This is a story from The Tower – Volume 2, 2024. At 8 a.m. CDT when many members of the Logan University community were just starting their day, Johnathan Ploke, MS (’24) was wrapping his up as a Master of Science in Strength & Conditioning (MS-SC) student in New Zealand. Johnathan’s academic journey began at California State University, Chico, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in kinesiology and human physiology. After graduating he worked as a personal trainer but wanted additional qualifications to advance his career. He discovered Logan’s one-year, 100 percent online MS-SC program. The program appealed to Johnathan because …
Category: Master of Science in Strength & Conditioning
Degrees & Dreams: How Austin Kuennen’s Education Paved His Path to the Pros
Between treating MLB players, running a private practice and working on master’s programs, Austin Kuennen, RDN, MS (’23) has become a pro at time management. Originally from St. Louis, MO, the 2017 graduate from Lindbergh High School enrolled in the University of Arkansas’ exercise science program with plans to work in healthcare. His interest in healthcare developed as a child watching his mom, Laura Kuennen, serve various roles at Logan University. “I love sports and grew up alongside the healthcare industry, so I thought exercise science would be a great middle-ground to prepare me for a career in this field,” …
Jacob Linn Brings Coaching Expertise to Logan’s Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning Program
Jacob Linn, MED, CSCS, PN1 has brought his extensive background in collegiate athletics to Logan University’s Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning (MS-SC) program. He recently joined the program’s faculty teaching the applied lab course that is required for students. This course uses video to evaluate the student skillsets in the program, allowing for feedback. “This course is so great for students in the program because we really get creative in how we teach and assess skills,” Jacob says. “Students are also able to receive personalized feedback and use the video submissions to build their portfolio with best practices …
Eric McMahon Uses Professional Baseball Coaching Experience to Elevate MS-SC Program
Eric McMahon, MEd, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, RSCC*E is the coaching and sport science program manager for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), where he organizes and collaborates with professionals across sports organizations to support education and career advancement opportunities. Before joining the NSCA in 2020, he spent more than a decade working with professional baseball players as a strength and conditioning coach. After earning his bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Lawrence University in New York and his master’s degree in strength and conditioning from Springfield College in Massachusetts, he began his career in the Minor Leagues as a strength …
Logan MS-SC Graduate Helps Athletes Achieve Their Best Sports Performance
**As of August 2024, Sam Roome is now serving as Director of Strength and Conditioning at Emory and Henry University. As a high school athlete, Samuel Roome, CSCS set his sights on playing college football. After a significant injury derailed his initial plans, he decided to take a break before joining the football team at Averett University as a defensive lineman. That experience reignited his love for the game, and he got to see what a strength and conditioning coach does for a team. In 2015, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a concentration in personal …
From College Athlete to NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach: Zane Fakes
A lifelong athlete, Zane Fakes played high school and college football and knows the importance of injury prevention and strength and conditioning in sports. While in high school, he played football in his hometown of Plainfield, Indiana. As an undergraduate student at Ball State University, he majored in exercise science and played as a tight end on the university’s football team. After earning his undergraduate degree, Zane returned to Ball State for his master’s degree in sports administration. During that time he also worked as a graduate assistant in strength and conditioning with the university’s football team. In 2018, Zane …