Coach Paul Sparks has served as a Sports Scientist and Strength Coach in a variety of settings including Division I Collegiate Athletics and most recently for the US Army Special Operations Command. Coach Sparks has worked in the fitness and Strength & Conditioning field for over 10 years and possesses a Master's Degree from the University of Alabama.

Author: Cal Dietz

Cal Dietz has been the Head Olympic Strength and Conditioning coach for numerous sports at the University of Minnesota since 2000. Since Dietz’s return to Minnesota he has developed the Strength and Conditioning Programs and overseeing the daily progress in Men’s Hockey from 2000-present, Men’s’ Basketball from 2004-2010, Women’s Hockey from 2003-present, Men’s Golf from 2000-present, Women’s Golf from 2006-present Men’s Swimming from 2000-Present, Track and Field from 2000-present, Baseball from 2000-2007, 2010 -present, and Wrestling from 2000 to 2004. During his tenure, Dietz has trained: a Hobey Baker Award winner, two Big Ten Athletes of the Year, athletes that have achieved 500 All-American honors, 35 Big Ten/WCHA championships teams and 11 NCAA Team Champions, and 13 teams finish in the top four in the nation. He has consulted with Olympic and World Champions in various sports and professional Teams and athletes in the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, and Professional Boxing.

Editor and Contributor: DeRick O’Connell

DeRick has served in many leadership roles as a Regional Director of Sports Performance, Head Strength Coach and Senior Strength Coach in both private and corporate settings. He has worked with athletes on over 35 professional teams and 60 Division 1 teams. He was a member of the Medical Advisory Board in a joint venture between Hackensack University Medical Center and the New York Giants. DeRick has made multiple stops with the Strength and Conditioning Department at the University of Minnesota where he currently is. He is also the Performance Manager for Team Gomez, professional fight team, and Director of Sports Performance at Breck School.