I’m Ross, the new Director of Healthy Living for the Portage Town-ship YMCA. I’m VERY excited to be here and wanted to briefly introduce myself to you all.
I’m originally from Valparaiso, but am just returning to the area. Before coming here I worked for the Fallbrook YMCA in Lincoln, NE as a Person-al Trainer, Wellness Specialist, and Group Exercise Class Sub. Prior to that I was a Graduate Assistant at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE where I studied and obtained my Master’s degree in Exercise Science. I’m also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the Na-tional Strength and Conditioning Association.
In talking to me you’ll find that I love sports, especially track & field. I love coaching it and love the sport as a whole, so this coming year I will also be working with the Valparaiso University Track & Field Team as an Assistant Throws Coach. This past year I was a Volunteer Assistant Coach for The University of Nebraska Track & Field Team where we won the Big Ten Men’s Outdoor Conference title! (GO BIG RED!) Before coaching I was an athlete myself, becoming a 4-Time NCAA All-American and qualifying for the 2012 US Olympic Trials. But, I was also a 2-Time NCAA Academic All-American, so no “dumb jock” label for me!
Currently I reside in Valparaiso with my fiancé, Victoria, whom I will wed this coming October. A thrower herself, she threw for Nebraska while I was throwing for Wayne State and was even the Big 12 Champi-on in the Hammer Throw! (AND SHE’S CUTE TOO!) She’ll be teaching middle and high school science this next year in Griffith while I’m here and coaching for VU. In our spare time we like to compete in the Scot-tish Highland Games and see our family and friends.