VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the appointment of Dr. Mike Young as the club’s new strength and conditioning coach.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Young is the co-owner and director of sports performance of Human Performance Consulting’s Athletic Lab, a premier sport science research and athletic development facility based in Cary, North Carolina. The 35-year-old served as Athletic Lab’s strength and speed coach, as well as the lead sport scientist. A recognized researcher, coach, and educator in the United States, his career includes stays as an athlete, sport scientist, and coach at all three United States Olympic Training Centers (Lake Placid, New York; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Chula Vista, California). Young has also served as the biomechanist for men’s and women’s shot putting and high jumping with USA Track & Field.
“Mike is a highly qualified PhD sports scientist who can help us from an exercise physiology point of view,” said Rennie. “He will help plan our sessions and work on our fitness but he is also world renowned for improving people’s strengths and that’s a major part of the game. Working alongside Rick Celebrini and the rest of our staff, Mike can further develop our sports science program and have our players performing at their absolute peak physical levels.”
Young is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist, as well as a track & field and weightlifting coach in the United States. He is only one of two people to be a Level Three instructor in three different event disciplines (sprints, throws, and jumps) with USA Track & Field.
“I’m really excited to join Martin and the rest of the team in Vancouver,” added Young. “Martin and I had a great working relationship in Carolina and I now look forward to continuing that relationship in Vancouver by helping Whitecaps FC increase their performance on and off the field.”
As a world-renowned expert in the field of speed development and conditioning for sport, Young has created programs and training plans for a wide range of sports, including soccer. He has worked with numerous football players in preparation for the National Football League combine, Major League Baseball, and has coached five US national champions and multiple elite level athletes in the sport of track & field. His track & field coaching career included successful spells in NCAA Division I with Ohio University, Louisiana State University, United States Military Academy (Army), and North Carolina State University.
An equally qualified sport scientist and educator, Young was an instructor or professor at Ohio University, Louisiana State University, and University of North Carolina. His research on sprinting, stretching, balance, and throwing activities have been published and presented in regional, national, and international journals and conferences. He has authored two books and written over 20 articles on athletic development in various publications. Young is also one of the most sought after speakers on athletic development, having instructed thousands of coaches in multiple countries over the past five years.
As a student, Young earned an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University, a Master of Science degree in Coaching Science from Ohio University, and a PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Biomechanics from Louisiana State University.
Whitecaps FC 2012 Major League Soccer season tickets start at $329, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, including loge seats and suites, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
