2025 NHSSCA Colorado State Clinic

7:00-8:00 am – CHECK-IN/REGISTRATION

8:10-8:20 am – WELCOME
Overview of Day’s Activities & Presentations from Coach Everett Ridderbos, Director of Strength and Conditioning, Holy Family High School

8:25-9:40 am – LECTURE
Smart Programming for Safer, Stronger Athletes: Maximizing Effectiveness in the High School Setting with Coach Sam Melendrez

OVERVIEW: High school strength coaches face a unique challenge—training large groups of athletes with varying skill levels in limited space and equipment while keeping safety and effectiveness at the forefront. How do you design a scalable, results-driven program that works for everyone?

In this must-attend session, Coach Sam Melendrez shares 17 years of proven strategies from Discovery Canyon, where he has successfully built safe, efficient, and high-performing strength programs for entire athletic departments.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to structure training for large, diverse groups without sacrificing individual progress
• Creative programming solutions to maximize limited space and equipment
• Proven safety protocols that minimize injury risk while maximizing strength gains
• Scalable coaching strategies that work for athletes of all skill levels
• How to build a system that keeps athletes engaged, progressing, and performing at their best
• Whether you’re coaching a full athletic department or just looking to enhance your programming, this session will equip you with practical, real-world strategies to run an effective, high-impact strength program—no matter your limitations!

10:05-11:20 am – LECTURE
Give Yourself a $17,000 Raise: Building a Side Gig Without Losing Your Sanity with Ian Smith

OVERVIEW: Struggling to make ends meet as a coach? You’re not alone. The reality is, the average collegiate strength coach earns just $45K per year, while teachers in Colorado make around $60K. With the rising cost of living, many talented coaches are forced to leave the profession due to financial strain. But what if you could stay in the game you love while increasing your income?

In this eye-opening session, Ian Smith will break down a proven framework for building a side gig that fits your lifestyle, aligns with your passion, and actually makes financial sense—without burning you out.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to turn your skills into a profitable side gig without sacrificing your coaching career
• The most effective ways to earn an extra $17,000+ per year without adding stress
• Real-world success stories of coaches who have created sustainable income streams
• How to avoid common pitfalls that make side hustles overwhelming or unsustainable
• A simple framework to get started immediately and make your expertise work for you

If you’re tired of feeling financially stuck and want to take control of your future while staying in the profession you love, this session is for you.

11:25 am-12:10 pm – LUNCH PROVIDED

More Than a Meal, It’s a Networking Opportunity: Lunch at the NHSSCA Clinic is not just about grabbing a plate and catching up with your usual circle. It’s a chance to collaborate, share, and expand your professional network. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just stepping into the field of high school strength and conditioning, this is your moment to connect with coaches who inspire, mentor, and challenge you to grow.

If you leave this clinic without making at least one new connection, you’ve missed an incredible opportunity to grow professionally and personally. The NHSSCA is more than an organization—it’s a #FAMILY, built on shared knowledge, support, and a commitment to making each other better.

So, don’t just eat—engage, listen, and learn. The people sitting around you might change how you approach coaching forever. Let’s make this lunch one to remember! #NHSSCA #FAMILY #CoachingConnections #GrowYourNetwork

12:15-1:30 pm – LECTURE
Unlocking the Power of Olympic Lifts: Options, Optimization & Sport Transference with Karl Barth

OVERVIEW: Olympic lifts are a game-changer in strength and conditioning—but are you maximizing their full potential?

Join Coach Karl Barth as he breaks down how to get the most bang for your buck with Olympic lifting—not just in the weight room, but where it truly matters: on the field, court, and track.

This session will take a deep dive into:

• The real benefits of Olympic lifts and how they directly impact athletic performance
• How to optimize these movements to meet the unique demands of different sports
• Scaffolding strategies that allow safe, progressive development for athletes of all skill levels
• How to increase power, speed, and efficiency while keeping athletes injury-free
• Practical programming tips to integrate Olympic lifts seamlessly into team training

Whether you love them, hate them, or want to refine them, Olympic lifts have a place in your program—but how you teach and apply them makes all the difference.

1:45-3:00 pm – LECTURE
Building a High School High-Performance Model with Coach Wes Kirk

OVERVIEW: What does it take to build a high-performance program from scratch?

In this must-attend session, Coach Wes Kirk pulls back the curtain on how Colorado Academy developed a Sports Performance program from the ground up, transforming it into a comprehensive High-Performance Model that maximizes athlete development, injury prevention, and long-term success.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to start from zero—the key steps in launching a successful high-performance program
• The thought process behind program design—making decisions that align with student-athlete needs
• What resources and strategies were used to build a strong, sustainable model
• How to tailor performance training to fit your school’s unique challenges and opportunities
• Where the program is headed next—and what it takes to complete a fully integrated model

Whether you’re starting a program, refining an existing one, or looking for inspiration, this session will give you the blueprint for success—real-world insights, proven strategies, and actionable takeaways to bring back to your school.

3:15-3:45 pm – ROUNDTABLE

3:45-4:00 pm – CLOSING REMARKS
From Coach Everett Ridderbos