The High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award is awarded to a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS) who has demonstrated excellence the field of high school strength and conditioning.
Sam Melendrez is in his 13th year as the full-time strength and conditioning coach at Discovery Canyon Campus High School in Colorado Springs, CO where he oversees the training of student-athletes from all sports in strength & conditioning classes during the day and in before and after school programs. Prior to making the decision to work in the high school setting Sam did internships at the Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs and Lake Placid, was an assistant at the United States Air Force Academy and a graduate assistant at the University of New Mexico. Sam truly loves working with his athletes at Discovery Canyon, and sees his role as great opportunity to develop not only better athletes but better people. He and his wife Joni, have been happily married for 13 years and have two sons, Sammy 10 and Zachary 7.
View Press ReleaseCurrent NSCA Member |
Current CSCS Certification |
Not a previous recipient |
Cover letter, Resume or CV |
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 before the required deadline.
2018 - James McFarland Jr, MEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2017 - Ryan Johnson, MEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2016 - Micah Kurtz, MS, CSCS, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2015 - Fred Eaves, MEd, CSCS, RSCC | ![]() |
2014 - Darnell Clark, MPE, CSCS, RSCC*D | ![]() |
2013 - Mike Duehring, MS, CSCS, RSCC,*D, USAW | |
2012 - Gary E. Schofield Jr, CSCS,*D | |
2010 - Scott J. Sahli, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
2009 - Adam Beard, CSCS | |
2008 - Charles R. Wells, MS, CSCS,*D | |
2007 - Kevin Vanderbush, MS, CSCS | |
2006 - Ian Jeffreys, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT | |
2005 - Patrick McHenry, MA, CSCS,*D, RSCC | |
2004 - Bruce Harbach, CSCS,*D | |
2003 - Larry Meadors, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D | |
2002 - Rosalin Hanna, CSCS,*D | |
2001 - Stephen Nunnink | |
2000 - Patrick Mediate | |
1999 - Bud Bjornaraa | |
1998 - Robbie Robinson | |
1997 - Ron Thomson | |
1996 - Mike Nitka | |
1995 - Steve Kenyon | |
1994 - Edwin Jones | |
1993 - Dan Burk | |
1992 - Mike Burgener | |
1991 - John Waters |
Objectives:
Revise points structure and to funnel top three point receiving candidates for vote by the Coaching (RSCC) Taskforce and HS SIG Leadership, overseen annually by the Coaching Program Manager.
Procedure:
Selection Process