BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southern Vermont College Director of Athletics Michael McDonough announced on Friday the hire of Bob Kurtzner as the first ever strength and conditioning coordinator for the SVC Athletics Department.
Describing this opportunity, McDonough notes that, "The collegiate student-athlete is committed to sharpening the physical skills of their sport, developing the mental acuity to perform at the highest level, and possessing the strength and conditioning to compete successfully and safely. It is an important step for our athletic program to support these efforts with the focus and knowledge of a strength and conditioning coordinator. We are especially fortunate that Bob Kurtzner is that person."
Kurtzner brings a wealth of training knowledge to Southern Vermont as well as a slew of coaching experience. He received his USA Track & Field Coaching and Officiating Certification in 2007 after getting certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 1995. Kurtzner graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Education for Physical Education degree from the State University of New York at Cortland in 1975, and he then returned to Cortland for his Master of Science in Physical Education degree which he completed in 1988.
“I look forward to working with the Southern Vermont athletic training staff, coaches and student-athletes,” commented Kurtzner. “I want to thank President David Evans and Athletic Director Mike McDonough for this opportunity. With the support of the athletics staff, my goal is the overall development of the student-athlete physically, mentally, and emotionally, with a comprehensive approach.”
Kurtzner has worked in the physical education department at nearby Mount Anthony Union High School since 2000, a position he will keep while simultaneously assisting SVC’s athletic programs. He was also the Patriots’ head track and field coach during his 15 year tenure at MAU and will now help the programs as a consultant. Kurtzner has worked privately for local high school and college teams in that same time and helped the Southern Vermont Storm semi-professional football team from 2007-09 as a strength and conditioning coach.
From 1989-99, he was the fitness director at Repsher Physical Therapy in Albany, N.Y. after being the fitness programs manager for The Court Club in Albany from 1980-87. Prior to that, Kurtzner worked as a fitness instructor at All Sports Fitness Club in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. between 1979 and 1980. MAU was not Kurtzner’s first experience in the classroom as he was an adjunct professor at Hudson Valley Community College in 1997 and a lecturer at SUNY Cortland from 1987-89.