And in the village known as Minnesota State Athletics, in which the football and women's soccer programs simultaneously own #1 national rankings and other teams are enjoying similar notariety, the coaches point to the school's strength and conditioning program as one of the primary reasons its teams rank amongst the nation's best.
Housed in the bowels of Taylor Center, the Minnesota State Athletics weight room spans more than 7,300 square feet under the west end of the building.
Under the guidance of Glandorf, Ohio native Tom Inkrott, who has run the program since the fall of 2009, Maverick Strength and Conditioning's priority is injury prevention. "Along with that," said Inkrott, who graduated from Bowling Green in 2006, "we want to improve our student-athletes' performance each and every year they are here. Thirdly, we'd feel we can have a positive impact on our student-athletes, helping them to realize what they are capable of both in the weight room and outside of it as well."
With 17 squat racks, eight platforms, five lat pull down machines, three sets of dumbells that range from five lbs to 150 lbs, 15 medicine balls, various size bands, three sets of long ropes, a power plate, stationary bikes, three big tires, seven benches, four Russian plyo boxes, three plyo boxes and a vertimax, Inkrott and his staff, have an array of equipment to work with in providing programming for the Mavericks.
"We do have a nice room," said Inkrott. "But the unique thing about exercise and lifting weights is that it helps build self confidence. An attribute our student-athletes can apply on the field, court, ice, track, water, etc. And in the classroom, in their jobs and life adventures."
In addition to Inkrott, the strength and conditioning staff also includes two graduate assistants and three interns.
Matt Margenthaler, who has constructed a 284-111 record in 13 seasons as head coach of the Minnesota State men's basketball program and led the Mavericks to a NCAA DII Elite 8 appearance in 2010-11, says that the school's strength and conditioning program have played a vital role in his team's sustained excellence. "Tom and his staff play a big piece of the puzzle developing elite athletes. It makes them stronger, more explosive and aids is preventing injuries. We couldn't do it without them."
It's great to be a Maverick.
