These days, no matter the level of competition, coaches are seeking maximum performance from each of their players.  Coaches understand that performance does not come from merely practicing with the ball – the best players are the ones who have the endurance and fitness to run all day and handle the physical demands of the sport.

Perhaps no one better understands that than Mark Verstegen, one of the featured clinicians at the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City.

An internationally-recognized leader and innovator in the world of athletic performance training, Verstegen is founder and president of Athletes' Performance, which has set the standard for providing athletes with cutting-edge training based on the latest in sports science. Verstegen is sure to have a large crowd when he shares the keys to “Creating High Performance: The Fundamentals for National Teams through Youth Systems.”

Mark Verstegen’s Session at the 2012 NSCAA Convention
Date: Thursday, January 12
Time: 2:15-3:15pm
Topic: “Creating High Performance: The Fundamentals for National Teams through Youth Systems”
Location: Convention Center Exhibit Hall E
View the full 2012 NSCAA Convention Schedule here.

In addition to founding and managing Athletes’ Performance, Verstegen also serves as Director of Performance for the NFL Players Association; supports the German National Soccer Team in its strength and conditioning efforts and serves as a consultant for SKLZ and adidas in developing their strength, conditioning and soccer products.  He also directs a team of performance, nutrition and rehabilitation specialists who train elite athletes, including members of the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team, Everton F.C., as well as Major League Soccer’s Chivas USA, Sporting Kansas City and the newly-crowned champion LA Galaxy.

“At Athletes’ Performance,” said Verstegen, “our love for the game of soccer runs deep. From supporting the newly-crowned champion LA Galaxy to working with Jürgen Klinsmann and his staff on the U.S. National Team to local high school and college athletes, we are proud to deliver proven, cutting-edge techniques to help soccer players get stronger and faster on the pitch while reducing their injury risk and daily aches and pains.”

Athletes' Performance has trained many of the world’s top athletes at its state-of-the-art facilities, where Verstegen and his team have implemented many of his unique and breakthrough concepts in athletic performance. AP has trained five of the last six No. 1 overall picks in the NFL draft, including 14 first-round draft picks in 2011 alone, along with countless champions in baseball, soccer, hockey, basketball, golf and tennis. Athletes’ Performance operates four premiere athlete training facilities, located in Phoenix, Ariz.; Gulf Breeze, Fla., at the Andrews Institute; Frisco, Texas, at Fieldhouse USA; and at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

Verstegen began his coaching career at his alma mater, Washington State University, before completing his master's degree in sport sciences at the University of Idaho. He became Assistant Director of Player Development at Georgia Tech, where he implemented innovative and successful performance programs for football, men's basketball and golf.

In 2004, Verstegen authored his first book, Core Performance (Rodale Press), which reached the top 25 on Amazon within six weeks of its release and has sold more than 100,000 copies. Verstegen subsequently launched four additional books: Core Performance Essentials (2006), Core Performance Endurance (2007), Core Performance Golf (2008) and Core Performance Women (2010). His widely-acclaimed Core Performance system also is available online through interactive programs, at CorePerformance.com and through leading-edge corporate wellness solutions through coreperformancewellness.com. 

Verstegen and Athletes' Performance consult for high performance companies including adidas, EAS, Gatorade, Keiser, SKLZ, Intel,  Power Plate, Axon Potential, Sheraton and Tignum, helping them with product and program inspiration, development and testing and consumer marketing. In his role with NFLPA, Verstegen focuses on player safety and welfare. He's regularly interviewed by publications for training insight and is a sought-after industry speaker who regularly presents at the leading conferences in the field.

Verstegen’s direct involvement with US Soccer and the full national team makes his session a ”can’t miss” at this year’s NSCAA Convention.
Other coaches conducting sessions in Kansas City include: Tom Byer, Jim Cassell, Mike Curry, Theresa Echtermeyer, Jill Ellis, April Heinrichs, Schellas Hyndman, Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, Kevin McGreskin, Tom Sermanni, Sam Snow, Taylor Twellman, Peter Vermes, Frank Wormuth and Eric Wynalda.  Click here to learn more about them.



Click here to learn more about this year’s NSCAA Convention in Kansas City.

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