Strength & Conditioning One of the biggest changes in college athletics over the past few years has been the attitude toward strength and conditioning. Performing in the weight room has become just as important as on-the-field competition, and Middle Tennessee has one of the very best staffs in the nation and is committed to making student-athletes the best they can be. It all happens in the Blue Raiders’ 10,000plus square foot weight room facility located adjacent to the north end zone of Floyd Stadium and designed for use by all Middle Tennessee student-athletes. It is a strength training area that rivals any in the country. The weight room has been described by many people as better than any in the immediate area, including those at SEC and Conference USA schools. The facility, which opened in January of 1999, greets student-athletes with over 20,000 pounds of plates and dumbbells, but the sheer volume of weights is not the most impressive aspect of the room. It is equipped with nine full power racks, nine elevated platforms, and nine half-racks. Hammer strength equipment rounds out the room with five ground-base jammers, a dead lift, a leg press, a leg curl, and a leg extension. Other Hammer strength equipment in the facility includes a bench press, a military press, a rowing machine, neck machine, pull-up, and pull-over. An impressive array of dumbbells is also provided for the student-athletes’ use. Two sets each of dumbbells ranging from five to 150 pounds are kept on racks around the room.
Mirrors ring the walls of the room to help student-athletes ensure that they are using proper form throughout their workouts. Cardiovascular equipment, such as treadmills and stationary bikes, is also available in the facility. Fringe benefits may also be found in the weight room. A television with The weight room contains an assortment of free weights, including cable and a state-of- a dumbbell area and workout benches. the-art sound system has been installed for the enjoyment of the student-athletes. Three offices for the “Our players look forward to strength coaches are located in the facility, coming to the weight room, along with restrooms and a small hospitality and that’s a credit to Coach area. The weight room also provides direct access to the football stadium, gameday room, Spray and his program.” and individual meeting rooms. The gameday - Head Coach Kermit Davis room is used not only by the Blue Raider football team on game days and for film break- both the men’s and women’s tennis programs down, but also for press conferences, HPERS and baseball. classes, and other functions. The meeting Every member of the staff is highly reroom is fully equipped with high-tech audio/ spected and very knowledgeable in the field, visual equipment to enhance learning. which is a big reason Middle Tennessee athThe weight room is supervised by head letes are in better shape today than in years strength coach Matt Riley and assistants past. Cedric Walthaw, Jason Spray and Chris Dickson. Riley, a former Middle Tennessee football player, oversees the entire operation and was responsible for the design and layout of the facility. Following his graduation from Middle Tennessee in 1988, Riley was the head strength and conditioning coach at Tennessee Tech in 1989 and 1990 before taking over the same role at Southern Miss in 1991 and 1992. The former Blue Raider over- Basketball strength and conditioning sees programs for coach Jason Spray works with Theryn Fats Cuyler works on the hang-clean during one of the team’s workouts this fall.
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2005-06 Blue Raider Basketball