UNF Sports Performance Department Announces Improvements, Hirings

A new normal is here in our daily lives, and for student-athletes, coaches and support staff that rings true.

To adjust to the new normal, the University of North Florida Sports Medicine and Strength and Conditioning departments have joined under the Sports Performance umbrella.

The North Florida Sports Performance Department consists of sports medicine, strength and conditioning and the OspreyPERCH staff. OspreyPERCH is a new initiative standing for "Prevention, Early-Intervention, Resiliency through Counseling and Holistic Health". This group's objective is to provide a healthy and optimized experience for the athletic department's student-athletes.

"The athletic department faces new challenges everyday in maintaining the health, safety and success of our student-athletes and staff, and the Sports Performance Department is extremely important in handling those challenges," Director of Athletics Lee Moon said. "These additions and improvements to our Sports Performance Department help us meet our number one priority, which is the health and well-being of our student-athletes."

Sports Performance Mission Statement
The University of North Florida Sports Performance Team's objective is to contribute to the student-athlete's pursuit of peak performance by providing a holistic approach to the physical health and mental well-being of the student-athlete. The sports medicine, strength and conditioning, sports nutrition and sport and clinical psychology departments comprise the Sports Performance Team, emphasizing the integration, collaboration and coordination of services through excellence in communication. Through innovation and a holistic approach, this multidisciplinary team of professionals is committed to assisting student-athletes in actualizing their full potential, reducing the risk of injury, achieving excellence in competition and ultimately having the foremost student-athlete experience.

New Additions to Sports Medicine, Strength and Conditioning
Both the UNF Sports Medicine and Strength & Conditioning teams have bolstered their staff.

The UNF Sports Medicine staff welcomed Ryan LaFoy in August as an assistant athletic trainer. LaFoy most recently served on the University of Alabama Athletic Training staff, working with the Crimson Tide swimming and diving program. LaFoy garnered his master's of science in exercise science from Georgia State University and his bachelor's in athletic training and general health studies from Alabama. LaFoy will assist the Osprey softball and swimming teams.

Alina Verdeja joins the department as an assistant athletic trainer, serving the UNF cross country and track and field programs. A Coral Gables, Fla., native, Verdeja came from the University of Southern Mississippi where she completed two years as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with the indoor and beach volleyball teams, as well as the cross country and track and field squads. Verdeja received her bachelor's degree at the University of Central Florida where she worked with a multitude of athletic teams.

The strength and conditioning department welcomed assistant coach Kylie Katers just prior to the shutdown in March. A native of Green Bay, Wis., Katers last worked as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. At the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse, Katers got her start in the industry and earned her bachelor's of science in exercise and sport science. Another new add to the strength and conditioning team is Taylor Beholz, who serves as a strength and conditioning assistant with the women's tennis, swimming and men's and women's cross country teams.

"We are excited with our growth into the new sports performance model in concordance with the NCAA best practices," Director of Strength and Conditioning Brian Bert said. "The development of our performance team and enhancement in staff continues to gives us the opportunity to serve our athletes at the highest level."

UNF Sports Performance has also been aided by the support from UNF's Nutrition and Dietetics program. Within that program, nutritionist and instructor Jill Snyder has been assisting Osprey strength and conditioning by providing nutritional counseling and education.

Holistic Health with OspreyPERCH
Physical health, success on the field of competition and in the classroom begins with mental health. OspreyPERCH serves UNF students campus wide and provides Clinical Mental Health Counseling student counselors, social work interns and nutrition and dietetics and exercise science graduate student interns.

Program staff serving directly with UNF Athletics in mental training efforts include Dr. Carlene Taylor and Dr. Jessica Stapleton.

Dr. Taylor helped with the creation of OspreyPERCH since joining UNF following more than 20 years of experience in clinical practice. Teaching in the Brooks College of Health, Dr. Stapleton serves as an assistant professor.

A New Normal With Student-Athlete Safety
North Florida welcomed back Fred Burnett to serve as Associate AD for Sports Performance after previously working in a similar role from 2009-16. Burnett, who has worked with Olympic athletes, and has over a decade of experience between stints at the University of Texas and Auburn University, worked in the private sector between 2016-19.

Burnett, in conjunction with head strength and conditioning coach Brian Bert and senior associate athletic director of facilities and operations, Ervin Lewis, have been diligent in ensuring the health and safety of staff and student-athletes with start of the fall semester.

"With the creation of the Sport Performance team we now have a collaborative effort that provides an enhanced experience for the student-athlete," Associate AD for Sport Performance Fred Burnett said.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, UNF has instituted robust weekly COVID-19 testing procedures and daily temperature screenings of student-athletes. Appropriate social distancing and the use of masks and face shields by student-athletes, support staff and coaches are also implemented. Hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout practice and treatment locations, electrostatic sprayers are being utilized and standard cleaning practices have been augmented.

Through the combination of the holistic practices and the extra attention to safety precautions, North Florida is ensuring the success of Osprey student-athletes.

UNF Sports Performance Department Announces Improvements, Hirings

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