TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State strength & conditioning coaches Luke Harris and Ross Jirgl recently obtained the highly esteemed Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC)  certification from the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa).

The SCCC is the most comprehensive certification of its kind and the most specific to the field of strength and conditioning coaching, the SCCC certification identifies individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, techniques, and expertise necessary to be an effective strength and conditioning coach on the collegiate and professional level.

Over the past year Coach Harris and Coach Jirgl have worked diligently to meet the extensive certification requirements which include; passing a written exam, defending an offseason training program, passing a practical exam, and completing a year internship under an approved CSCCa mentor strength coach.

"This is a great accomplishment for these two young coaches. It is the most respected certification out there and with it brings a lot of opportunity for their careers," SCCC approved mentor, David McMannus said. "It is also beneficial for the strength & conditioning program here at Indiana State University. I am very proud of Luke and Ross, they are intelligent and extremely hardworking men. They certainly deserve the title of being SCCC coaches."

This year, only 148 out of the 283 coaches passed the SCCC certification leading to a pass rate of 52.30%. Over the past 15 years there have only been 1,350 coaches to receive the certification.

 "I sincerely appreciate the CSCCa for offering a certification that brings credibility to the sport performance field. It is an honor to have been awarded the SCCC title and being recognized among an elite class of coaches," Jirgl said.

Indiana State Strength & Conditioning encourages all of our coaches and interns to continually educate themselves and pursue certification for not only their benefit, but for the benefit of Sycamore student-athletes.