News Summary
Francis Marion University’s strength and conditioning staff has been recognized as the inaugural Conference Carolinas Strength and Conditioning Staff of the Year. Led by Deon Edwards, the team has made significant contributions to improving the athletic performance of student-athletes. Their efforts have helped propel four programs into NCAA postseason play and resulted in numerous all-conference honors. This award highlights their commitment to excellence in sports performance and conditioning at the university.
Florence, South Carolina – Francis Marion University’s Strength and Conditioning Staff Honored as 2024-25 Conference Carolinas Staff of the Year
Francis Marion University’s strength and conditioning staff has been recognized as the inaugural Conference Carolinas Strength and Conditioning Staff of the Year for the 2024-25 academic year. This prestigious award highlights the exceptional contributions the staff has made to enhance the athletic performance of student-athletes at the university.
The award-winning staff is led by Deon Edwards, the Director of Sports Performance, and includes dedicated student assistants Makayla Brown, Austin Vienna, and Nancy Beasley. Their efforts over the past season have been instrumental in the university’s athletic achievements, including success in postseason competitions.
In the last season alone, four of Francis Marion’s athletic programs advanced to NCAA postseason play. Additionally, one more program narrowly missed qualifying, and a remarkable 38 student-athletes earned all-conference honors. Among these accomplished athletes, seven were recognized with All-America status, showcasing the effectiveness of the staff’s training and conditioning methods.
Deon Edwards has been a critical figure in driving the success of student-athletes. He has played a vital role in enhancing their performance during both off-seasons and competitive seasons. Furthermore, Edwards has collaborated closely with the athletic training staff to support injured athletes through effective recovery processes.
The awarding body, Conference Carolinas, expressed their admiration for the staff’s outstanding achievements this past year. Conference Carolinas Commissioner Chris Colvin commended the staff for their exceptional performance and significant impact within the conference.
Background on Deon Edwards
Deon Edwards is a native of Florence and joined Francis Marion University in August 2021. He is an alumnus of South Florence High School, where he excelled as a three-sport athlete. Edwards possesses a robust academic background, holding a B.S. degree in exercise and sport science from Coastal Carolina University. He further advanced his education by earning a M.S. degree in applied sports nutrition from Concordia University of Chicago in 2020.
In addition to his educational qualifications, Edwards is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a certification awarded by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), which marks him as a qualified professional in the field of sports performance and conditioning.
Acknowledgment of the Award
The Strength and Conditioning Staff of the Year award is decided through a voting process involving each member institution’s strength and conditioning department, reflecting a collective acknowledgment of excellence across the board. Francis Marion’s staff’s award cements their status as leaders in the field of sports performance within Conference Carolinas, showcasing their commitment to developing and empowering student-athletes through tailored training programs.
With the recognition of this award, Francis Marion University’s strength and conditioning staff continues to set a benchmark for excellence in collegiate athletics. Their commitment not only contributes to individual athlete success but also enhances the overall reputation of the university’s athletics program.
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Additional Resources
- SCNow: Francis Marion University Recognized
- Wikipedia: Strength and Conditioning
- MiLB: Greensboro Native Leads Grasshoppers
- Google Search: Strength and Conditioning in Collegiate Athletics
- ABC45: New Grasshoppers Coaching Lineup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletic Training
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