Dr. David Szymanski, associate professor of kinesiology at Louisiana Tech University and strength and conditioning coach for the Louisiana Tech baseball team, has been reelected to a second term as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Szymanski, who was reelected during the NSCA’s national conference in Las Vegas, Nev earlier this month, has served on the NSCA Board since 2011 including a term as vice president from 2012 to 2013. He has also held seats on the NSCA Board’s Sponsorship Strategy Group, Executive Council for the Baseball Special Interest Group and served as Liaison to the Special Interest Groups for Baseball, Youth, Fellowship Committee, and Technology Department and the State/Provincial Director of Louisiana. “Being on the Board of Directors of the NSCA allows me to be on the cusp of the decision making processes of the NSCA as it moves forward in its growth and development as the world’s leader in strength and conditioning,” said Szymanski. “It will allow me to represent this association in the states as well as internationally to deliver the message of bridging the gap between science and practical application of strength and conditioning.” In addition to his reelection to the NSCA Board, Szymanski was extended invitations from organizations in China, Japan & Italy to visit and conduct strength and conditioning clinics. “These invitations could allow Louisiana Tech’s kinesiology program to be highlighted around the world and provide interest that it may not otherwise receive for its undergraduate and graduate programs,” Szymanski said. “I hope this will attract more outstanding students to enroll in Louisiana Tech’s kinesiology program at both the undergraduate and graduate level.” Szymanski hopes to assist the Board in making good decisions that allow the NSCA to stay at the forefront of all that is going on in the strength and conditioning world, which is very diverse and ever changing. He said he also wants to help members of the NSCA by creating partnerships with health clubs, sports organizations, professional sport teams, colleges, high schools and middle schools to further their professional career opportunities and to encourage these entities to hire performance coaches that hold NSCA certifications. “For our current students at Louisiana Tech, this position on the NSCA Board shows that when someone works hard, has a passion for what they do, and gets actively involved, they can be greatly rewarded by having the opportunity to represent an association’s membership. It also shows that Louisiana Tech’s kinesiology program is a strong academic program that has high standards, provides an excellent education, and outstanding practical experiences.” Szymanski, who holds the Eva Cunningham Endowed Professorship in Education in Louisiana Tech’s College of Education, specializes in exercise physiology. He earned his Ph.D. in exercise physiology from Auburn University in 2004 and his research interests include baseball/softball bat swing and batted-ball velocity, baseball and throwing velocity, sports performance, and body composition. Past academic and university honors for Szymanski include the University Senate Chair Award (2013), Virgil Orr Undergraduate Junior Faculty Award (2008) and the College of Education’s Outstanding Faculty Research Award (2007, 2008.) He also served as president of Louisiana Tech’s University Senate for the 2011-2012 academic year. Szymanski is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction as well as a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus for having been a strength and conditioning coach for over 20 years. He is also an NSCA Fellow – an honor reserved for professionals whose frequent and sustained contributions to the profession have promoted the goals and activities of the NSCA.