Dr. Bill Holcomb, the founding director of the professional master’s program in athletic training at Mercer University, has been named the winner of the United States Sports Academy’s 2018 Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award. Holcomb is a professor at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and is an Academy alumnus, having earned a Master of Sports Science degree in sports medicine from the institution in 1988. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Berry College and a Ph.D. in exercise physiology from Auburn University. Holcomb has been a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist for more than 25 years. He is recognized as a fellow in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).  He was awarded the NSCA’s 2017 Sports [...]

United States Sports Academy alumnus Mike Leach coached the Washington State football team to a school-best 11 wins in 2018 after the Cougars knocked off Iowa State 28-26 in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, in December. It was the second postseason win for Washington State under Leach, who has coached the Cougars (11-2) since 2012. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in American studies and earning his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law – where he originally planned to be an attorney – Leach decided to take a different career path as a football coach.  He earned his Master of Sports Science degree in sports coaching from the Academy in 1988. Leach, a native of Cody, Wyo., is the Academy Alumni [...]

  The United States Sports Academy’s 2017 Alumnus of the Year Dr. Dave Shrock continues to earn accolades for his involvement in the world of track and field. Shrock was recently named the recipient of the USA Track and Field (USATF) President’s Award in recognition of his more than 40 years of service in track and field as an athlete, coach, and administrator. Shrock currently serves as the chair of the USATF National Association's Committee, which is the organization’s largest, in addition to numerous USATF leadership roles including past president of the Pacific Association, USATF Pacific Coaching Committee chair, Coaching Education Executive Committee, and Men’s Development Committee. Shrock earned his Doctor of Education degree in sports management from the Academy in 2009 and serves as a member of the Academy’s [...]

United States Sports Academy alumnus Dr. Andy Dotterweich wears many hats in his role as an associate professor at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and operations manager at an official Olympic Training Site in Johnson City, Tenn. Dotterweich earned dual Master of Sports Science degrees in coaching and sports medicine from the Academy in 1998. He is an associate professor in the Sport, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology Department at ETSU. He also serves as the operations manager for the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) program at the institution’s Center for Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, the Olympic Training Site on the ETSU campus. Dotterweich said his Academy education “uniquely positioned” him to be successful in higher education and sport. “I chose the Academy because I wanted to be immersed [...]

California State University East Bay (CSUEB) assistant athletic director for development Darrell Bailey said the United States Sports Academy was a blessing for his career and a spring board into collegiate athletics administration. Bailey, who is charged with increasing revenue to the Pioneers athletics department through donor support and corporate sponsorships, earned his Master of Sports Science degree in sports management from the Academy in 2004. “The Academy was a blessing to me and my career, and I can definitely say it was a spring board for me into college athletics,” Bailey said. “My Academy education directly prepared me for my positions over the past 10 years through helping me understand the skills necessary behind being the athlete. Courses in sport administration, sport marketing, contemporary issues in sport and sport finance [...]

United States Sports Academy alumnus Dr. Todd Pitts recently earned his doctoral degree from the institution and with it, earned a promotion to become an associate professor in the collegiate ranks. Pitts has taught in various roles at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich., for more than 20 years. Upon earning his Doctor of Education degree in sports management from the Academy in 2017, Pitts was promoted to become an associate professor of sport management at Davenport. “I chose to continue my educational endeavors with the United States Academy for a variety of reasons,” Pitts said. “I actually visited the campus prior to making a decision. The opportunity to meet with some of the faculty solidified my decision to attend this prestigious institution. Their passion for learning and student success [...]