Coach Sowers is back in Akron!

Congratulations and Welcome Home AGSP Founder & Supervisor, Coach Craig Sowers!

Be on the lookout for even more great things happening at Akron General Sports Performance with Coach Sowers being back in Akron! ~ Coach Amanda Kephart

University of Akron Names New Director of Strength and Conditioning for Football

Courtesy: Akron Media Relations
Release: 02/18/2011

Craig Sowers is Akron's new director of strength and conditioning for football.
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Craig Sowers is Akron's new director of strength and conditioning for football.
AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron alumnus and former Zips student-athlete Craig Sowers was named UA's director of strength and conditioning for football on Friday, second-year head coach Rob Ianello announced. Sowers boasts a diverse background in athletic performance and development at both the collegiate level and in the private sector.

"I am thrilled to add Craig to our staff and I know he is excited to return to Northeast Ohio and his alma mater," Ianello said. "He has a unique background in both strength training and speed development which will really benefit the growth of our players."

Since 2008, Sowers has been the assistant head coach for athletic performance at UCLA, where he assisted with training and designed and implemented a speed program for the Bruins' football team. He also had complete oversight of training for the men's volleyball and women's soccer squads.

Prior to relocating to the West Coast, Sowers served as the director of human performance for Akron General Sports Performance in Stow, Ohio, in 2007. During the four previous years, he was the director of performance at Velocity Sports Performance at locations in Mayfield Village, Ohio, and Irvine, Calif. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of speed, power and strength development for athletes at the high school, collegiate and professional level. He served on the Sports Performance Directors Advisory Council during that time and was its chairman in 2006-07.

From 2000-03, Sowers was the head strength and conditioning coach at UTEP. He oversaw all aspects of speed, strength and conditioning for the University's 17 NCAA varsity sports and approximately 350 athletes. The football team was Western Athletic Conference champions in 2000.

From 1996-2000, he was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at UCLA and was in charge of men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's water polo, women's track and field, and men's and women's soccer, and also assisted with football. During his tenure at UCLA, both the men's soccer and women's water polo teams captured a national championship.

From 1993-96, Sowers was a student assistant on Akron's strength and conditioning staff.

Sowers earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education from UA in 1996 and was a member of the Zips' football team. He completed a master's degree in kinesiology from the UTEP in 2008 and is CSCS, SCCC and USAW Level I certified.

Athlete Spotlighting #13) Aaron Fink

Hello Everyone!

Our 13th Athlete Spotlight is one of the best examples of leadership, patience, open-mindedness, and discipline that I can think of. This athlete never gives up on anyone or anything; he will improve his game, he will improve his team, he will help lead his team to their goals. He is also one of the most level-headed athletes I have ever met. He does not shy away from tough situations, but instead embraces them with a clear-mindedness that is far superior to most of his peers. It is time to meet...

Athlete Name: Aaron Fink
Sport(s): Football
Position(s): Offensive Lineman
School: Woodridge High School
Graduation Year: 2011
AGSP Athlete Since: March 2010

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Cleveland Browns
Favorite Professional Athlete: Rob Sims
Favorite Lift: Squats
Favorite Movement Skill: Multi D

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: Lifting at my high school
What are your short-term goals? To get rim
What are your long-term goals? To win a state championship
How has AGSP impacted you performance as an athlete? It has made me a quicker and more explosive athlete

CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF AARON TRAINING AT AGSP!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart

Jan 2011 @ AGSP

Hello Everyone!

Check out a month's work of athlete's improving their speed, strength, and power!



These athletes started the year right, did you?

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart

Athlete Spotlighting #12) Nick Gratto

Hello Everyone!

Our 12th Athlete Spotlight could have easily been our 1st because he has been training with some of AGSP's staff since before he was in high school! Now a senior, this athlete leads by example, effort, and commitment. Focus is never a question. His attention to detail and willingness to help others make him not only a great teammate, but a great role model. It is time for you to meet...

Athlete Name: Nick Gratto
Sport(s): Baseball, Soccer
Position(s): Shortstop/Pitcher, Goal Keeper
School: Kenston High School
Graduation Year: 2011
AGSP Athlete Since: 2007 (at AGSP, with some of the staff before AGSP opened)

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Minnesota Vikings
Favorite Professional Athlete: Gianluigi Buffon

Favorite Lift: Overhead Squats
Favorite Movement Skill: Running with the harness
When I am not training at AGSP, I am: Practicing or doing homework.
What are your short-term goals? To play varsity baseball or soccer at a top-tier academic university
What are your long-term goals? To earn an MBA and pursue a career in business.
How has AGSP impacted you performance as an athlete? I have noticed an incredible improvement in overall athleticism, including increased flexibility, durability and strength, making me stronger and more powerful.

CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF NICK TRAINING AT AGSP!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart

Endurance Running Analysis & Correction Clinic

Hello Everyone!

This Saturday we will be holding our 3rd Endurance Running Analysis & Correction Clinic. We got rave reviews from our earlier clinics, such as:

"Hi Coach Amanda, I LOVED the clinic you put on yesterday, and I really learned a LOT." - Gale C.

"First, thank you for a great session on Saturday. I thought it was extremely informative and a heck of a deal for the cost! It's easy to get into certain habits but this clinic helped me realize that I need to take the time to stretch, strength train, and do things like the foam roller to not just be a better runner but be able to keep running. It was a lot of information but I liked the fact that you kept it pretty simple and focusing on doing what you can. I appreciated all your time and effort you spent with us."
- Jennifer P.

Spots are limited for this small group clinic that includes video analysis and skills each runner can use to help improve their current form.

Endurance Running Analysis & Correction Clinic
Have our Certified Coaches analyze and correct your running
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
Adults that participate in races from 5K to Iron-Mans!.
COMPONENTS
Upon completion of the clinic each participant will have the ability to:
- Understand biomechanically correct running form
- Identify improper running techniques and how to correct them
- Utilize running skills and drills to address and improve technique
- Understand the value of proper strength training and its affect on performance
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Participants will be videotaped at both the beginning and end of the course, this will be reviewed by the coach
- Individual "homework" will be provided to each participant, focusing on his/her specific running mechanics (unlike other running services, you will be empowered with abilities to improve yourself, not dependent on additional services/fees!)
DETAILS
Clinic will last 3 hours
8 participants per clinic
Cost: $30/sports performance members, $40/non-members
10am – 1pm
SESSION DATE
Saturday, January 8
4300 Allen Road, Stow, Oh 44313 (immediate left as you enter)
REGISTRATION
Call the reservation line at: 330-945-3150 to reserve your spot! Limit is 8!

Email questions to:
Amanda Kephart MS, CSCS, USAW Club Coach
Head Sports Performance Coach
Akron General Health and Wellness- North
Email: akephart@agmc.org