Every May, in an effort to establish itself as one of the premier strength and conditioning departments in the country, the University of Missouri Athletic Performance Department sets out its annual staff development trip. Over the course of 7 days, the staff will visit coaches and complexes around the country. Each destination has the same objective in mind. To become the best, you must learn from the best.
This years trip brought the staff to, what the Mizzou Athletic PerformanceDepartment regards as one of the top training facilities in the country, Sorinex Exercise Equipment and Athlete’s Arena in Irmo, South Carolina. With the entire strength and conditioning community moving forward at a rapid pace, who better to go and learn from than the staff that is still light years ahead of most of the strength and conditioning industry. During the visit, Sorinex proved itself, not only to be more than just an exercise equipment business, but one of the most versatile training centers in the country.
The Missouri staff stayed in the facility for more than 12 hours without leaving. “We couldn’t believe how much there was to do and learn there,” said Missouri Assistant Athletic Director of Athletic Performance, Pat Ivey. “There just wasn’t an opportunity to leave their facility, not even for a minute, not even to eat lunch. We were almost overwhelmed with how much training knowledge was being shared between staffs.”
The University of Missouri staff wasn’t the only collegiate staff in attendance. The University of South Carolina Strength and Conditioning Coach Dan Austin joined the party as well. “What a humbling environment to be in. So many coaches, with so many ideas and so many experiences being shared. It was awesome!” said Ivey.
The training talk ranged from TENDO units to Functional Movement Screens, from Strongman training to the development of warm-ups. More importantly, information was shared beyond the verbal. What ever was spoken about was done right there in the training center. TENDO Units were played with using different lifts, postural assessments were done on staff members, and 450 lb. anchor chains were drug through the parking lot.
“There couldn’t have been a better environment for learning,” said Missouri’s Director of Strength and Conditioning, Josh Stoner.
The trip was highlighted by a journey over to “The Compound,” the world famous training center of Donnie Thompson. As a world champion powerlifter and a professional physical therapist, Donnie offered a unique frame of reference when discussing training.
“I was very impressed with Donnie’s knowledge,” Stoner said. “The man is more than a powerlifter. His knowledge of life far outweighs his knowledge of training, and neither are to be spoken of lightly.”
After a long week of traveling, the Missouri Athletic Performance Staff left Irmo with more than just knowledge. They left with lasting friendships that stem beyond training.
“There has been a strong bond established between the University of Missouri and Sorinex. We want to thank everyone who touched us on this trip. We were in awe of the humility, respect, and hospitality that was shown to us by the people at Sorinex and Athlete’s Arena. It was truly an unbelievable experience for our staff,” Ivey concluded.