MADISON, Wis. — UW Health is partnering with the Madison Metropolitan School District to provide strength and conditioning coaches at the district’s four comprehensive high schools, East, Robert M. La Follette, Vel Phillips Memorial and West, for the next two years.
UW Health has placed nationally certified coaches at each school to work with student-athletes across all sports, providing either hands-on coaching or training plans and follow-up, depending on the sport and student’s availability. The program builds on a long-standing relationship that has seen UW Health provide the district with athletic trainers for practices and games.
The goal of the performance coach program is bigger than simply helping students reach their fullest potential as athletes, according to Romaric Setodji, strength and conditioning coach, UW Health, who has been working with West High School.
High school students are still developing, both physically and mentally. For example, a freshman might not be as strong as an upperclassman; their bodies are still growing, so they need to be trained differently.
“It’s really all about making sure the students have the guidance they need to get the best out of themselves, regardless of their age or ability level,” Setodji said.
Training students-athletes isn’t just about treating injuries or supervising workouts. It also involves ensuring that other factors that influence wellness, like sleep and nutrition, are taken into consideration.
“These kids are pushing their minds to the limit during the day, and their bodies to the max after school and on weekends, but without eating right and getting proper sleep, they can’t be successful, and they set themselves up for injuries or mental health struggles,” Setodji said.
The program was the brainchild of Dave Knight, sports performance program manager, UW Health, and when he reached out to the school district, the idea fit seamlessly with what West High Athletic Director Corvonn Gaines had in mind to better support his students.
“The partnership has been off to a great start, and the students just love Romaric,” Gaines said.
And though Setodji and the student-athletes share a fun rapport, it’s all business when it’s time to get to work, Gaines said.
“The athletes have a lot of needs, both mental and physical, and working with UW Health, we are able to support them in being the best they can be, both on the field or court and behind the desk at school,” he said.
UW Health could expand the program to other school districts in the future, because the health of student-athletes goes beyond sports, Setodji said.
“This is really a public health practice,” he said. “By setting these kids up with good habits at a young age, they can take these things into adulthood to promote good health for the rest of their lives.”
About the Madison Metropolitan School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.