2025 NHSSCA New Jersey State Clinic

8:15-8:55 am – CHECK-IN/REGISTRATION

9:00-9:10 am – WELCOME
Overview of Day’s Activities & Presentations from Coach Zach Even – Esh

9:15-10:00 am – LECTURE
Creating a School-Wide Strength & Conditioning Program with Coach Joe DiPietro

OVERVIEW: Discover how Southern Regional High School became a powerhouse in NJ athletics, thanks to a year-round strength and conditioning program integrated into Physical Education. Join Coach Joe DiPietro as he takes you behind the scenes of building this comprehensive program that empowers athletes in grades 9-12 to thrive physically and mentally across all sports.

What You’ll Learn:

• The journey: How Southern Regional’s program was built from the ground up, including challenges faced and solutions found.
• Practical strategies: Proven methods to implement a school-wide program during PE that benefits every athlete, regardless of sport.
• Holistic preparation: Explore how physical and mental readiness is developed year-round, giving athletes a competitive edge.

If you’re looking to elevate your school’s athletic success and create a legacy of excellence, this session is a must-attend. Don’t miss the chance to learn actionable steps to transform your PE program into a foundation for greatness!

10:15-11:05 am – LECTURE
Empower Her Game: Training the Female Athlete with Coach Alex Pleasic

OVERVIEW: Unlock the secrets to building strong, confident, and resilient female athletes in this inspiring session led by Coach Alex Pleasic. Drawing from her own journey—from youth sports to 5 years of D1 softball—and her expertise at Varsity House Gym, where hundreds of female athletes are trained annually, Coach Pleasic will deliver game-changing insights for coaches and trainers.

What You’ll Gain:

• Understanding Female Athletes: Learn the unique physical and psychological needs of female athletes and how to address them effectively.
• Proven Training Methods: Explore the strategies and models used at Varsity House Gym to develop well-rounded female athletes who excel in their sport.
• Empowerment Through Sport: Discover how to foster confidence, resilience, and strength both on and off the field.

Whether you’re coaching youth, high school, or elite-level athletes, this presentation offers actionable techniques to elevate their performance and inspire greatness. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform the way you train female athletes and make a lasting impact!

11:15 am-12:00 pm – LECTURE
Dominate the Gridiron: High School Football Strength & Conditioning with Coach Will Nahan

OVERVIEW: Get ready to revolutionize your football program with game-changing insights from Coach Will Nahan, a seasoned Football and Strength Coach with over 12 years of experience at two successful high schools. In this dynamic presentation, Coach Nahan will pull back the curtain on the strategies and systems that drive high-performing football teams.

What You’ll Gain:

• From Off-Season to Game Day: Learn how to optimize training year-round to keep athletes strong, fast, and injury-free.
• Building a Winning Culture: Discover proven methods to instill discipline, teamwork, and a relentless drive for excellence in your team.
• Program Design Mastery: Take away practical strategies for organizing and training large groups of athletes with varying skill levels.
• Communication Hacks: Learn how to connect with athletes, assistant coaches, and administrators to foster a unified program.

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, this presentation will arm you with the tools to transform your team’s strength, conditioning, and mindset into a championship-caliber program. If you’re serious about football, you don’t want to miss this session!

12:00-1:00 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

1:00-2:00 pm – DUAL LECTURE
Transforming NJ High School Strength & Conditioning: State of the Union with Coach Paul Kolody & Zach Even-Esh

OVERVIEW: Are you ready to revolutionize the future of strength and conditioning in New Jersey schools? Join industry leaders Coach Paul Kolody and Zach Even-Esh as they deliver a powerful and eye-opening presentation on the state of high school strength and conditioning in NJ—and how it compares to the progress being made in other states.

What You’ll Gain:

• Nationwide Insights: Discover what other states are doing to integrate strength and conditioning programs into their schools and the proven systems driving their success.
• NJ’s Status Quo: Get an honest assessment of where New Jersey currently stands and the challenges we face in catching up.
• Strategies for Change: Learn actionable steps to advocate for the hiring of full-time, qualified, and experienced strength coaches in New Jersey schools.
• Blueprint for Progress: Explore a clear roadmap for creating meaningful change, ensuring NJ athletes receive the best training, injury prevention, and performance optimization.

This is more than just a discussion—it’s a call to action for coaches, educators, and advocates who want to elevate NJ’s approach to high school strength and conditioning. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the movement that will shape the future of athletics in our state! Be the change NJ athletes need—join us!

2:00-2:50 pm – DUAL LECTURE
Make Strong Transitions: Bridging Youth Athletes to High School Strength & Conditioning
With Coach Mike Skomba & Coach Matthew Andzel

OVERVIEW: Too often, high school athletes only start mastering proper training techniques just as they’re about to graduate. What if you could build a foundation earlier and set them up for long-term success?

In this game-changing session, Coach Mike Skomba and Coach Matthew Andzel will share battle-tested strategies for creating a seamless youth-to-high-school strength & conditioning transition—giving your athletes the edge before they even step into high school.

What You’ll Gain:

• Proven models for Middle-to-High School transition programs
• Insider tips on building partnerships with middle school administrators & youth coaches
• How to secure funding through grant writing to enhance your program
• Leadership development strategies to prepare young athletes for the demands of high school training
• Insights on moving programs to private settings for greater impact

Whether you’re looking to refine your current youth program or start from scratch, this session will equip you with practical solutions to ensure your athletes arrive stronger, smarter, and more prepared for the next level.

2:50-3:00 pm – CLOSING REMARKS
Coach Zach Even – Esh