University of Tennessee Athletics
Szerszen Named Master Strength Coach
May 19, 2015 | Football
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Michael Szerszen, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Tennessee, was named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) on May 7.
This honor is the highest given in the strength and conditioning coaching profession, and the ceremony is undoubtedly the highlight of the association's National Conference each year. Master Strength and Conditioning Coach Dave Lawson from the University of Tennessee presented Szerszen with the blue MSCC Jacket, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
"This is an incredible honor for Mike," says CSCCa Executive Director, Dr. Chuck Stiggins. "Being named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach signifies a commitment to the student athlete, the University of Tennessee Athletic Program, and the strength and conditioning profession. We are honored to have Coach Szerszen as a member of our association and to have him join the ranks of the Master Strength and Conditioning Coaches. He is truly a model of an outstanding strength and conditioning professional."
Lawson has high praise for Szerszen.
"Michael is very deserving of this great coaching award," said Lawson. "He is one of the best strength coaches in the country and I am humbled to have him as a good friend and co-worker. We have worked together for over 15 years and no one brings more to helping our student-athletes succeed at the University of Tennessee than Coach Szerszen. He brings honor, dignity and credibility to this profession because of his class, consistent hard work and ability to motivate student athletes to push to a higher level than they thought they were able to achieve."
In order to receive this certification and corresponding title of distinction, an individual must first meet the following criteria:
1) Hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree;
2) Be a currently practicing, full-time strength & conditioning coach on the collegiate or professional level;
3) Hold current membership in the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches association (CSCCa);
4) Hold the CSCCa Certification - SCCC (Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified); and
5) Have a minimum of 12 years experience as a full-time strength and conditioning coach on the collegiate and/or professional level.
CSCCa
Twenty-one collegiate strength & conditioning coaches will receive the prestigious certification of Master Strength & Conditioning Coach at the 2015 MSCC Ceremony: Michael Szerszen (University of Tennessee); Raimond Braithwaite (University of Iowa); Brian Scott Austin (Jacksonville State University); Nathan Baukol (University of North Dakota); Mark Campbell (University of Florida); John Dettmann (University of Wisconsin); Zachary Duval (University of Wyoming); Darryn Fiske (St. Bonaventure University); Ben Herbert (University of Arkansas); Robert Dale Jones (Texas A&M University); Bryan Karkoska (Auburn University); Tim Kontos (Virginia Commonwealth University); David Lang (Washington State University); Jim Lathrop (Illinois State University); Cori Metzgar (Western Oregon University); Jason Pullara (Northwestern University); Lance Sewell (University of Texas); Chris Stewart (University of Richmond); Ron Thomson (New Mexico Highlands University); Jason Veltkamp (North Carolina State University); and Nick Zostautas (University of Illinois-Chicago). These twenty-one coaches will join the existing 139 Master Strength & Conditioning Coaches, bringing the total number of MSCC's to 160.
