Aug. 25, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State strength and conditioning head coach Rohrk Cutchlow was named a finalist for College Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Cutchlow was one of six finalists for the award, which recognizes college professionals who show excellence in strength training and conditioning programs.
Cutchlow believes that the support from the Redbirds' athletics department is the reason behind being named a finalist.
"We have a tremendous support network," said Cutchlow. "Everyone has been great, from the administration to the staff and employees. We have the most outstanding staff you could ask for."
The Littleport, Iowa, native has been affiliated with the NSCA since 2001 and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), having been recertified with distinction in 2006. He also has club coach certification through USA weightlifting and is a member of the Black Coaches Association.
Since arriving to Illinois State in 2003, Cutchlow has been personally involved in the completion of the newly constructed, state-of-the-art Owen Strength and Conditioning Center in Redbird Arena. Cutchlow devised the design, layout and equipment selection for the 9,200 sq. ft. facility for maximal effectiveness and efficiency. Under his leadership, the Redbird athletic training program has been able to develop skill-specific programs for student-athletes needing special workouts according to their physiological or biomechanical deficiencies.
"We have a facility that our student-athletes can get a tremendous amount of work done," said Cutchlow.
A 1999 graduate of the University of Memphis, Cutchlow was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for the Tiger baseball team. He received his bachelor of science in exercise and sport science. Prior to Illinois State, Cutchlow was the head strength and conditioning coach for the 16 Olympic sports at Iowa State as well as working with the men's basketball team. While at Iowa State, he earned a master's degree in education in 2001. He also worked with professional baseball players for the Iowa Cubs, the Chicago Cubs' top minor league team.
