Strength and Conditioning - Staff

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Tom Melton

MS, CSCS, USAW

Assistant AD for Athletic Performance/Director of Strength and Conditioning

Tom Melton rejoined the Eagle staff in March 2004 and begins his seventh season as head strength and conditioning coach at Georgia Southern.

Melton, who also carries the title of Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance, coordinates off-season and in-season applications for all GSU teams, and provides a direct strength training leadership role to the Eagle football program. In addition to those responsibilities, he also coordinates team travel and operations.

Melton served as assistant strength and conditioning coach at Georgia Southern from July 1998 to November 1999 and worked primarily with the Eagle basketball, Olympic sport programs, and assisted with football. He then accepted a position as associate head strength and conditioning coach at Colorado State University and remained in Fort Collins until 2002. Melton helped the Rams' football program to three bowl appearances, including two showings in the Liberty Bowl.

Prior to taking over GSU's top athletic performance position, Melton spent two years on the Clemson University staff as assistant strength and conditioning coach where he coordinated and implemented all training activities for the Tigers' Olympic sport programs. During his time at Clemson, Melton coached four strength and conditioning All-Americans.

Before his first stint at GSU, Melton spent two seasons as head strength and conditioning coach at Southern Conference-member Wofford. In addition to working with all Terrier student-athletes, he directed all activities in the institution's fitness center and weight room.

Melton is a 1994 graduate of the University of South Carolina, earning a bachelor's degree in athletic training. Upon graduation, he served two years as a graduate assistant in the USC strength and conditioning program.

The Columbia, S.C., native has worked with 15 teams that have participated in NCAA bowls, tournaments, and playoffs, five of those at Georgia Southern. During his career Melton has coached 12 athletes who have received the honor of strength and conditioning All-American by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, including eight athletes from GSU.

Melton is a member of the NSCA and the USAW. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Certified Club Coach with the United States Weightlifting Association. He is also a certified speed coach through the National Association of Speed and Explosion. In 2009 Melton earned his master's degree in kinesiology/coaching from Georgia Southern University.

He has two daughters, Reagan and Kennedy, an a son, T.J.

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MS, CSCS, USAW

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Brandon Howard enters his third year as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Georgia Southern. Howard joins the Eagles staff following two years at Utah State.

Howard will assist with the Eagle Football and Baseball programs, and work directly with Men's Basketball, Track and Field, Women's Soccer, and Golf teams.

As a graduate assistant with the Aggies, Howard worked with the Football and Men's Basketball teams in addition to working with the Track and Field program, Gymnastics and Women's Basketball teams.

Before Joining the Aggies, Howard was a strength and conditioning intern at his alma mater. While there he assisted with all aspects of daily training for all athletes at ECU. His primary responsibilities included working with the Pirate Football, Baseball, Volleyball, Softball and Cheerleading programs.

A 2005 graduate of East Carolina, Howard was a four-year letterwinner in football for the Pirates. He was named Special Teams captain his senior year and played in the 2001 GMAC Bowl against Marshall.

Originally from Jacksonville, Howard was an All-State football player at The Bolles School. He was named All-First Coast his senior year and also earned All-State honors in weightlifting, as well as All-Region Honors in the shot put and discus.

Howard is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has also received the USA Weightlifting's Sports Performance Coach certification.He received his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology from East Carolina in 2005. He completed his master's degree in Exercise Science from Utah State in 2009.

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MS, CSCS, USAW

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Skyler Pyles enters his third year as a member of the Strength and Conditioning staff at Georgia Southern, and his first as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Pyles joins the Eagles staff after completing his graduate assistantship at GSU.

Pyles will assist with Eagle football program and work directly with the Baseball, Women's Basketball, Volleyball, and Men's Soccer programs.

As a graduate assistant with the Eagles, Pyles worked with the Baseball, Softball, Men's Tennis, Volleyball, and Swimming and Diving teams. With his time at Georgia Southern, Pyles has coached five Strength and Conditioning All-Americans.

A 2006 graduate of Western Illinois University, Pyles was a letterwinner with the baseball program. Prior to finishing his athletic career at Western Illinois, Pyles spent two years competing at Black Hawk Junior College in Moline, Illinois.

Originally from Macomb, Illinois, Pyles participated in the baseball, football, and wrestling programs at Macomb Senior High.

Pyles is certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He is also certified as a Sports Performance Coach through United States Weightlifting Association.

He received his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science from Western Illinois University in 2006 before completing his Master's degree in Kinesiology/Coaching from Georgia Southern University in 2009.

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Graduate Assistant

Katelyn Woolfolk is entering her first year as a Graduate Assistant with the Strength and Conditioning Department at Georgia Southern University.

Woolfolk is a former GSU Swimmer and will work directly with the Georgia Southern Swimming and Diving, Men's and Women's Tennis, and Softball Programs.

Originally from Satellite Beach, Florida, Woolfolk Graduated from Georgia Southern in 2009 with a BS in Kinesiology-Exercise Science. She currently holds two school records as a part of the 200 and 400 yard freestyle relay teams. She was also named Swimming and Diving's Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2009, and is a two time Dedication Award Winner.

Strength and Conditioning Interns/Student Volunteers

Trey Job
Stephen Ashley

Category: Strength & Conditioning

Published on Friday, 29 June 2012 09:11