercise science, to serve as assistant strength coach to his mentor, John Stucky. He served as assistant strength coach for men's sports for five years before being elevated to his current position as the head strength and conditioning coach over men's sports.

During his tenure with the Razorbacks, Decker has been to the Final Four twice, including 1994 when the Hogs won the national championship. He also trained the 1995 team that finished second in the Final Four, the 1995 and 2002 football squads that won SEC Western Division titles, and the 1999 baseball team that won the SEC regular season crown. The football program, which is currently his number one responsibility, has been to six straight bowl games, including the Citrus Bowl and two appearances in the Cotton Bowl.

Decker has been fortunate enough to coach four First Team All-American football players and one All-American basketball player. While at Arkansas, he has been involved in the training of 38 athletes who went on to professional careers.

Decker is CSCCa certified as well as USAW Level 1 certified and CSCS certified. He has been published in the National Strength and Conditioning Journal and has also co-authored a paper presented at the proceedings of the 7th IOC Olympic World Congress on Sport Sciences held in Athens, Greece in October 2003. He is also a member of the Human Performance Lab Research Team at the University of Arkansas.

Don is committed to the following priorities: The Lord, Stacey, his wife of 15 years, and his passion for strength and conditioning.