College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award
The College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award is given to an outstanding Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS) to recognize their dedication to improving athletic performance with safe and effective science-based programs.
Congratulations to our 2024 winner!
Brijesh Patel, MA, CSCS, RSCC*E
Brijesh Patel joined Quinnipiac University in August 2008 as the Athletic Department's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Patel previously held the title of Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was a Graduate Assistant at the University of Connecticut. Coach Patel earned both his Bachelor’s in Finance Management and Master’s in Kinesiology and Sport Management from the University of Connecticut. While Patel primarily works with the men’s and women’s basketball and ice hockey teams at Quinnipiac, he also oversees the strength and conditioning development for all 21 varsity sports. Patel is also an author and speaker on programming and nutrition. Currently, Patel and his wife Anna reside with their children Talin and Maya in Hamden, Connecticut.
Read the Press Release
Award Eligibility
| Current NSCA Member |
| NSCA Membership - Minimum 2 years* |
| NSCA CSCS Certification |
| Head College Strength and Conditioning Coach – DI, II, III, NAIA |
| Three years as a Head College Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| Not a previous recipient |
*Consecutive membership is counted back from the date the award is to be conferred.
Additional requirements listed in the General Awards Criteria, include but not limited to, the nominee must be nominated by a member in good standing and nominees will be sent a criteria sheet to fill out that must be returned with cover letter and CV/resume before the required deadline.
Past Award Recipients Include:
| 2023 - Dan Wirth, MA, CSCS | |
| 2022 - Liane Blyn, MS, CSCS, RSCC*E | |
| 2021 - Brian Thompson, PhD, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E | |
| 2019 - Robert H. Jones, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E |  |
| 2018 - Matthew Nein, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D |  |
| 2017 - Jeff Connors, CSCS, RSCC*E |  |
| 2016 - Ron McKeefery, MA, CSCS, *D, RSCC |  |
| 2015 - Douglas Smith, MS, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT, USAW, RSCC*E, Juniata College | 1994 - Tom Cross, University of Oklahoma |
| 2014 - Shannon Turley, CSCS, RSCC, Stanford University | 1993 - Michael J. Clark, Texas A&M University |
| 2013 - Andrea Hudy, CSCS, RSCC*D, University of Kansas | 1992 - Rick Huegli, Jr, MEd, CSCS, University of Washington |
| 2012 - Michael W. Favre, MEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D, University of Michigan | 1991 - Steve Bliss, MEd, CSCS, RSCC, North Dakota State University |
| 2010 - Jonathan Jost, CSCS, RSCC*E, Florida State University | 1990 - John Garhammer, PhD, CSCS, NSCA- CPT, FNSCA, California State University at Long Beach |
| 2009 - Jeff Reinardy, CSCS, Winona State University | 1989 - Dan Wathen, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D, FNSCA Youngstown State University |
| 2008 - Sara L. Wiley, MS, CSCS, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities | 1988 - Bill Allerheiligen, MS, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D, FNSCA University of Wyoming |
| 2007 - Michael Rankin, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, Drexel University | 1987 - Doug Semenick, University of Louisville |
| 2006 - Robert dos Remedios, MA, CSCS, College of the Canyons | 1986 - Bruno Pauletto, CSCS, FNSCA, University of Tennessee |
| 2005 - Michael Doscher, CSCS, Valdosta State University | 1985 - John Gamble, University of Virginia |
| 2004 - Gerard J. Martin, CSCS,*D, University of Connecticut | 1984 - Thomas Baechle, EdD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D, Creighton University |
| 2003 - Allen Hedrick, CSCS, Air Force Academy | 1983 - Bill Dunn, University of Virginia |
| 2002 - Joseph Kenn, CSCS,*D, Arizona State University | 1982 - George Dostal, Clemson University |
| 2001 - John Taylor, CSCS,*D, New Mexico State University | 1981 - Keith Kephart, University of Kansas |
| 2000 - Roger Marandino, CSCS, Brown University | 1980 - Boyd Epley, MEd, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, RSCC*E, University of Nebraska |
| 1999 - Jim Kramer, University of Northern Iowa | |
| 1998 - Tony Decker, University of Delaware | |
| 1997 - Dwight Daub, University of Utah | |
| 1995 - Steven Scott Plisk, James Madison University |
How is the recipient selected?
Procedure:
1. The NSCA will market and solicit nominees from NSCA membership.
2. Additional award nominees may be recommended by the NSCA Coaching Program Manager based on recommendations by SPD, SIG, and other NSCA Volunteer Program Leaders.
3. Nominees must meet the General Award Criteria requirements.
4. Nominees must meet the Eligibility Requirements stated in the Criteria Sheet of the award to be considered.
5. The nominee shall provide the completed criteria sheet, cover letter, resume or CV, and supporting documentation of involvement, activities and awards to the NSCA National Headquarters by the requested deadline.
Selection Process:
1. The process for selection shall be as follows:
a. Nominations must be received before the established deadline.
b. NSCA Headquarters will verify eligibility requirements and overall points for nominees have been met.
c. Qualified nominees will be notified.
i. If there are no qualifying nominees, the award will not be given.
d. Top three nominees based on points for each award will be sent to the Coaching (RSCC) Task Force.
e. The Coaching (RSCC) Task Force will vote for the winner.
2. The Coaching (RSCC) Task Force:
a. The Task Force will be volunteers selected yearly by the Coaching Program Manager.
b. It will be apparent that the Task Force is impartial to the nominees.
c. The Task Force will be comprised of >50% non-coaching award recipients and <50% past coaching award recipients.
d. For the HS Coach of the Year Award voting, members of the HS SIG Executive Council will be included in the Task Force.
e. The Coaching Program Manager will certify that the policies and procedures for the nomination and awarding process were followed as outlined herein.
f. The Coaching Program Manager will submit the winners’ names to the Awards and Honors Committee Chair for review and approval.
3. The Awards and Honors Committee Chair will
a. Notify the Board of Directors of the recipient.
4. The NSCA Headquarters will:
a. Notify the recipients of the award.
b. Send regret notifications.
c. Create a Press Release and online announcement of the winners.
d. Will verify attendance at the Coaches Conference Opening Ceremony or the National Conference Awards Banquet.
