Why did you choose UE for your degree?

I chose the University of Evansville because I wanted to attend a well-respected Exercise Science program where I could build meaningful relationships with my professors and receive a more personalized education. I was also apart of UE’s swim team , which made the experience even more valuable.

Describe your career path from graduation to your current position.

After graduating from UE, I was accepted into the University of Florida’s online Master’s program in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. While pursuing my master’s degree, I moved to Arizona for a strength and conditioning internship with the Cleveland Guardians at their Spring Training complex.

Following my internship, I was offered a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach position with the St. Louis Cardinals, where I spent two years developing my skills in professional baseball.

After my time with St. Louis, I wanted to challenge myself by gaining experience in the collegiate setting. That transition proved more difficult than I anticipated. Despite my professional baseball experience, I spent nearly five months searching for a position because I lacked traditional collegiate experience.

Eventually, I was given an opportunity at Queens University of Charlotte, where I spent a year working with baseball, men’s and women’s soccer, and tennis. That experience helped me grow tremendously as a coach and exposed me to different athletes, training environments, and coaching philosophies.

After a year at Queens, I decided that I wanted to return to professional baseball and accepted a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach position with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Now, as I finish my second year with the organization, I have never been more grateful for the challenges and opportunities that led me here. The Rays have an incredible staff and group of players, and I feel fortunate to work alongside people who continuously challenge me to become a better coach. Looking back, every transition, rejection, and unexpected opportunity played a role in getting me to where I am today.

What are you passionate about in your work?

There are two aspects of my profession that I am particularly passionate about.

The first is creating a positive training environment. Professional baseball players experience a tremendous amount of adversity and variability throughout a long season. My goal is to be a consistent source of positive energy for them. I want every player who walks into the weight room to feel seen, supported, comfortable, and excited to lift. Building relationships and creating an environment that athletes genuinely enjoy being part of is something I take a lot of pride in.

The second is movement preparation and corrective exercise. I have developed a strong interest in refining my skills in these areas and finding creative ways to incorporate individualized movement strategies into player programming. It has become one of my favorite aspects of coaching, particularly because I can help athletes better understand their bodies and recognize the purpose behind what we are doing. That understanding is incredibly valuable for building trust and player buy-in.

How did the UE experience help shape your success?

One of the most valuable aspects of my experience at UE was the accessibility and genuine investment of the faculty and staff.

I always felt comfortable approaching my professors with questions, asking for guidance, or simply having conversations beyond the classroom. The professors, athletic trainers, and coaches at UE are truly one of a kind in their passion for helping students succeed.

Attending a smaller university provided opportunities for hands-on learning, mentorship, and personal connections that I may not have experienced at a larger institution.

I am still in contact with several of my former professors and coaches today, which speaks volumes about the relationships UE encourages its students to build. Those relationships, along with the foundation I developed academically and athletically, have continued to influence my professional success.

What advice would you give current EXSS students?

Ask more questions, think creatively, and find ways to apply what you are learning outside of the classroom.

Don’t limit your education to what is being taught in a lecture. Seek out different perspectives, challenge yourself to understand the why behind what you are learning, and take advantage of every opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

The more you can connect classroom concepts to real-world situations, the more everything starts to make sense.

Anything else you would like to share about your profession or UE experience?

I am incredibly grateful for the University of Evansville and the people who made my experience there so memorable.

I genuinely believe I would not be where I am in my career today had I not chosen UE. The relationships, opportunities, and educational foundation I gained during my time there helped shape not only the coach I have become, but also the person I am outside of my profession.

I am proud to be a UE alumna and will always be grateful for the role the university played in my journey.