Book Lessons with Coach Lucas

I am an athlete-centered coach who believes every athlete develops differently and deserves an individualized approach. My experiences as a collegiate volleyball player, strength and conditioning coach, educator, and mentor have taught me the importance of adaptability, communication, and relationship-building. Whether working with beginners or advanced athletes, I focus on creating a positive environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and confident in their ability to improve.

My goal is to help athletes develop not only their skills, but also their confidence, work ethic, and understanding of the game. Through my experiences coaching youth athletes and collegiate athletes across multiple sports, I have learned that meaningful development comes from strong relationships, consistent feedback, and a genuine investment in each athlete's success both on and off the court.

I improve athletes by identifying their strengths, addressing areas for improvement, and creating a plan that fits their individual goals. Every athlete learns differently, so I tailor my coaching style to ensure each player receives the feedback and instruction they need to develop both their skills and confidence.

Whether your goal is to make a team, earn more playing time, prepare for the next level, or simply become a more complete athlete, I focus on building strong fundamentals, improving decision-making, and helping athletes understand the game at a deeper level. My goal is not only to help athletes perform better, but to give them the confidence and tools needed to continue improving long after our sessions end.

Every training session begins with understanding the athlete. I take time to learn about their goals, sport schedule, training history, and areas they want to improve so that every session is tailored to their individual needs. From there, we move through a structured warm-up before focusing on the skills, movements, and physical qualities that will help them succeed in their sport.

No two athletes train exactly the same. Younger athletes focus on developing movement skills, coordination, and confidence through engaging activities and age-appropriate training. As athletes progress, sessions become more individualized to address specific needs such as speed, strength, power, or sport-specific performance. For advanced and college-bound athletes, programming is adjusted based on their competitive season and long-term goals to ensure they are prepared for the demands of the next level.

Beyond physical development, I place a strong emphasis on accountability, confidence, and education. I want athletes to understand not only what they are doing, but why they are doing it. My goal is to help athletes develop the knowledge and habits needed to continue improving on their own while building the confidence to trust their abilities both in competition and in everyday life. When an athlete leaves a session, I want them to feel challenged, supported, and better equipped to take ownership of their development.

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach with experience coaching athletes across multiple sports at the NCAA Division I and Division III levels. Holds a Master's degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Applied Exercise Science and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Experience includes collegiate strength and conditioning, sport coaching, teaching, athlete development, sports science technology, and leadership of large athlete groups.

Known for an athlete-centered coaching philosophy that emphasizes adaptability, communication, relationship-building, and individualized development. Experience spans youth athletes, collegiate athletes, students, interns, and multiple sport populations, allowing for a versatile coaching style that can be adapted to a variety of learning styles, competitive levels, and performance goals.

Athletic Background

* Played soccer and volleyball throughout high school.

* Continued volleyball career at the collegiate club level.

* Served as captain of collegiate club volleyball team.

* Helped lead club volleyball team to a Top-20 national ranking (#18 nationally).

* Collegiate cheerleader and mascot, providing experience in multiple athletic and performance environments.

Coaching Experience

University of Wisconsin–Superior

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

* Oversees strength and conditioning programs for multiple NCAA Division III sports.

* Works directly with athletes in the weight room and performance environment.

* Responsible for program implementation, coaching, and athlete development.

* Supports athletic performance, injury reduction, and long-term athlete development.

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

* Worked with multiple Division I athletic programs.

* Coached athletes in hockey, basketball, swimming, spirit squad, and additional sports.

* Assisted with program implementation, athlete monitoring, and daily coaching.

* Collaborated with athletic trainers and coaching staffs.

* Utilized velocity-based training and sports science technologies to support athlete development.

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach – Spirit Squad

* Primary strength coach for cheer, dance, and mascot athletes.

* Largest athlete group directly overseen during time at Wisconsin.

* Designed and implemented training programs for multiple athlete populations simultaneously.

* Created individualized approaches for athletes with different performance demands.

* Increased athlete engagement, accountability, and buy-in within the training environment.

* Helped support teams that achieved Top-10 finishes at national competitions.

Volleyball Coaching

* Coached youth and club volleyball athletes.

* Former coach for previous club volleyball program in the Chicago area.

* Developed technical skills and athlete confidence through individualized instruction.

* Experience working with athletes of varying ages and skill levels.

Teaching and Leadership Experience

Teaching Assistant

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Courses:

* Human Anatomy

* Foundations of Health Behavior and Health Equity

Responsibilities:

* Led review sessions.

* Graded assignments, projects, and examinations.

* Conducted office hours and student support.

* Adapted teaching strategies to different learning styles.

Lead Intern

University of Wisconsin–Madison Strength and Conditioning

* Supervised and mentored strength and conditioning interns.

* Coordinated communication between interns and coaching staff.

* Assisted in intern development and education.

* Helped organize coaching responsibilities and daily operations.

Certifications and Education

* Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

* Master of Science in Kinesiology – Applied Exercise Science

* Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Awards and Recognition

* Excellence in Applied and Evidence-Based Practice Award

* University of Wisconsin Department of Kinesiology

Sports Science and Performance Technology

Experience utilizing:

* GymAware

* VALD Performance Systems

* Hawkins Dynamics Force Plates

* Vitruve

* 1080 Motion (Sprint and Quantum)

* Velocity-Based Training (VBT)

* Force Plate Testing

* Athlete Monitoring and Data Analysis

The best coach I ever had was Tommy Inkrott, the men's hockey strength and conditioning coach at the University of Wisconsin. What stood out most about Tommy was that he led by example. No matter how early I arrived, he was already there training, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and consistency to everything he did. His commitment to his own development set a standard that inspired those around him to do the same.

Tommy also played a significant role in my development as a coach. Early in my first semester coaching the Spirit Squad, he took the time to sit down with me and provide honest feedback. He told me my programs were well designed, but that I needed to be more confident on the floor. Throughout the semester, he continued to challenge and mentor me, helping me grow into a more effective coach. What I appreciated most was that he was always willing to explain the reasoning behind his decisions and welcomed questions and discussion. He created an environment where learning was encouraged rather than discouraged.

The biggest lesson I took from Tommy was that great coaching is about more than knowledge. It is about energy, accountability, confidence, and a willingness to help others grow. As a coach, I try to bring those same qualities to every athlete I work with by leading by example, providing honest feedback, and helping athletes understand the "why" behind what they are doing so they can continue developing long after our sessions end.

As a former collegiate volleyball player, team captain, and collegiate strength and conditioning coach, I understand the challenges athletes face both on and off the court. My coaching philosophy centers around individualized development because every athlete learns differently. Whether you're new to the sport or striving to compete at a higher level, my goal is to help you build confidence, improve your skills, and develop a deeper understanding of the game.

I believe the best coaching relationships are built on trust, communication, and consistent effort. Through my experiences coaching youth athletes, collegiate athletes, and students, I have learned how to adapt my coaching style to meet the needs of each individual. My goal is to create a positive and challenging environment where athletes feel supported, enjoy the process of improvement, and leave each session better than they arrived.