NATIONAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2024 CAREER AND SERVICE AWARDS

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is proud to announce the recipients of the organization’s 2024 Career and Service Awards. Given annually, the distinguished Career Awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the strength and conditioning community throughout their careers. Additionally, the Service Awards recognize those who have provided exceptional dedication and support to the NSCA’s journals or State and Provincial Director Program. Each winner will be formally recognized at the 2024 NSCA National Conference in Baltimore, MD, this July 10-13.

Since 1993, the Boyd Epley Award for Lifetime Achievement has honored individuals who have exhibited historical impact, achievements, and dedication to the NSCA over the course of their careers. Named after Boyd Epley, NSCA’s founder, this award is considered the most prestigious honor an NSCA member can achieve. The Board of Directors proudly announces 2024 recipient Ken Kontor.

For the past 27 years, Ken Kontor was the Founder and President of Performance Conditioning Inc. (PCI) before his retirement ended the company's operations in 2023. PCI published sports-specific newsletters, books, videos, and other training resources in conjunction with the National Governing Bodies (NGB) and various coaching associations for volleyball, soccer, cycling, softball, baseball, triathlon, and roller sports.

Prior to establishing PCI, Mr. Kontor collaborated with Boyd Epley and the strength and conditioning staff at the University of Nebraska to create the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He served with the Association for its first 14 years, first as a Publications Editor and Assistant Executive Director before becoming Executive Director. During his tenure, he grew the NSCA from less than 50 members to over 10,000 under the mission to bridge the gap between sport scientists and strength and conditioning coaches. He traveled extensively to study conditioning methods in the former Soviet Union, Bulgaria, the former East Germany, Hungary, Japan, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand — establishing NSCA sister associations in Australia and Japan. He also served on the committee to create the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certification. In cooperation with the Special Olympics, Mr. Kontor launched Lift America, introducing powerlifting to Special Olympic athletes and raising over $150,000 under Chairman Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr. Kontor was a competitive super heavyweight weightlifter and powerlifter, winning Nebraska state powerlifting championships from 1968 to 1972 and Olympic weightlifting championships from 1968 to 1977. In 1971, he was named AAU Midwest Weightlifter of the Year. Mr. Kontor taught weight training at the University of Nebraska from 1969 to 1970. He achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at the University of Nebraska and completed Master’s coursework in exercise physiology, kinesiology, anatomy, and test and measurements.

Created in 1986, the Alvin Roy Award for Career Achievement honors Alvin Roy, who helped establish strength and conditioning as the cornerstone of any training program. Roy was one of the first coaches to show that lifting weights would improve both speed and power, and he helped debunk the myth that lifting weights made athletes slower. In light of his legacy, this esteemed award is given to an individual whose career achievements made a substantial impact on the scientific understanding, methodologies, and practice of resistance training as a component of sports conditioning. The Board of Directors pridefully recognizes 2024 recipient William J. Kraemer, PhD, CSCS,*D, FACSM, FISSN, FNSCA.

The NSCA proudly honors Dr. William J. Kraemer in recognition of his exceptional achievements in the realms of scientific research and education within the strength and conditioning field. Dr. Kraemer, a prolific scholar, boasts an impressive portfolio of over 500 peer-reviewed publications and holds one of the highest scholarly rankings in this discipline. His career has been marked by significant scientific contributions and his deep involvement with the NSCA since its inception in 1978. Dr. Kraemer's dedication is evident through his participation in numerous committees and elected positions, notably serving as a past NSCA President.

As the founding editor of the NSCA's Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR) and its long-term Editor-In-Chief, Dr. Kraemer played a pivotal role in establishing the NSCA as a global authority on strength and conditioning through solid scientific foundations. A professor at major research universities, including The Ohio State University, the University of Connecticut, and Pennsylvania State University, his dedication to graduate education has been demonstrated by the numerous professionals he has mentored who are now making contributions to our field. Upon receiving the news of the award, Dr. Kraemer expressed profound gratitude, describing it as a distinct and unique honor among the multitude of recognitions he has received, many of which were bestowed by the NSCA itself. He highlighted the invaluable contributions of his "Kraemer Laboratory Family," praising the exceptional team of scientists he has collaborated with throughout his career. Moreover, Dr. Kraemer paid a special tribute to his wife, Joan, whose significant efforts with the JSCR played a crucial role in its enduring success.

Awarded since 1997, the NSCA Impact Award highlights an individual who has made significant contributions that have impacted a segment of the overall field of strength and conditioning. The Board of Directors is pleased to acknowledge 2024 recipient B. Sue Graves, EdD, FASM, FISSN.

Dr. B. Sue Graves is a sharecropper’s daughter, originally from Lexa, Arkansas. Her undergraduate and Master’s degrees were completed at Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She was a physical education and math major, initially. She taught and coached in the public school systems in Arkansas, Texas, and North Carolina for over seven years. She received her Doctorate in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Her dissertation focused on female sport (scuba) divers. After graduation, she accepted the opportunity to teach scuba diving and manage the dive shop at Walker’s Cay, Bahamas. This experience led her to manage the 75-slip marina plus pursue other opportunities in the sportfishing industry until she was hired at Florida Atlantic University almost 30 years ago. She decided students were her primary focus in her teaching and other professional activities. Her NSCA membership started over 27 years ago. She has judged NSCA abstracts and grants as well as served on various committees, including currently on the Research Committee. She is also active with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), again remaining student-focused. She supports and mentors any student or other professional working toward further education or changing to that desired career path, especially in strength and conditioning.

Selected by the Editor-In-Chief, the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR) Editorial Excellence Award is presented to members of the JSCR Editorial Board in recognition of their service to the journal and association. Earning this honor in 2024 are Jie Kang, PhD, FACSM, and Matt S. Stock, PhD, CSCS, FNSCA.

Dr. Jie Kang is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at The College of New Jersey and a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Kang earned his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, Master’s from the City University of New York-Queens College, and Bachelor’s from Beijing Sports University. His research interests include exercise metabolism, sports nutrition, and cardiorespiratory physiology. Dr. Kang has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including two textbooks on biogenetics, nutrition, and metabolism. He also regularly presents at regional, national, and international conferences. Currently, he serves as a Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Dr. Matt Stock is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science (IEPRS) at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Stock’s research interests involve understanding the neuromuscular adaptations associated with disuse, aging/sarcopenia, and exercise rehabilitation. As IEPRS Director, he synergizes interdisciplinary research efforts among scientists and students in kinesiology, physical therapy, athletic training, and related disciplines. Dr. Stock has served in leadership roles for several organizations, including as President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation Board of Directors. He has received numerous university- and national-level awards for teaching and mentoring students and early career researchers. Dr. Stock enjoys collaborating with students, trainees, and colleagues on research projects in the laboratory.

Determined by the Editor and Senior Editors, the Strength and Conditioning Journal (SCJ) Editorial Excellence Award is presented to an individual in recognition of their exemplary service to the journal’s review and editorial process. Receiving this recognition in 2024 is Tessa Koschel, PhD, CSCS.

Dr. Tessa Koschel is the innovator of Fitness Therapy Coaching and Consulting, a program that utilizes the interplay between anthropology and neurophysiology to elicit apex human performance. From private clients to large lecture halls, Dr. K takes an interdisciplinary approach to unleash the superhuman within the professional, first responder, and perinatal communities. Following a successful NCAA Track and Field career, Dr. K spent 10 years coaching NCAA athletics in track and field and strength and conditioning. She went on to conduct NIH research for the University of Colorado Denver, pioneered health-coaching models with Iora Health, and currently travels nationwide to advocate for the value and need of strength and conditioning professionals in US healthcare. Dr. Koschel serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, is the NSCA Oregon State Director, and previously served on the NSCA Colorado State Advisory Board.

Using the Evaluation Criteria format, the State/Provincial Director of the Year Award is given to a state or provincial director who has accumulated the most points during the year from April 1 to March 31. Accepting this achievement in 2024 is Federick Brooks, MS, CSCS,*D.

Federick “Fed” Brooks is the Owner of Sound Sports Performance and Training and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS,*D®) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He also serves as the NSCA Washington State Director. Fed moved to Washington in 2014 and has worked in various capacities in the fitness industry, including as a personal trainer, fitness manager, group exercise instructor, adjunct professor, independent strength and conditioning coach, and now the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Henry Jackson High School. He holds a Master’s in Kinesiology with a dual concentration in Sport Conditioning and Sport/Exercise Psychology from A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ, and a Bachelor’s in Recreation, Health, and Fitness Resources with a concentration in Kinesiology from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Fed is also a USA Track and Field Level 2 Certified Coach, USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach, and has held various other fitness certifications.

Congratulations to our dedicated recipients! Your devotion and contributions continue to inspire our community and set a benchmark for excellence.

The NSCA invites you to join us in celebrating their achievements at the 2024 NSCA National Conference in Baltimore, MD, and online on July 10-13. Register now at NSCA.com/NSCACon.

For more information about the NSCA’s esteemed awards, visit NSCA.com/Membership/Awards.

Media Note: To schedule an interview with award winners, please contact marketing@nsca.com.

About the National Strength & Conditioning Association

Founded in 1978, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a recognized 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit dedicated to advancing strength and conditioning science and education for all people.

The NSCA exists to empower the public and professionals across the strength and conditioning spectrum with evidence-based information to safely and effectively enhance health and performance. Our community consists of more than 60,000 Members and Certified Professionals worldwide who further best practices as researchers, educators, strength and conditioning coaches, performance and sport scientists, personal trainers, tactical professionals, and other exercise science-related roles.