Eight Strength and Conditioning students had the chance to flex their skills at the Northwest Regional Conference of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), held November 8 at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
Led by faculty member Lukas Krumpl, the group spent the day attending sessions, networking with coaches and professionals from around the country, and soaking up advice from leaders in the field. Along the way, Krumpl said the students impressed others.
“It was evident to the other attendees that our group was a cohesive, curious, and professional unit,” he said. “I was approached from multiple coaches and speakers that spoke to the eloquence and kindness of our students. Several coaches and speakers even went out of their way to compliment the group’s professionalism, curiosity and strong communication skills.”
During Q&A sessions, WSU students asked insightful, thoughtful questions that showed they weren’t just listening — they were critically engaging with the material. Their performance reflected the preparation and confidence built through both the Kinesiology program and Strength and Conditioning minor.
Students also used the conference to grow their professional networks, connecting in person and via LinkedIn with coaches from schools like the University of Denver, Sam Houston State University, and the University of Oregon. Presentation topics covered a lot of ground, from expanding coaching styles and building a coaching philosophy, to monitoring female athletes and exploring the link between physical education and athletic performance. Some students even laid the groundwork for future internships and job opportunities.
The trip also served as a chance to promote the college’s academic programs. Lukas handed out flyers for both the Kinesiology program, as well as the Strength and Conditioning Minor, especially targeting high school coaches near the Washington-Oregon border and south of Seattle. Flyers were also placed at conference tables to help spread the word to even more educators and potential future Cougs.
The conference gave students a great look at where their careers could take them — and gave others a strong look at what WSU students have to offer.
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