
State Clinic PRESENTERS

Tommy Christian
BSME, CFSC
Owner & Founder
TCBOOST Sports Performance

Kevin Vanderbush
CSCS, HSSCC
Former Head Strength Coach
Ben Davis High School - Retired

Mike Gattone
MS, USAW Senior International Coach
Senior Director of Sports Performance
USA Weightlifting

Ashley Avila
Co-Presenting with Coach Gattone
USAW Level 2
Associate Coach
Forza Weightlifting Club

Tyler Jorgensen
MS, SCCC
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Glenbrook South High School District 225
State Clinic SCHEDULE
8:00-12:00 pm – CHECK-IN/REGISTRATION
8:30-8:45 am – WELCOME
Overview of Day’s Activities & Presentations from Coach John Beerbower, Director of Strength & Conditioning, Assistant Divisional Chair, McHenry High School District 156
9:00-10:15 am – LECTURE
Coaching the SKILL of Speed & Movement in a Team Setting by Tommy Christian
OVERVIEW: Unlock the secrets to coaching speed and movement effectively in a team environment. This dynamic presentation and hands-on session will provide you with practical strategies to take your athletes’ performance to the next level.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Actionable Techniques: Learn proven methods for planning and coaching speed development tailored for team settings.
- Skill-Driven Approach: Understand how to break down the SKILL of speed into teachable, repeatable movements that athletes can master.
- Interactive Learning: Participate in a hands-on session to see these concepts in action and gain insights you can apply immediately.
Whether you’re coaching track athletes, football players, or any team sport, this session will equip you with tools to build faster, more explosive athletes.
10:30-11:45 am – LECTURE
Coaching Beyond the Scheme: 40 Years of Insights and Strategies by Kevin Vanderbush
OVERVIEW:
Coaching is about so much more than X’s and O’s—it’s about inspiring, leading, and building lasting relationships. With 40 years of experience, this presentation takes you beyond the playbook and into the heart of what truly drives success.
What you’ll gain:
- Motivation and Leadership: Discover methods to inspire athletes and lead with purpose.
- Psychology and Discipline: Learn how to understand your athletes and create a culture of accountability.
- Standards and Relationships: Build a foundation of trust and set standards that elevate your team.
This session dives deep into the core principles of coaching, offering practical tools and timeless lessons that go far beyond any scheme.
11:50-12:45 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
12:45-2:00 pm – LECTURE
Weightlifting Variations for Sports Development: What, Why, and How by Mike Gattone
OVERVIEW: Unlock the power of weightlifting variations to enhance athletic performance. This engaging session combines lecture and live demonstration to give you a complete understanding of the what, why, and how behind these techniques.
What you’ll learn:
- The Science of Weightlifting: Explore cutting-edge biomechanical insights from the US Weightlifting National Team and why certain variations are essential for sports development.
- Seasonal Application: Learn when and how to incorporate different weightlifting variations based on the time of year and athlete readiness.
- Practical Teaching Techniques: Get hands-on tips for effectively teaching weightlifting variations to athletes of all levels.
Whether you’re a coach or an athlete, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to maximize strength, power, and performance.
2:15-3:00 pm – LECTURE
Developing the High School Athlete for Collegiate Sports by Tyler Jorgensen
OVERVIEW: Prepare your athletes to thrive at the next level! Drawing on 18 years of collegiate strength and conditioning experience, this presentation focuses on the common deficiencies seen in incoming first-year college athletes and how to address them effectively.
What you’ll learn:
- Strength, Conditioning, and Mobility: Identify and close key performance gaps before athletes reach college.
- Mental Preparedness: Equip athletes with the resilience and mindset needed to succeed in high-pressure environments.
- Practical Assessments: Gain techniques for evaluating athletes and tailoring sport-specific development plans.
- Collegiate Readiness: Implement proven training strategies that bridge the gap between high school and collegiate sports.
This session is a must for coaches looking to elevate their athletes’ performance and set them up for success at the next level.
3:00-3:30 pm – ROUNDTABLE
3:30-3:45 pm – CLOSING REMARKS
Coach John Beerbower
Hotel Accomodations
Hilton Inn Chicago North – Evanston – An IHC Hotel
1501 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL. Â 60201
1-847-491-6400
Directions
(only 1.9 mile from NU Walter Center): Â 9 min drive
Reservations
10 rooms are reserved for now and more can be reserved if needed. Special rates are available for check-in 3-13-2025 with check-out 3-14-2025

Who's coming?
50 people are attending 2025 NHSSCA Illinois State Clinic





