By C. Brandon Chapman
Eight students from the College of Education’s Strength and Conditioning program traveled to the Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, to attend the Northwest Regional Conference of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Assistant Professor Lukas Krumpl, who accompanied the students, said the whole group demonstrated professionalism, curiosity, and deep engagement with the field throughout the one-day event, in the end, deepening their understanding of industry practices.
“The students represented Washington State University and the strength and conditioning minor program excellently,” Krumpl said. “It was evident to the other attendees that our group was a cohesive, curious, and professional unit.”
The conference featured a series of expert-led presentations on key topics such as expanding coaching repertoires, developing coaching philosophies, monitoring female athletes, and exploring the connection between performance and physical education. Speakers hailed from a range of institutions, including the University of Denver, Sam Houston State University, and the University of Oregon.
Krumpl said COE students distinguished themselves not just through active listening, but by engaging presenters with meaningful questions and thoughtful dialogue.
“During question rounds after each presentation, our students asked strong and insightful questions,” he said. “There was no doubt that WSU and the Kinesiology program have equipped them with the knowledge and confidence to follow, understand, and critically assess professional talks.”
In addition to the educational components, the event served as a valuable networking platform. Students made professional connections with coaches, educators, and fellow attendees from across the country—many of which extended beyond the conference through platforms like LinkedIn. Some students even initiated conversations about internships and future career opportunities.
Krumpl said the conference also served as a strategic recruitment opportunity for WSU.
“We handed out materials about our Strength and Conditioning minor, as well as our Kinesiology master’s degree, to educators and coaches, especially targeting high school coaches in Southern Washington,” he said. “This kind of outreach is crucial to inform future students about the exciting career paths available through Kinesiology.”
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