SCC’s Sports Performance Coordinator -- Ethan Banning -- Named Arizona State Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association

Scottsdale, AZ (September 2, 2008) – Scottsdale Community College’s Sports Performance Coordinator, Ethan Banning, was recently named the Arizona State Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) at the National Conference held in Las Vegas.  He stepped into his new role on July 7, 2008.

As State Director, Banning will raise awareness of the importance of having highly qualified and certified professionals working with young athletes.  According to Banning, qualified practitioners will help decrease injuries, promote athletic development, and safely enhance physical preparedness. 

Banning holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certificate (CSCS) in the highest regard, and requires all sports performance coaches at SCC to hold the certificate or be working toward one.  “It’s the most respected certificate in strength and conditioning—it’s the gold standard,” said Banning.    

In order to obtain the CSCS certification, an individual must first have a college degree, and understand the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise techniques, and acceptable practices.  “Individuals who have earned this certification not only know the proper techniques, but know the dangers and how to avoid them,” said Banning.   

The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certificate gives practitioners the opportunity to establish themselves as leaders in their allied health profession and opens doors for themselves professionally.  “When hiring, I seek out CSCS certified strength coaches because they have demonstrated that they possess the knowledge needed to develop sport-specific strength training and conditioning programs,” explains Banning. 

As State Director, Banning will serve as the liaison between the NSCA National Office and current and future NSCA members.  He has already begun planning the NSCA state clinic, and plans to host a number of smaller clinics throughout the year. 

Banning will promote NSCA membership by cultivating new alliances with professionals from the fitness, health, athletic and wellness communities.  “These types of relationships will bridge the gap between science in the lab and practice in the field,” he said.

He has also developed relationships with physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors, and others in the field of human performance.  He works closely with high school and college coaches around the state, as well as with almost every four-year college in the country.  These relationships will help Banning promote NSCA membership and credentials. 

Banning’s experience training athletes began 17 years ago.  During this time period he was captain of his college football team at Eastern Illinois University (a Division 1 team), then went on to play arena football for four different teams over an eight year period, including leadership roles on two world championship teams (1999 and 2001).

Qualifications were key to Banning’s selection as the State Director.  He a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, an active member of the Certified Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, and recognized in Who’s Who of Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

Banning’s career at SCC began in 2004 when he took over as the college’s strength and offensive line coach for the football team.  A year later, he became the college’s Sports Performance Coordinator—his current position--where he directs all aspects of the running, lifting, and athletic development of SCC’s more than 300 student athletes.  

“The fact that Ethan was selected by his peers is a credit to the professionalism that he has brought to Scottsdale Community College,” said Art Becker, SCC’s Director of Men’s Athletics.  “Ethan has done an outstanding job developing the athletes in all of our sports and is an integral part of our coaching team at SCC.”

Banning’s involvement as Director means additional credibility for the SCC athletic department, which will advance recruitment of his student athletes.  Colleges know that athletes who come from SCC have been well trained by certified professionals. 

“Working with certified trainers prepares our athletes to handle the rigors of division 1 athletics,” said Banning.  “Not many community colleges have this level of professional staff as part of their program.” 

He also noted that his athletes learn team building skills and other important practices, which, according to Banning, transcend to real-life ambitions and goals.

SCC’s program is meant to develop skill sets at the highest level for his student athletes.  “We have also created an intern program that helps provide more coaching and teaching for our student-athletes,” said Banning.  “This program will help create better young coaches to carry out my vision as state director.”

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About Scottsdale Community College:
Scottsdale Community College offers over 1,500 academic and non-credit classes each semester. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the campus is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful plant and wildlife. With nearly 12,000 students, Scottsdale Community College is proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in small class settings. From Motion Picture/Television Production and Culinary Arts to Nursing and American Indian Studies, students have a wide variety of programs from which to earn credits for university transfer, launch their careers, train for new ones, or pursue a special interest. The SCC Business Institute offers customized programs to meet the needs of local business. Scottsdale Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

About the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist program:

The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) program was created in 1985 to identify individuals who possess the knowledge and skills to design and implement safe and effective strength and conditioning programs for athletes in a team setting. The credentialing program encourages a higher level of competence among practitioners and raises the quality of strength training and conditioning programs provided by those who are CSCS certified.  Today, more than 21,000 professionals from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds hold this prestigious credential. This diverse group includes strength coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, personal trainers, physicians, chiropractors, researchers, and educators. The CSCS is the only strength training and conditioning certification to be nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and has been nationally accredited since 1993.

To learn about the many academic programs at Scottsdale Community College, call us at (480) 423-6000 or visit our website at www.scottsdalecc.edu.

Media contact:
Denise Kronsteiner
(480) 423-6567
denise.kronsteiner@sccmail.maricopa.edu