From Trainer to Teacher: How the University of Denver Became the Heart of My Coaching Journey
Every career has a turning point. For me, that turning point was the moment I arrived at the University of Denver. Before DU, my world revolved around training. I worked with athletes in sports rehab, helping them rebuild their strength and watching them return to the sport they loved. It was meaningful work, and it taught me how powerful coaching can be, but deep down I knew I wanted to grow. I wanted to understand coaching on a deeper level that was beyond sets, reps, and workouts. That’s when the University of Denver’s Master of Arts in Sport Coaching (MASC) program entered my life.
Becoming a Student Again
Starting the MASC program was the spark I didn’t know I needed. Between the great faculty, evidence-based coursework, and hands on applied learning, the program pushed me to expand my identity from simply being a trainer, to becoming a coach who understands systems, leadership, athlete development, and long-term planning. I strengthened my coaching philosophy, learned how to break down movement, communicate better, build training cycles and approach coaching as both a science and an art. Most Importantly, DU gave me a community, people who really challenged, inspired, and pushed me on and off the coaching floor.
Opportunities That Opened Doors
The MASC program didn’t just help me grow; it opened doors that presented opportunities I never expected. Through DU, I was given the chance to step into multiple internships, coaching environments, and professional networks that helped elevate my career. I gained real experience with real athletes, using real coaching tools. With all the experience gained, my biggest milestone came when DU offered me the chance to step onto campus again, not as a student, but as an instructor.
From the Classroom to the Front of the Room
Teaching at DU was a full-circle moment. I had gone from working as a young trainer, to developing into a professional coach through DU, to doing my part and guiding the next generation of students in the same environment that shaped me. Being in front of my own classroom, teaching students, breaking down movement and helping them understand training principals was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The same university that refined my coaching helped me give back in the best way possible.
My DU Difference
As I look back and reflect on my journey from training athletes on the gym floor, to earning my master’s degree, to teaching future coaches, it’s clear how big of a role the University of Denver played in every step. They didn’t just educate me; they elevated me which helped to accelerate my career. I was connected with people, opportunities, and experiences that I’ll carry for the rest of my life. If you’re someone passionate about sport, coaching leadership, or athlete, development,
DU has the tools, community and support to help you build something bigger than a career, something more meaningful because I am living proof of what that path can look like. My story is just one example of what’s possible.
