IGCT Episode #90: Scott Swanson - Never Stop Learning

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Scott Swanson is in his 14th year as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at West Point.  A 1992 graduate of Wake Forest University, Swanson spent the 1995 and 1996 football campaigns as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Army before departing to serve in the same capacity at Stanford University. He returned one year later in 1998 to take over the Black Knights' head job.

Since his return to the Academy, Army has captured countless league championships and sent numerous teams to postseason competition, while Black Knight athletes have secured a host of All-America certificates since 1998.

Swanson oversees the unique task of training cadet-athletes at West Point. He directs the training of 1,000 athletes, operates three weight rooms and manages five off-site facilities throughout the country during summer assignments.

The Parkersburg, W.Va., native was instrumental in the development of Army's vast strength development center housed in the Kimsey Athletic Center, which opened in April 2003. The Kimsey Athletic Center houses coaches' offices, spacious locker rooms, equipment rooms, an athletic training area, meeting space and an athletic hall of fame area. But perhaps the crown jewel of the building is its 20,000-square-foot strength development center that is under Swanson's direction.

After earning three varsity letters in football at Wake Forest, Swanson moved to the weight room as an undergraduate assistant strength coach. He was promoted to a full-time assistant in 1992 and stayed until 1995, when he left for Army.

From May to August 1994, Swanson was the interim head strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater. Wake Forest had 18 All-Americans during his tenure, the men's basketball squad captured an Atlantic Coast Conference crown and the track team produced national champions in the shot put and discus.

His main duty is overseeing the total strength and conditioning program for Army's 24 intercollegiate sports programs and directly oversees men's basketball and lacrosse.

Swanson is a Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and was named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2005. He is also a CGFI, CrossFit Level 1 instructor and member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Swanson resides at West Point with his son, Thor.

In This Episode We Discuss:

His journey into the Strength and Conditioning field.

The unique challenges of a United States Military Academy.

Nutrition for a place that has weight restrictions.

How he stays connected outside of the weight room.

Best piece of coaching advice he has ever received.

His favorite quote, Book/App/Website recommendation.