Strength And Conditioning

Mission and Training Philosophy

The Brandeis Strength & Conditioning Program’s first priority is to provide a safe, inclusive, and comfortable environment for the student-athletes and staff. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive, well-rounded, and collaborative training program designed to improve the physical and mental capacities of our student-athletes. We are committed to using a balanced approach to training, where we are constantly trying to improve all athletic qualities. At Brandeis, we also utilize a holistic approach that includes yoga, mobility, and aquatic training sessions.

Our training philosophy is rooted in three key principles:

  1. Perfect the basics - Each sport starts off with the Block Zero program, this includes foundational movement patterns to establish a base for long term athletic development. This can last anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the sport and time available.
  2. Build a complete athlete - Strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, and mobility are qualities we look to work at consistently. The programs will offer a balanced approach that builds these factors. Depending on the time of year, one may be a primary focus, but we will always strive to improve, or at the very least, maintain these abilities.
  3. Challenge them every day - We try to challenge our athletes to get better each day. This is to help build a culture and create lifelong habits. While some challenges may be daunting (heavy squat, complex Olympic movements), many are small mindful behaviors (completing workout card, higher quality warm-up) that reinforce our standards

Meet the Staff

Jay Mendoza - Head Strengh and Conditioning Coach

Jay oversees the physical preparation programs for 19 varsity sports. He works alongside administrators, coaches, and athletic trainers to create a comprehensive training program that builds the physical and mental capacities of young men and women. Previously, Mendoza has held roles as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Eastern Connecticut State University, helping the Warriors to seven Little East Conference championships (4 regular season and 3 tournament) and a 3rd place finish in the NCAA Division-III National Tournament for ECSU Softball. Additionally, he spent the 2017-18 season as a part-time assistant strength and conditioning coach at Trinity College, working with a variety of teams such as swimming and diving, track and field, and men’s basketball. Jay believes in using a well-rounded, balanced approach to training, constantly trying to improve all athletic qualities while challenging his student-athletes.

 
XXXX XXXXX - Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
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XXXX XXXXX - Graduate Assistant
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2021-2022 Student Strength Team

Noah Gans - Men's Soccer
Ali Lapioli -
Women's Soccer
Hannah Saadon -
Volleyball
Kyle Downing -
Men's Basketball
Macy Arsenault -
Women's Basketball
Elliot Siegel -
Men's Fencing
Maddy Vibert -
Women's Fencing
Ido Petel -
Men's Swimming & Diving
Gabriela Mendoza -
Women's Swimming & Diving
Cam Roberts -
Baseball
Tara Striggow -
Softball
Colt Tegtmeier -
Men's Tennis
Lauren Bertsch -
Women's Tennis

 


 Varsity Weight Room Information

The varsity weight room is a private space located located on the top level of Gosman Sports Center. The varsity weight room, which is separate from Gosman's general use weight room also located in the building, is available to all varsity athletes by reservation only. To sign up for a small group lifiting session slot, please click the button below. All varsity athletes MUST be signed up to access the VWR. If you know you will miss your session, you need to delete your signup to make your spot available to others. Failure to do so will result in you losing a spot the following week.