June 24, 2004

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Shawn Gaunt has been named assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Notre Dame. Gaunt will oversee speed training for all of Notre Dame’s 26 varsity sports, as well the strength and conditioning for the school’s track and field teams.

Prior to his appointment, Gaunt served one year as the head speed and strength coach at Kurt Hester’s Speed-Strength Performance Center in Mandeville, La. His responsibilities included the design and implementation of weight training, speed, agility and conditioning programs for athletes ranging from the junior high level to professional status. In addition, Gaunt served as an instructor for correct technique in Olympic Style weightlifting, speed development and agility drills.

Beginning in 1997, Gaunt served as a fitness specialist at West St, Tammany YMCA in Covington, La., where he consulted with athletes and the general public on safe strength and conditioning programs. In 1999, Gaunt was named assistant speed and strength coach at Kurt Hester’s Speed-Strength Performance Center, where he performed the same duties as in his later stint at the center.

From 2001 to 2003, Gaunt was the head graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Tennessee, where he was responsible for designing and implementing the football speed development program. He also served as the head cross country strength and conditioning, assistant strength and conditioning for the baseball and men’s track programs and assisted with the implementation of the football weight training program.

Gaunt earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1999, and a master’s degree in human performance and sport studies from the University of Tennessee in 2002.

In ’02, Gaunt was named a Level One Club coach by the United States Weightlifting Federation and a Level One Track and Field coach by the United States Track and Field Association. He also owns his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Strength and Conditioning Coach (SCCC) certifications. His Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) certification is pending.

“Shawn hiring brings another expert to our staff. It gives us the ability to focus on the needs of the athlete,” Notre Dame strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti said.

“We set out to find someone who had a large amount of experience in speed training and skill development. He’s a perfect fit for our staff.”