Jun 10, 2025OK State’s HPNRI hosts strength & conditioning clinic for high school coaches
More than 40 Oklahoma City Public Schools coaches gathered last Wednesday for a high-impact strength and conditioning clinic hosted by Fields & Futures in collaboration with the Oklahoma State University Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI), OKCPS and the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League.
Led by OSU Athletics’ Director of Strength and Conditioning, Rob Glass, and HPNRI members, the clinic was more than a training session; it was an investment in the people shaping the lives of student-athletes across Oklahoma City’s urban core.
Research continues to show that physical activity, and sports in particular, can play a critical role in personal development among youth, positively influencing self-esteem, goal-setting and leadership skills. But the evidence is clear, the quality of coaching is one of the most important factors in unlocking those benefits.
That’s why this clinic happened.
“This is a classic example of how we operate at
Fields & Futures,” said Dr. David Crynes, executive director of the organization. “We thrive on being the connective tissue bringing together programs and partners who are already doing great work and making something even more impactful.”
Founded in 2012 by Tim and Liz McLaughlin after touring neglected OKCPS athletic facilities, Fields & Futures has completed 71 field projects across the district, totaling approximately $35 million. In 2022, the organization pivoted its mission by shifting from building athletic fields to building teams by increasing student participation in sports.
This starts with equipping coaches.
Glass, a member of the strength and conditioning ECHO, kicked off the clinic in the classroom sharing simple in-season and off-season workouts and strength training plans for coaches to replicate with their football, volleyball, golf, cheerleading and basketball teams. He then led a hands-on demonstration in the weight room focusing on the basics of safe and proper lifting techniques.
This interactive format allowed coaches to ask questions in real time about specific techniques or how plans could be tailored to their athletes, equipment or sport.
“I greatly appreciated coach Rob Glass and the rest of the OSU team coming out and sharing their knowledge and resources with us high school coaches,” said Steven Slattery, track coach at Santa Fe South. “The information provided was not only a great refresher, but also helped establish a foundation from which to build a solid strength and conditioning program.”
This is a portion of a press release from Oklahoma State’s assistant director for system communications, Cody Cramer. To read the full story, click here.
