SCJ Editorial Excellence Award
The Strength and Conditioning Journal (SCJ) Editorial Excellence Award is presented to an individual in recognition of their exemplary service to the review and editorial process of the SCJ.
How Awardees are Selected for the SCJ Editorial Excellence Award
The Editor-In-Chief selects the recipient(s) of the SCJ Editorial Excellence Award annually in April-May from members of the SCJ Editorial Board based on their overall contribution to the review and editorial process over the past year. Recipients may only be awarded this award once.
Awardee Notification
1. The SCJ Editor-In-Chief will notify NSCA Headquarters and the Awards and Honors Committee Chair of the selected recipient.
2. The Awards and Honors Committee Chair will notify the NSCA Board of Directors of the recipient.
3. The NSCA Headquarters will notify the recipient of the award, send regret notifications, create a Press Release announcement of the winner, and verify attendance at the National Conference awards banquet.
If there are no qualifying nominees, the award will not be given.
Award Timeline
February – SCJ Editor-In-Chief decides the winner and will submit the winners name to the National Office.
March – Notifications to nominees will be sent by the National Office and press announcements will be coordinated.
July – Award conferred at the National Conference Awards Banquet.
SCJ Editorial Excellence Award Recipients
Congratulations 2026 SCJ Editorial Excellence Award Winner
John F. Holland, MS, CPSS, CSCS, ACSM-CEP
John F. Holland is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in Cardiology Diagnostics, working in outpatient and hospital-based settings. His work integrates clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, and data-informed decision-making to support safe, effective outcomes in patient and performance contexts. Holland serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the NSCA, a reviewer for the SCJ, and contributes to accreditation and education through the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE). He also teaches as an Adjunct Instructor at Maryville University.
2025 Winner
Marc Apkarian, PhD, CSCS
2024 Winner
Tessa Koschel, PhD, CSCS
2023 Winner
Capt. Jeremy G. Carter, CSCS
2022 - Tom Cormier, MS, CSCS,*D, CSPS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D
2021 - Whitney D. Leyva-Camberos, MS, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, RSCC
2020 - Paul Salamh, PhD, DPT, PT
2019 - Paul Comfort, PhD, CSCS,*D
2018 - Chris Bishop, MSc
2017 - Edward McNeely, MS, CSCS
2016 - Melissa Aversa, DPT, OCS, CSCS
2015 - Stephanie M. Svoboda, DPT, MS, CSCS, USAW
2014 - Patrick Pabian
2013 - Dr. Scott Cheatham, DPT
2012 - Daniel Lorenz, DPT, CSCS
2011 - William J. Hanney IV, DPT, CSCS
2010 - Kelly Brooks, PhD, CSCS
2009 - Morey J. Kolber, PT, PhD, CSCS
2008 - Mark Kovacs, PhD, CSCS
2007 - David J. Szymanski, PhD, CSCS,*D
2006 - Patrick McHenry, MA, CSCS,*D
2005 - Loren Chiu, CSCS
2004 - Brian Findley, CSCS,*D
2003 - Avery Faigenbaum, EdD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA
2002 - Michael Stone, PhD
2001 - Allen R. Hedrick
2000 - John F. Graham
1999 - Steven S. Plisk, MS, CSCS
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