The Boyd Epley Award for Lifetime Achievement

The Boyd Epley Award, the highest NSCA honor, recognizes individuals who exhibit historical impact, achievements, and dedication to the NSCA over the course of their career.

The Award's Namesake

Boyd Epley, veteran strength and conditioning coach, etched his name in the annals of the profession, not just for his pioneering efforts in dispelling the myth of muscle binding and promoting weight training, but also through his influence in founding the NSCA to help educate and shape the industry.

Awardee Selection

The Boyd Epley Award recognizes a liftetime of contributions to both the NSCA and the field of strength and conditioning. Prospective Awardees must first meet the minimum requirements. Nominees are then selected based on a point system covering multiple categories including:

    • Involvement with the NSCA at a governance level
      Publication in an NSCA Journal
    • Education and NSCA Certifications held
    • Presentations at NSCA Conferences or Clinics
    • Additional volunteer service to the NSCA 

The Board of Directors carefully deliberates to select the recipient of the Boyd Epley Award, as it is the most prestigious award a member of the NSCA can receive.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Candidates are nominated by a past president or the current member of the NSCA Board of Directors
Candidates must have a minimum of 25 years of NSCA membership
Candidates are at least 60 years of age

All nominees must submit a criteria sheet (PDF download), current resume/CV, and supporting documentation to nominations@nsca.com

Congratulations to Our 2024 Winner

Ken Kontor

For the past 27 years, Ken Kontor was the Founder and President of Performance Conditioning Inc. (PCI) before his retirement ended the company's operations in 2023. PCI published sports-specific newsletters, books, videos, and other training resources in conjunction with the National Governing Bodies (NGB) and various coaching associations for volleyball, soccer, cycling, softball, baseball, triathlon, and roller sports. Prior to establishing PCI, Mr. Kontor collaborated with Boyd Epley and the strength and conditioning staff at the University of Nebraska to create the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He served with the Association for its first 14 years, first as a Publications Editor and Assistant Executive Director before becoming Executive Director. During his tenure, he grew the NSCA from less than 50 members to over 10,000 under the mission to bridge the gap between sport scientists and strength and conditioning coaches. He traveled extensively to study conditioning methods in the former Soviet Union, Bulgaria, the former East Germany, Hungary, Japan, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand — establishing NSCA sister associations in Australia and Japan. He also served on the committee to create the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certification. In cooperation with the Special Olympics, Mr. Kontor launched Lift America, introducing powerlifting to Special Olympic athletes and raising over $150,000 under Chairman Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. Kontor was a competitive super heavyweight weightlifter and powerlifter, winning Nebraska state powerlifting championships from 1968 to 1972 and Olympic weightlifting championships from 1968 to 1977. In 1971, he was named AAU Midwest Weightlifter of the Year. Mr. Kontor taught weight training at the University of Nebraska from 1969 to 1970. He achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at the University of Nebraska and completed Master’s coursework in exercise physiology, kinesiology, anatomy, and test and measurements.

Download the Press Release

PAST BOYD EPLEY AWARD RECIPIENTS

2023 - Ashley Jones, MSc, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E 2023 Lifetime.jpg
2022 - Michael J. Nitka, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E, FNSCA*E LZ8A8983-Mike-Nitka-Boyd-Epley-Award-web (002).jpg
2021 - Bill Allerheiligen, MS, FNSCA  Triplett, Allerheiligen, And Epley Lifetime Achievement Award
2020 - Terry J. Housh, PhD, FNSCA  Triplett, Housh, And Epley Lifetime Achievement Award
2019 - T. Jeff Chandler, EdD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, FNSCA Boyd, Chandler, Triplett 
2018 - Andrew C. Fry, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA  Haff, Fry, Epley
2017 - Avery Faigenbaum, EdD, CSCS, CSPS, FNSCA  Haff, Faigenbaum, Epley
2015 - Gerard Martin, MA, CSCS, RSCC*E  Epley, Martin, Fleck
2014 - Lee Brown, EdD, CSCS,*D, FACSM, FNSCA  Housh, Fleck, Brown, Epley
2013 - Gene Coleman, EdD, CSCS, RSCC,*E  
2012 - Al Vermeil, CSCS, RSCC*E  
2011- Everett Harman, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT  
2010 - Steve Bliss, MEd, CSCS, RSCC*E, FNSCA  
2009 - Meg Ritchie-Stone, MS, FNSCA  
2008 - Bruno Pauletto, MS, CSCS, FNSCA  
2007 - Gary A. Dudley, PhD, CSCS  
2005 - Steven J. Fleck, PhD, CSCS, FNSCA  
2004 - John Garhammer, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, FNSCA  
2000 - Mike Stone, PhD, CSCS, FNSCA  
1998 - Tom Baechle, EdD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D  
1996 - Dan Wathen, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D, FNSCA  
1994 - William J. Kraemer, PhD, CSCS, FNSCA  
1993 - Boyd Epley, MEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E, FNSCA  
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