Norwich receives newly established NSCA Collegiate Program of Distinction recognition

Norwich University's Strength & Conditioning program has been recognized as a Collegiate Program of Distinction by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), placing the Cadets among the first institutions in the country to earn the organization's newly established designation.

Introduced by the NSCA this year, the Collegiate Program of Distinction recognizes college and university strength and conditioning programs that meet established professional standards in four primary areas: program supervision, coaching mentorship, strength and conditioning program administration, and facility management. Recognition is granted for a three-year period.

Norwich joins the University of Michigan among the early recipients of the new recognition. Michigan, which was selected to pilot the initiative, was announced in July as the first program in the country to receive the designation.

"The NSCA Program of Distinction isn't an award. It's a statement that you're doing this job the right way," said Scott Caulfield, director of strength & conditioning at Norwich. "For us, that means safety is never negotiable, progression is always earned, and our athletes are supported by a staff that holds itself to the highest professional standard every single day.

"That recognition matters because it tells our athletes, our institution, and our profession that we aren't just meeting the bar. We're committed to raising it."

The distinction recognizes the standards and systems that support student-athletes on a daily basis, including professional supervision, health and safety procedures, coaching education, mentorship opportunities, appropriate coach-to-athlete ratios, facility management, and continued involvement within the strength a conditioning profession.

At Norwich, those standards are built into the day-to-day operation of the strength and conditioning program.

The department conducts health and safety meetings with its staff each semester and requires new and returning participants to complete weight room orientation and safety education. Training sessions are structured to maintain appropriate coach-to-athlete supervision, including the NSCA's collegiate standard of no more than 20 student-athletes per certified coach, with additional supervision provided for novice athletes, special populations, and more complex movements.

Professional development is also a central part of the program. Norwich operates a formal strength and conditioning internship experience with a semester-long curriculum covering exercise technique, safety and spotting, testing, program design, periodization, Olympic-style lifting, plyometrics, speed, and agility. Full-time staff members also receive continuing education support and annual performance evaluations designed to guide professional growth.

The staff has remained active within the NSCA through conference presentations, professional development events, volunteer service, mentorship opportunities, and continued pursuit of advanced credentials.

That commitment was highlighted earlier this month when graduate assistants Rhyan Socash and Jacob Parker earned the NSCA's Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach distinction and Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach and Department of Health and Human Performance Lab Coordinator Jess Johnson earned the Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach with Distinction designation.

Norwich's strength & conditioning program also works beyond the University's varsity teams. The staff has provided training support for groups including the Bataan Memorial Death March Team, Ranger Challenge Competition Team, Bodybuilding Club, and Powerlifting Club, while creating opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to observe and learn from certified coaches in the University's training environment.

Norwich has also maintained regular participation in the NSCA All-American Athlete program, nominating approximately 10 to 12 student-athletes annually in recent years.

Facility management and athlete safety are another major component of the distinction. Norwich maintains standards related to appropriate training space, emergency procedures, posted weight room rules, equipment inspection and maintenance, accessibility, environmental conditions, and the equipment necessary to safely train student-athletes across different experience and strength levels.

Alongside Caulfield, the Strength & Conditioning Department's day-to-day operations are supported by Socash, Parker, and Johnson. The facility also has a familiar four-legged presence in Alfie the Mini and River the Golden, two therapy dogs who have become regular fixtures around Norwich Strength & Conditioning. They have recently been joined by G the Golden, a young golden retriever who is currently in training and can often be found tagging along and learning from the group.

The recognition continues Norwich's close relationship with the NSCA under Caulfield, who was hired in June 2021 as the University's first full-time director of strength & conditioning.

Caulfield previously spent 11 years working for the NSCA as its coaching education manager and head strength & conditioning coach. His time with the organization included work at its Colorado Springs headquarters and through a partnership with Colorado College, where he trained the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey and women's soccer programs.

He was named the 2025 NSCA College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year and, earlier this year, was named a fellow of the NSCA, one of the organization's highest professional distinctions. Caulfield has also held several leadership positions within the organization and its foundation, including service as president of the NSCA Foundation Board of Directors.

Since arriving at Norwich, Caulfield has overseen a strength and conditioning operation that supports more than 600 student-athletes while placing a strong emphasis on coaching education, professional development, and athlete safety.

Recognition as an NSCA Collegiate Program of Distinction will remain with Norwich for three years, provided there is no change in the University's verified head strength and conditioning coach. Norwich will also receive a digital certificate, digital recognition badge, and championship-style banner for display in its strength and conditioning facility.

Founded in 1978, the NSCA is an educational nonprofit dedicated to advancing strength & conditioning research and education through professional certifications, continuing education, publications, and other resources for coaches, researchers, educators, performance specialists, and exercise science professionals.