The Game Plan: MAC’s First Basketball-Only Position Highlights Changes to Strength and Conditioning Staff
7/11/2016 10:03:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State University Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen announced modifications to the strength and conditioning staff on Monday (July 11). Rhen Vail has been named head basketball strength and conditioning coach, while graduate assistants Sean Lockwood and Mary Catherine Powers have been promoted to full-time assistant strength and conditioning coach roles.
"Creating support staff positions that are basketball-specific strategically aligns with our goal of gaining 'national distinction' through our men's basketball program," Nielsen said. "The investment made to create the MAC's first basketball-only strength position, in addition to our basketball-only academic counselor, is a direct reflection of the priority we place on the student-athlete experience at Kent State. This is one of many future steps the athletics department will implement as a part of our strategic vision "Game Plan" announced earlier this year."
The creation of the Mid-American Conference's first head basketball strength and conditioning coach position is among Kent State Athletics' efforts to make initial investments in men's basketball as a first step in building identity and generating resources for the overall athletics program.
"With a renewed focus on basketball, our administration and I have dedicated an additional staff position to focus solely on basketball," said Director of Strength and Conditioning Bob Lemieux ('98). "Having a person dedicated to basketball will allow our staff to provide the attention these programs need as a priority here at Kent State."
During his five years as part of Kent State's strength and conditioning staff, Vail has been responsible for overseeing the strength and conditioning programs for baseball, soccer and track and field, while assisting with football. He joined the staff as a graduate assistant in May of 2011. Upon earning a Master's degree in sport and recreation management in May of 2013, Vail was promoted to assistant strength and conditioning coach.
"Rhen has been very loyal to this department and brings lots of dedication to the job," Lemieux added. "He really enjoys the game of basketball and has expressed interest in getting involved with our basketball programs over the years. His passion for the opportunity to train our basketball programs really showed during this process."
Announced in March, The Game Plan is a comprehensive plan that maps out a strategic course for the department over the next five years. Among the key points was utilizing men's basketball as the initial vehicle for revenue generation and national distinctiveness.
The MAC's premier basketball school, Kent State has a conference-best 588 victories between the programs since the turn of the century. The Flashes have made 13 appearances in either the NCAA Tournament or NIT/WNIT during this time, which also leads the MAC. Additionally, Kent State has won seven regular season championships, while boasting four student-athletes named MAC Player of the Year and four student-athletes combine to earn six MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
"We are really excited to have Rhen as the MAC's first basketball-only strength and conditioning coach," said Kent State men's basketball head coach Rob Senderoff. "I want to thank President Warren, Joel Nielsen and the rest of our administration for making this investment in Kent State basketball. Strength and conditioning plays such an important role in our success on the court, and having a coach dedicated to working only with our basketball programs is really advantageous. Rhen has showed great enthusiasm to work with our student-athletes, and I look forward to the positive impact he'll have on our players' development."
"By creating a position in strength and conditioning that is basketball-specific, it shows President Warren and Joel Nielsen are committed towards making Kent State men's and women's basketball flagship programs within the MAC," said Kent State women's basketball head coach Todd Starkey. "Rhen has a great enthusiasm and ability towards developing student-athletes to be their strongest and fittest, both physically and mentally. Our players will be the immediate beneficiaries of this forward-thinking move by our administration."
Lockwood and Powers joined the Kent State strength and conditioning staff in January of 2014.
As a graduate assistant, Lockwood worked with field hockey and softball, while assisting with football. He will continue to work with those programs while adding baseball.
Powers, who completed a strength and conditioning internship at Kent State before moving on to the graduate assistant position in the summer of 2014, worked with gymnastics and women's golf while assisting with men's and women's basketball the past two years. She will continue to work with those programs while adding soccer.
Under the direction of Director of Strength and Conditioning Bob Lemieux, Kent State's strength and conditioning staff now has five full-time positions.
Lemieux, who recently completed his 15th year at Kent State, will continue to supervise the strength and conditioning staff while working directly with the men's golf, volleyball and wrestling programs. He will also work with women's lacrosse when it is added as a varsity sport for the 2018-19 academic year.
Ross Bowsher, who was hired in January, will continue is his role as head football strength and conditioning coach.
The Game Plan
A comprehensive plan that maps out a strategic course for Kent State University's athletics department over the next five years, The Game Plan contains the department's mission, core values and strategic initiatives, including a wide scope of topics ranging from facilities, student-athlete well-being and competitive expectations.
Previous releases about The Game Plan:
Athletics Releases Strategic Vision
Lacrosse Coming to Kent State in 2018-19
Kent State Announces New Staff Position and Additional Changes
