Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sport Performance Internship Program
Former EMU Sport Performance Interns
Paul Cipriano, BS, SCCC, CSCS - Paul is currently a Graduate Assistant at Central Michigan University work in Strength & Conditioning. Paul Cipriano earned his bachelors degree in exercise science from North Central College in 2013. At North Central Paul competed on the Track and Field team as a sprinter and triple jumper, helping North Central win four national championships. Paul worked as an intern and assistant performance coach at Ethos 360 before becoming a sports performance coaching assistant at the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse where he assisted with all sports and programed for wrestling and women’s basketball. In the summer of 2014 Paul left the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse to take on his current position as a Sport Performance Coaching Assistant at Eastern Michigan University. In 2014 Paul was awarded the NSCA Assistantship Award, and was honored as coach of the week by Eastern Michigan University Athletics.
Sean Conaty, SCCC, CSCS, USAW, CISSN - Sean Conaty is currently the Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach at Christopher Newport University. Previously, he was a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Springfield College, where he was in the Graduate Strength and Conditioning program. Prior to Springfield College, he earned his B.S in Kinesiology from East Carolina University (2012). Sean has worked as an intern strength and conditioning coach for Eastern Michigan University, Buffalo Bills, IMG Academy, East Carolina University, Merrimack College, and Fitness Quest 10.
Zack Cook, MA, CSCS, USATF - Currently the Head Strength and Conditioning coach at Virginia State University. Overseeing entire department, primarily working with football. Zack was previously the Head of Sports Performance and Assistant Track Coach at Ann Arbor Pioneer. He is also a Strength and Conditioning Coaching Assistant with Eastern Michigan University. Zack attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he earned his Master of Health and Recreation degree. During his time at UW-Whitewater he participated in Football, was a Football Coaching Assistant, and assisted in training the Football team. Zack has also worked for NX Level Sports Performance a private sector Intern Coach and Milwaukee South High School as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Kurtis Cox, BS - Kurtis is currently working towards his Masters degree in Kinesiology at the University of North Dakota in Grand Fork, N.D.. While at UND, he will be volunteering his time to assist the S&C department. Curtis attended Trine University where he was an assistant strength and conditioning coach working with men’s lacrosse, women's soccer, and tennis. During the summer of 2015 Kurtis Interned at Eastern Michigan University under Ron McKeefery. While there he assisted with football, basketball, and volleyball.
Cadron Davis BS, CSCS - Cadron is currently a Graduate Assistant at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga. He is directed by Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Doscher. Cadron designs and oversees the strength and conditioning programing for men’s basketball, volleyball, Men and women’s tennis. Cadron also helps to assist with redshirts, injured players, and the football programming. Prior to joining the Valdosta staff, Cadron was an intern working under Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Ron Mckeefery and his staff at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. Davis attended Garland Lakeview Centennial High School. Where he participated in football, track, and powerlifting. Cadron got his start in strength and conditioning working at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kan. under Head Football and Strength and Conditioning Coach Andy Sims. Cadron is married to the former Ms. Sherry McDaniel of Anniston, Ala. They reside in Lawrence, Kan. with their five dogs Molly, Maxx, Jake, Smokie and Penny.
T.J. Fleetwood M.S., CSCS, CPT, USAW - Born and raised in Claremore, Okla. and was a multi-sport athlete in high school (baseball, football and powerlifter). Past strength and conditioning intern at Tulsa University, Eastern Michigan University and Northeastern State University (D-II). Currently at Tahlequah High School (Okla.) coaching varsity football receivers, assistant varsity baseball and assisting with the football strength and conditioning program.
Nick Gaujanian BS, CSCS - Nick enters his first season as a strength & conditioning graduate assistant at Houston Baptist University. He arrived at Houston from Eastern Michigan University where he was the strength and conditioning intern from January 2015 through July 2015 working under Ron McKeefery where he assisted with football, basketball, volleyball and various other Olympic sports. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from EMU in Exercise Science in August 2015.
Thomas Higgins, BS* - Thomas is currently playing linebacker at Mercyhurst University. Thomas was previously an intern at Eastern Michigan University May 2015-July 2015 working with football, basketball, volleyball and other various Olympic Sports. Thomas also interned at Lewis Fitness and Performance from May until Aug. of 2015. Thomas is CPR/First Aid certified by the American Red Cross. Thomas will graduate from Mercyhurst with a BS degree in Exercise Science in 2017.
J.C. Hull B.S., CSCS - J.C. Hull is a Graduate Assistant at Eastern Michigan University Sports Performance. Responsible for assisting with football, overseeing soccer, and rowing. JC previously interned with the Missouri Athletic Performance Staff and working towards his certifications for the NSCA and CSCCA. Previously, he was an intern for Coach Ron Mckeefery at Eastern Michigan University where he worked with a variety of teams and completed Coach Mckeefery’s Intern curriculum. Prior to Eastern, he earned his B.S. in Exercise Science while graduating with distinction from Ottawa University, Kan. (2013). During his time at Ottawa he played football for four years and was a student assistant coached for his final year in school.
Daniel Lopez, BS - Daniel Lopez earned his Bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Central Michigan University (2014) in Mount Pleasant, Mich. While at CMU, Daniel was a member of the lacrosse team for 2 seasons where they made the conference playoffs in each of those seasons. Upon graduation Daniel began working in the private sector as a personal trainer working at various commercial gyms. This experience gave him the opportunity to work with a variety of clients ranging from preteen to the elderly. In the Spring of 2015 Daniel accepted an internship with the Sports Performance department at Eastern Michigan University under Coach Ron Mckeefery working primarily with Football, and various Olympic sports. After completing the internship in April, Daniel stayed on with the staff at EMU working with Football. Daniel is a Professional member of the NSCA and is actively pursuing his CSCS (pending Oct. 20, 2015).
Bobby Melanson MS, CSCS, USAW, - Bobby arrived in August of 2015; currently an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. My primary responsibilities involve overseeing the men and women’s basketball programs. I am also responsible for assisting in the implementation of the strength and conditioning programs of football, baseball, softball, track and field, volleyball, cross country, and men and women’s tennis. Prior to my arrival at APSU, in May of 2015, I worked as an intern at Eastern Michigan University where I was responsible for assisting in the implementation of the football strength and conditioning program. At EMU, I also had the opportunity to assist with all Olympic sports such as wrestling, volleyball, rowing, swimming and dive, soccer, softball, and men and women’s basketball. In May of 2008, I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Heath and Human Performance from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. In May of 2015, I graduated from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La. with a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology and Wellness. During my time at LSUS, I began competing as a Weightlifter. In April of 2012, I was given the opportunity to work as an assistant wrestling coach / Strength and Conditioning Coach at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La. During my time here, I was responsible for the wrestling and men and women’s soccer programs.
Garrett Mize BS, USAW, FMS, Ignition, NASE - Garrett is currently an assistant Strength coach at Western Carolina University. In 2014 Mize interned under Coach Ron McKeefery at Eastern Michigan University prior to getting the assistant position with WCU. He attended Archbishop Moeller High school where he earned first team all-conference, first team all-city, and honorable mention All-region. He attended Kentucky Christian, where he was a two-year starter and academic all-conference, and academic all-American for the football team. His first year out of school he stayed on at KCU and coached inside linebackers, and assisted in the weight room. He then has done internships for Akron, Mount saint Josephs, and Ignition APG. He also spent a season with Lakota High School basketball programs while interning at MSJ.
Tony Rouse, BS, CSCS - Tony Rouse currently serving as the defensive line/head strength and conditioning coach at Valparaiso University beginning in the 2014. Rouse served as the strength and conditioning/defensive line coach at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich. from 2011-2013 after completing an internship in the same field with the University of Michigan football team in 2010. Prior to his time at Concordia University, Rouse was the head strength and conditioning/defensive line coach at Birmingham Groves (Mich.) High School for six seasons from 2006-2011.The Michigan native most recently oversaw strength, speed, and conditioning workouts for the Eastern Michigan University football and baseball teams during an internship there. Rouse earned his Bachelor degree from Oakland University in 2006 and a degree in secondary education from Madonna University in 2008.
Josh Shifferd MS, CSCS* - Josh is currently an athletic assistant strength and conditioning coach at Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga. There, Josh oversees strength and conditioning for Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Golf, and Men’s Soccer. He also assists with 8 other teams and is working towards his CSCS certification. Josh earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from Michigan State University in August of 2011. He went on to earn his Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology from Eastern Michigan University in May of 2015. While attending EMU, Josh interned for the Sports Performance staff under Coach McKeefery from August 2014 through August 2015. While at Eastern, Josh worked with football, basketball, and various other Olympic sports. Josh also performed an internship at State of Fitness in East Lansing, Mich. from May 2011 through August 2011.
Josh Schillim BS* - Josh is currently completing his undergrad degree at Trine University (Angola, Ind.). Josh most recently interned for Eastern Michigan University Sports Performance department under the guidance of Coach Ron McKeefery (Summer 2015). Additionally, he interned for Barwis Methods under Marcus Kinney during the summer of 2014 at East Grand Rapids High School as well as the Summer of 2015 at the Plymouth training facility and various high schools around the area during that time. During the Spring of 2015 coordinated the conditioning for women's tennis at Trine University.
Daniel Vega, MS, CSCS - Daniel Vega is in his first year as an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the New York University Department of Athletics. Vega came to NYU after spending five months as an intern strength and conditioning coach for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. While there, he was responsible for maintaining the upkeep of the weight room and aiding the strength and conditioning staff with off-season training. During the summer of 2014, Vega interned under Coach Ron McKeefery at Eastern Michigan University. While there, he assisted in implementing a nutritional program and a training program for the college’s football team and Olympic sports. Preceding that internship, Vega spent two years working as an intern and as an assistant strength and conditioning coach/graduate assistant at Springfield College. During that time, he designed training and conditioning programs for five of the college’s varsity sports: men’s volleyball, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross-country, and women’s gymnastics. Vega was also responsible for assisting in the coordination of internships, modifying programs for injured athletes and the Functional Movement Systems (FMS) screening. Vega served as an intern at the Reach Your Potential organization in 2013 and at Fast Lane Sports Performance in 2012. A 2013 graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Exercise Science, Vega went on to earn a Master’s of Science degree in Applied Exercise Science: Strength and Conditioning from Springfield in 2015.
Stephen Whalen MS, CSCS, SCCC - Stephen Whalen currently serves as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Texas at Austin where he oversees the development of the baseball program. Stephen started at Texas as a graduate intern in August 2014 working with baseball, softball, women’s tennis, rowing, and cheer. In January 2015 he was hired as a part-time assistant working primarily with baseball. From May 2014 to August 2014 Stephen worked at Eastern Michigan University as an intern under Coach Ron McKeefery and his staff. Other strength and conditioning experience includes time as volunteer strength and conditioning coach from March 2014-May 2014 at Deer Park High School in Houston, TX, working with a variety of sports. Stephen played professional baseball for four and half years. Preceding that, he played baseball at The University of Houston as a third baseman and pitcher in 2005 and 2006. He then went on to pitch two years at The University of New Orleans in 2007 and 2008. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from The University of New Orleans and is currently working on his Masters of Science in Kinesiology at A.T. Still University.