June 27, 2011
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Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — There is a sign in the Hawkeye weight room that reads — Consistency is the mark of a Champion. It’s simply six words that would look great on a t-shirt, but JC Moreau will tell you it’s more than just coach-speak, and it needs to resonate in the student-athletes’ mind now more than ever as some Hawkeyes navigate the summer months with little routine or supervision.
“We think the athletes that really buy into that philosophy, believe it and live it, are the most successful and the ones that go on to memorable careers,” said Moreau, who has served as the UI Director of Strength and Conditioning since 2007. “This time of year is as important as any other time of year.”
The Iowa women’s basketball team, according to Moreau, is a great example of a program that has invested in his department’s mission. They consistently invest in each offseason and, as a result, have enjoyed a steady run of success. The Hawkeyes have advanced to the NCAA Tournament every year since 2008.
“There is never a time of year when the women’s basketball team is out of shape,” said Moreau. “They, obviously, work harder certain times of the year, but they understand if they condition year round they won’t be crushed for a few weeks just to prepare for the season.”
The National Strength and Conditioning Association has also taken notice of the Iowa women’s basketball team. Back in March, Kamille Wahlin became the second Hawkeye in as many years to be named a NSCA All-American. Kachine Alexander earned the honor in 2010.
Wahlin’s defining trait is her consistency, according to Moreau, but he also credits today’s student-athlete with becoming more inquisitive and knowledgeable about their workout routine.
“They want to know why,” he said. “It isn’t just a ‘do it because coach said so’ mentality. There is a certain amount of that, obviously, but respect has to be earned, it isn’t just automatic. They hold each coach accountable, and that is a good thing.”
With that continuing education in mind, Moreau began publishing a strength and conditioning newsletter to help educate the Hawkeyes and keep their minds focused on his department’s mission.
“The more often they can think about training and nutritional recovery tips the better,” said Moreau. “It’s not something we talk about formally once or twice a year. We talk about nutrition daily because they really can’t hear it enough. We need them to value its importance so it can sink in and benefit their training.”
Moreau says this time of year nutrition is as important as anything. The student-athlete schedule lends itself to recovery in the summer, and those who take advantage of this time will be rejuvenated and ready to go when they return to Iowa City.
“During the school year the student-athletes’ schedule really makes it tough to get enough sleep and eat properly,” he said. “They have to plan and prepare in order to do those things correctly. This time of year they don’t have to do as much planning and preparing. They should be able to eat well, get enough rest and still put forth the effort.”
Training camp for fall sports begins in August, and when the Hawkeyes return to campus, they’ll enjoy a newly renovated 11,000-square foot strength and conditioning facility inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Until then, Moreau wants the student-athletes nourishing their bodies.
“The biggest thing is they take advantage of this time of year and be ready to go for the start of the school year.”
The strength and conditioning newsletter can be found at hawkeyesports.com. The webpage also includes nutrition information, the strength and conditioning mission statement, and departmental news and staff information.
To read the latest strength and conditioning newsletter click HERE.