Boyd Epley Award for NSCA Lifetime Contributions

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.