Meet Pembroke Hill strength & conditioning coach Sam McGriff
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Since 2013, Pembroke Hill has benefited from the efforts of the school鈥檚 Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sam McGriff. His journey in sports started in his youth in Kansas City. He competed in sports at Bishop Miege during his high school years. McGriff did ROTC at the University of Missouri, where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Nutrition & Fitness. He spent four years as an Operations Officer in the U.S. Navy. He went on to earn a master鈥檚 degree in Exercise Science. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and holds multiple certifications through the CSCC, NASM, USAW, and NASE. Coach McGriff is dedicated to fitness, performance, and helping students reach their full potential.
鈥淎t the end of the day, our goal is to help prevent injury and try to optimize performance as best we can,鈥� says McGriff. 鈥淵ou have to know the demands of the sport. When designing a program, I want to make sure I know the athletes鈥� needs and what their sport requires. The fun challenge is to figure out and understand the physical demands of the sport, and incorporate training that will mimic those demands, and help the athletes improve in their sport.鈥�
A few key elements to successful training are consistency and encouraging athletes to step out of their comfort zone.
鈥淭he key to everything is consistency. The best program is the one you stick to,鈥� says McGriff. 鈥淲ith training, no matter what you are training for, you have to put in the time. You must dedicate time over the long haul to achieve success. Athletes also have to step out of their comfort zone and be comfortable getting uncomfortable. Some discomfort is going to be associated with the training process. Pushing the body beyond its limits and allowing it to recover and adapt is key. But without getting out of the comfort zone, there won鈥檛 be any change.鈥�
鈥淢y proudest moments are when I have kids who graduated come back to see me, and they appreciate what we put them through. Just knowing that I have helped impact their life at some point.鈥� Says McGriff. 鈥淲hether they went on to the military, or they are competing at a college in sports at a higher level, it is extremely rewarding to know that I had helped influence those kids.鈥�
鈥淲hat is your North Star? What is the thing that drives you? For me, it’s about having patience with the process and doing the right thing to help the kids out. So, if I put the kids first, and I do the right thing, everything else will take care of itself.鈥� Says McGriff.
Coach McGriff鈥檚 dedication to strength and conditioning at Pembroke Hill has helped shape the lives of student-athletes. His focus on consistency, individualized training, and encouraging growth inspires students to reach their full potential鈥攂oth on and off the field.
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