Strength in NU's strength and conditioning

Jeff Kruger, Norwich's strength and conditioning coach, has played a pivotal role in the development of the school's athletes.

"Kruger has always been a big part of our team, he is always willing to help and is very easy to communicate with," said Owen Carpino, 23, a senior Spanish/English major from Nashua, N.H.

Kruger has a specific workout routine, which he tailors for each team. The program is designed to help every athlete reach his or her maximum potential.

"Since I have been here it seems like coach Kruger has changed up our workout routine every year. I believe our team has gotten better because of it," said Igor Martinez, 23, a senior civil engineering major from Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Kruger has a plan for each team; he structures his program according to the sport. For example, the men's hockey team and men's soccer team have very different training regiments. Kruger makes sure that he is precise as a strength coach, and he designs his workouts accordingly.

"Working with Jeff has been a great experience for me personally," said Joe Young, 19, a sophomore biochemistry major from Langley, Va. "Our soccer team has benefited a great deal from working with Kruger, and he gets the most out of all the athletes and teams here at Norwich."

Coming off a national championship the previous year, the women's hockey team hopes for a repeat.  The Cadets have been working hard in the preseason with help from Kruger.

"Kruger did a great job at getting us in shape in pre-season last year, and I believe that's one of the reasons why we had so much success," said Kayla Lascelle, 20, a sophomore sports medicine major from Cornwall, Ontario. "He's doing the same thing again this year."

"Every summer I meet with the coaches and staff of each team to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the players," said Kruger. "This helps me design a proper workout program that will help the student athlete achieve his or her maximum potential."

The hockey programs for both men and women are very similar, with only a few exercises that are different.

"The hockey program may have similar exercises to the soccer program, but the two in fact are different," said Kruger. "Soccer is in season right now so we focus more on strength and stamina. Whereas hockey is in preseason, so they are doing more weightlifting to increase power."

The men and women's hockey teams each have three workouts a week, which are roughly 90 minutes long. Soccer programs train in Plumley three days a week as well, they also practice as a team every afternoon.

"If I know that soccer has a big game coming up then I would rearrange the workout so that we didn't do legs before the game and concentrate more on upper-body exercises so they are not fatigued," said Kruger.

Kruger is always the first one in the gym each morning and the last to leave each day. His dedication has earned the respect of the athletes he trains.

"Everyone on our team loves Kruger," said Anthony Amell, 20, a sophomore engineering management major from Northfield, Vt. "Even though the workouts might be a pain sometimes, he seems to always find a way to make it fun for us."

Kruger has a selected group of student trainers who help him out. It is difficult for Kruger to be in two places at once, since there is usually more than one team working out in the gym.

"I have a great staff of student trainers who help me out throughout the week. Some of them have been with me for a few years and some are new this year.  They do a fantastic job and get a lot of respect from the players,"said Kruger.