NHSSCA PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE
The National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA) is dedicated to recognizing High School Strength & Conditioning programs that exemplify the highest levels of professionalism through its Program of Excellence. This initiative is considered the “Gold Standard” in high school strength and conditioning assessments, utilizing a comprehensive rubric, requiring certification from school administrators, and incorporating a video submission component.
Submit your nominations by clicking and filling out the form below:
Nominations are reserved for Professional Members ONLY. To access the nomination form and submit your nomination, please LOGIN HERE
Evaluation Criteria: The Program of Excellence assesses programs across six key areas:
Safety | Efficacy | Continuing Education |
Quality | Outreach/Highlight | Technology
The Process
The NHSSCA Program of Excellence cultivates an evaluation system for excellence in today’s high school strength and conditioning.
- Candidates must be current NHSSCA Professional Members.
- Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years serving as a full-time faculty member in the role of strength and conditioning coach (private or public high school).
- Submit your nominations by clicking and filling out the form below:
Nominations are reserved for Professional Members ONLY. To access the nomination form and submit your nomination, please LOGIN HERE
– To earn the distinction “Program of Excellence” a school would have to score a minimum 85 points out of 100  using the scoring rubrics below:Â
Nominations are reserved for Professional Members ONLY. To access the nomination form and submit your nomination, please LOGIN HERE
– The schools Athletic Director and Principle has to sign-off on all sections filled-out by their coaching staff.
- The nomination period is February 1 – April 1.
- Once application is submitted, the NHSSCA Educational Committee will review and verify the application.
- The program is good for 3 years and will begin with recognition at the first years National Conference.
- The NHSSCA is developing partnerships with college programs that incorporate the High School Strength Coach Certification (HSSCC) into their curriculum. This collaboration aims to offer internship opportunities in the field of strength and conditioning, providing valuable hands-on experience for aspiring professionals.
– Please forward questions and submission of materials to Micah Kurtz at NHSSCAProgramExcellence@gmail.com
2023-2026 Program of Excellence Schools
Congratulations to the following coaches and schools who demonstrate their commitment to excellence and helping push the profession of high school strength and conditioning program forward.
Heritage Hills (IN)Â & Coach Adam Zollman
Abingdon HS (VA) & Coach Chase Nunley
Eastland CUSD (IL) & Coach Chris Dertz
Collegiate School (VA) & Coach Chris Peoples & Justin Brown
Foundation Academy (FL) & Coaches Christie Thompson
Christian Brothers HS (TN) & Coach Cody Coley
Vincent Martins — Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, FL
Austin Helus — Parklane Academy, MS
Nicholas Crouse — Platteview High School, NE
Taylor Moon — Minnetonka Public School, MN
Zack Heitz, Brad Winterland — Dixon HS, IL
Kyle Speer — Mountain Brook HS, AL
Lincoln High School (WI) & Coach Michael Longmeyer
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (OH) & Coach Nick Cook & Olivia Carder
Father Ryan High School (TN) & Coach Kyle Feldman
Concord High School (IN) & Coach Scott Pherson
Wesleyan School (GA) & Coach Dustin Wolf
Syosset HS (NY) & Coach Chris Gagstetter
Reed High School (NV) & Coach Chris Doukakis
John Girton — Lakeshore High School, MI
Connor Myers, Taylor Solomon — Bixby High School, OK
Amber Burson — Lexington HS, NE
Miguel Wickert — Rejoice Christian School, OK
Austin Helus — Parklane Academy, MS
Raytown South HS (MO) & Coaches Monte Yancy, William Harris, Dan Porter & Kim Kirk
Redmond High School (OR) & Coach Brent Wasche
Hood River Valley HS (OR) & Coach Jeremy Dyai
Berrien Springs HS & Coach Bob Taylor
Mallard Creek HS (NC) & Coach William Fly
Boyd Buchanan School (TN) & Coach J.T. Rankin
Justin Loudon — Ezell-Harding Christian School, TN
Nick Micetich — Minooka Community HS, IL
Kade McGee — American Christian Academy, AL
Travis Webb — Marvin Ridge High, NC
Nick Ficker — Ashville Christian Academy, NC
Plainfield Was HS (IL) & Coach Luke Collins
Cannon School (NC) & Coaches Travis Webb & Shawn Powell
Homewood Flossmoor HS (IL) & Coach Adam Vogel
Dassel-Cokato HS (MN) & Coaches Amanda Berg
Whiteland Community High School (IN) & Coach Michael Cabello
Ardrey Kell HS (NC) & Coach Kyle Jacksic
Travis Lombardozzi — Brunswick High School, OH
Rebecca Nette, Derek Nette — Chippewa Falls USD, WI
Michaela Bubak — Casteel High School, AZ
Sam McGriff — Pembroke Hill, MO
Alex Greenway — Tracy Area High School, MN
2022-2025 Program of Excellence Schools
Congratulations to the following coaches and schools who demonstrate their commitment to excellence and helping push the profession of high school strength and conditioning program forward.
Penn High School (IN)Â & Coach Matt Cates
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (GA) & Coach Peter Tongren
Speedway High School (IN) & Coach Brady Nyland
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (NJ) & Coach Robert Orrok
Strong Rock Christian School (GA) & Coaches Tobias Jacobi and Emily Mayer
York Comprehensive High School (SC) & Coach Mark Hoover
Vista Ridge High School (CO) & Coach Justin Loudon
Crossville High School (AL) & Coach Riley Edwards
Bettendorf High School (IA) & Coach Matthew Seabold
Greencastle High School (IN) & Coaches Andrew Tirotta, AJ Short, and Curtis Henry
Saint Ignatius High School (OH) & Coach Anthony Rubino
Windermere Prep School (FL) & Coach Micah Kurtz
Naperville North High School (IL) & Coaches Kevin Benages and John Majchrowski
Concord High School (IN) & Coach Scott Pherson
Queensbury High School (NY) & Coach John Martin
Brookings High School (SD) & Coach Kerry Brown
Severance High School (CO) & Grant Stewart
La Porte ISD (TX) & Coaches Anne Alexander & Travis Janeway
McHenry District 156 (IL) & Coach John Beerbower
Southside Charter High School (AR) & Coach Deerick Smith
Battle Ground Academy (TN) & Coach Paul Tusch
Sparta High School (MI) & Coach Michael Graham
Jesuit High School (CA) & Coach Jay Nacionales
Columbus Academy & Coach Shelby Reichle
Park Tudor School (IN) & Coach Brian Clarke
Shaker High School (NY) & Coach Zaquan Irby
Two Rivers School District (WI) & Coach Mike Deroehn
Pine Crest School (FL) & Coach Tim Hibbs
Perry High School (OH) & Mike Crissinger
Dobyns-Bennett High School (TN) & Coach Zack Fleming
Spartanburg High School (SC) & Coach Andrew Caldwell
Pope High School (GA) & Coach Jared Johnson
Ensworth School (TN) & Bryan Van Vleet and Staff
The King’s Academy (FL) & Coaches Jeremy Evans & Taylor Smith
Inspiration Academy (FL) & Coach Brian Commerford
Thunder Ridge High School (CO) & Coach Mark Carnes
Friendswood ISD (TX) & Coach Joseph Taylor
Southwest Florida Christian Academy (FL) & Coach Ross Garner
William Penn Charter School (PA) & Coach John Estok
Byron Center High School (MI) & Coach Joe Chiaramonte
