NSCA Foundation Assistantship
The NSCA Foundation annually extends up to five assistantships to aspiring professionals eager to expand their expertise and advance their careers. These individuals will have the invaluable opportunity to collaborate closely with and be mentored by accomplished strength and conditioning coaches holding the esteemed NSCA Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) credential. These mentors are highly accomplished and educated, dedicated to nurturing the future wave of strength and conditioning professionals. Each recipient of this program will receive a $10,000 stipend, disbursed over a 5-month duration, in exchange for their commitment to working 40 hours a week.
As part of the NSCA Foundation Assistantship Program, recipients are offered a unique professional development opportunity through the TrueSport Coaching Education Program. This transformative program empowers coaches—key influencers in the lives of young athletes—with the knowledge, tools, and values needed to foster a positive and ethical sports environment.
Participants will complete four comprehensive modules that explore the core principles of TrueSport, including:
- Understanding the impact of coaching decisions
- Developing a personal coaching philosophy grounded in ethics
- Navigating challenges with athletes and parents through effective communication
- Addressing critical issues such as performance-enhancing substances and nutrition
Upon completion, assistantship recipients will become TrueSport Certified Coaches, equipped to champion integrity, sportsmanship, and long-term athlete development both on and off the field.
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Important Dates
Applications will be accepted and reviewed by the NSCA twice a year.
Cycle 1
Applications accepted March 2-October 1 (through 12pm MTN) annually
Placement for Assistantship: January-May
Cycle 2
Applications accepted October 2-March 1 (through 12pm MTN) annually
Placement for Assistantship: August-December
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Qualifications
Candidates chosen to be part of this program should demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and show a focus in the field of strength and conditioning. The following criteria will be considered when awarding assistantships:
- Applicants must have completed a graduate or undergraduate strength and conditioning curriculum from an accredited college or university
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens
- Applicants have graduated from their undergraduate or graduate degree within the past 5 years.
- Applicants should be involved in the strength and conditioning field. Work and/or volunteer experience as an assistant strength and conditioning coach will be considered
- Applicants must possess current certification as a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Applications must possess a current CPR Certification
- Applicants must be current members of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (student or professional membership)
- Applicants must not be a RSCC
- The NSCA Assistantship program is not designed to serve as a ‘double dipping’ financial opportunity. Applicants may not:
- Be already currently employed with their RSCC requests
- Receive additional compensation from the company/organization/academic institution on top of the NSCA Assistantship stipend ($2,000 a month/$10,000 total)
- Applications must be completed via the application portal (no paper copies or emails will be accepted)
- Previous Assistantship recipients are not eligible to apply
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Assistantship Scoring Criteria
Our Coaching Advancement Grant & Assistantship Committee Members will review the following items on our scholarship application:
- Grades/GPA
- Courses Completed
- Overall Academic Achievement
- Strength and Conditioning Experience
- NSCA Involvement
- Honors and Awards
- Community Involvement
- 2 Essays (clarity, expression, goals, lucidity, grammar, and articulateness)
- Recommendations
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Assistantship Application Review Process
Round 1: Application (~1-2 weeks)
Cycle 1 Applications Close: March 1, 12pm (MTN) annually
Cycle 2 Applications Close: October 1, 12pm (MTN) annually- Applications reviewed/graded by Coaching Advancement & Assistantship Committee Members
- Applications that fall below the median grade will not move forward on to Round 2
- Applications must be fully completed and submitted for consideration
- Application questions/requirements include Membership Number, CSCS Number, Resume, CPR Certificate, Transcripts, three RSCC Preferences (applicants will select their United States-based RSCC preferences from the NSCA's RSCC registry *International positions are not available at this time) 3 Professional Recommendations, Education History, Employment History, Athletic Experience, Public Speaking/Authorships and completion of 2 essays.
Round 2: Video Submission (~1-2 weeks)
- Applicants will submit a 3-minute video of them coaching a variation of an Olympic Lift and a 3-minute video of them coaching a back squat
- Videos will be reviewed/graded by Coaching Advancement & Assistantship Committee Members. Areas of review will be: organization (provide a clear objective, teaching sequence, and time), presence (body language and setting), and Communication (voice, terminology, coaching communication style, and execution)
- Applications that fall below the median video scoring will not move forward to Round 3
Round 3: Interview (~1-2 weeks)
- The final applicants remaining will be scheduled for a 30-minute phone interview.
Round 4: Final Decisions (~1 week)
- The Coaching Advancement & Assistantship Committee Members will determine the final awardees based on applicant interviews.
Career Achievements & Success Stories
Recipients of assistantships have progressed in their careers to secure positions at D1, D2, and D3 universities, professional sports teams, multiple Olympic committees, and other sports organizations. These roles encompass diverse titles such as Director of Athletics, Assistant Director of Athletics, Director of Strength and Conditioning, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Performance, Director of Football Strength and Conditioning, PE Teacher and Strength & Conditioning Coach, Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning for Olympic Sports, Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Assistant Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator/Return to Performance Coordinator.
"The assistantship allowed me to learn, challenge myself, emphasize and embrace my passion, build mental toughness, and gain confidence in myself and my skills. Not only did I grow as a coach, I have been able to grow as a person, and I will continue to grow in my career. "
Haley Marquardt, Oakland A's
"I was given many chances to challenge myself and receive feedback about my performance so that I could make changes to improve. I worked hard to gain trust and opportunity. I am grateful for all that this assistantship has offered me!"
Benito Cecenas, University of Vermont
Assistantship Alumni
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Assistantship Recipients
4/2006-7/2006 Kristi May 1/2012-12/2012 John Mcgee 1/2018-12/2018 Gayfield Tommy 4/2006-12/2006 Eric Rinefierd 6/2012-5/2013 Jeremy Trach 8/2018-12/2018 Cody Stahl 4/2006-12/2006 Brandon Schlotthauer 6/2012-5/2013 Steven Mason 1/2019-5/2019 Benito Cecenas 4/2006-8/2006 John Spurlock 1/2013-12/2013 Ronald Dickson 8/2019-12/2019 Paul Woelmer 8/2006-12/2006 Bethany Gainey 1/2013-12/2013 Katlyn Haycock 8/2019-12/2019 Shannon Smith 7/2006-7/2007 Kimberly Pinske 1/2013-12/2013 Alice Read 1/2020-5/2020 Jenna Werking 1/2007-12/2007 Eric Gibbons 6/2013-5/2014 James Stitz, Jr 1/2020-5/2020 Danielle Sterner 1/2007-3/2007 Suzanne Snyder 6/2013-5/2014 James Walters 1/2020-5/2020 Regina Stump 1/2007-12/2007 James White 1/2014-12/2014 Paul Cipriano 8/2021-12/2021 Kevin Long 8/2007-7/2008 Adam Maronde 1/2014-12/2014 Lexie Dulkis 9/2021-1/2022 Cornel Johnson 8/2007-7/2008 David Kapping 1/2014-12/2014 Trevor Klump 2/2022-6/2022 Amber Rummell 10/2007-3/2008 Harold Rowald 6/2014-5/2015 Dennie Wise IV 8/2022-12/2022 Dieanna Prudholme 2/2008-11/2008 Kaitlin Sweeney 6/2014-5/2015 Bret Miguz 1/2023-5/2023 Philip Bates 04/2008-7/2008 Douglas Briggs 1/2015-12/2015 Benjamin Servais 1/2023-5/2023 Haley Marquardt 8/2008-7/2009 Daniel Rickaby 1/2015-12/2015 Daniel Trautman 1/2024-5/2024 Spencer Manchuck 8/2008-6/2009 Kevin Schultz 1/2015-12/2015 Matthew Murphy 1/2024-5/2024 Garrett Dabney 8/2008-7/2009 Alexander Guice 6/2015-5/2016 Caitlin Prottas-Finn 8/2024-12/2024 Julia Harnish 8/2008-5/2009 Adam Banwarth 6/2015-8/2015 Steven Woodworth 8/2024-12/2024 Brian Milner 1/2010-12/2010 Albert Harrison 10/2015-12/2015 Adam Smith 1/2025-5/2025 Sawyer Sarbacker 1/2010-12/2010 Eric Wiatt 1/2016-12/2016 Ronald Arellano, Jr 1/2025-5/2025 Parker Bohn 1/2010-12/2010 Kevin Wisham 1/2016-12/2016 Paul Moquin 5/2010-4/2011 Angela Dendas 1/2016-12/2016 Kelly Auner 5/2010-4/2011 Ryan Poulin 6/2016-5/2017 James Malechek 1/2011-12/2011 Brian Charity 6/2016-5/2017 Adam Garner 1/2011-12/2011 Lew Porchiazzo 6/2016-1/2017 Aubrey Jean 1/2011-12/2011 Grant Stewart 1/2017-7/2017 Casey Callison 6/2011-5/2011 Benjamin Hoffman 1/2017-9/2017 Jenee Lange 6/2011-5/2011 Grant Geib 6/2017-5/2018 Sabrina Murphy 1/2012-12/2012 Emily Enos 6/2017-5/2018 Donald Trapp 1/2012-12/2012 Jonathan Mangel 6/2017-5/2018 Paula Costa
Coaches, do you want an Assistantship recipient?
We are often asked by Coaches, "How do I get my name on the list to have an Assistantship Recipient at my facility?" Within the application, applicants are provided a link to the NSCA's RSCC webpage where they identify their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice RSCC Coach they would like to work with. It is up to the applicant to decide where they want to be placed, and whom with. We do not place the applicant, the applicant tells us where they want to go. Unfortunately, there is no list to put your facility on to. If you are an RSCC, then you are already on the list that is provided for the applicants to select from. If you have any further questions, please email us at Foundation@nsca.com.
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