Dr. David Szymanski, associate professor of kinesiology and the Eva Cunningham Endowed Professor in Education at Louisiana Tech University, has been elected to serve on the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Board of Directors. In addition to his election to the Board, Szymanski was also named a NSCA Fellow.  This honor is reserved for professionals whose frequent and sustained contributions to the profession have promoted the goals and activities of the NSCA.  Fellowship is intended to promote excellence and leadership within the NSCA by recognizing high standards and extraordinary professional development. “Being elected to the Board of Directors of the NSCA recognizes my past contributions to the NSCA, indicates that members know who I am from previous presentations and articles, and that they believe I have the member’s best interest at the forefront of my platform,” said Szymanski.  “Professionally, I am now in a position to implement policy change for the betterment of the NSCA members. “Being named a Fellow of the NSCA is the highest honor a member can receive.  Both of these achievements help elevate my academic status as well as Louisiana Tech’s notoriety among those in the strength and conditioning world.” Szymanski, who is Louisiana Tech’s 2011-12 Faculty Senate President, was elected during the NSCA’s Nationals Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada this summer.  The conference assembles top professionals in the field to attend educational presentations and hands-on training sessions conducted by industry-leading coaches and educators. The NSCA is an international nonprofit educational association that serves nearly 30,000 members in 52 countries. Drawing upon its vast network of members, the NSCA develops and presents the most advanced information regarding strength training and conditioning practices, injury prevention, and research findings. Szymanski was the 2008 recipient of Louisiana Tech’s Virgil Orr Undergraduate Junior Faculty Award and the College of Education’s Outstanding Faculty Research Award.  His research interests include baseball bat swing and batted-ball velocity, baseball and throwing velocity, sports performance, and body composition. “My election to the Board will allow me to see all of the opportunities that are available to our students for grants, awards, and presentations,” Szymanski said.  “I would like those students in our department who are interested in the NSCA to take full advantage of all the educational possibilities, so they can grow professionally and personally.” Szymanski says that being a Fellow of the NSCA should also benefit his students by making them aware that they are being educated by someone who is nationally recognized in his field and who is helping to further add to the academic reputation of Louisiana Tech. In addition to his academic credentials, Szymanski is also the head baseball strength and conditioning coach at Louisiana Tech University, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction and a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach with Distinction with the NSCA.