Lee University Athletic Director Larry Carpenter has named Garrett Ballard Rowland as the department’s first full-time strength coach.
Rowland holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science (2011) from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s Degree of Science in Exercise Sciences and Community Health (2016) - Specialization in Physical Education/Teacher Education from the University of West Florida (Pensacola, Fla.)
He worked from July of 2014 through this past spring as a Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant at the University of West Florida.
While at Ole Miss he served as Strength and Conditioning Administrative Intern, and before deciding to go after his Masters at West Florida, he was a Strength and Conditioning Assistant at Missouri Southern State University.
The Memphis native also did strength and conditioning intern duties at the University of Memphis and Ole Miss.
“We are excited to welcome Garrett as our first full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach,” said Carpenter.
“We contracted the services out for several years and had success but we felt with our move to NCAA Division II, it was time to bring someone onboard to further enhance our program.”
The athletic director added, “Garrett has worked with some of the best coaches in the country and brings some fresh ideas to help our student-athletes. He understands our mission and will be a tremendous addition to our department.”
Rowland said after meeting with the search committee and the coaches, he felt it was clear that this was the place God wanted him to be. “He (God) has given me the ability and I’ve found a place I believe I can help make a difference.”
The strength coach pointed out that the campus is gorgeous and sees Lee as being progressive in its move to D2 and the Gulf South Conference (GSC). “I’ve been impressed with the play of Lee athletic teams in a league with several longtime, established powers,” Rowland commented. “I’ve worked at the DI and D2 levels and I believe that will allow me to bring new and exciting programs to all the athletes.”
Rowland is already at work. Not only is he busy rearranging the weight room in the McKenzie Building, he has been meeting with the coaches, working to schedule times for the athletes to start progressing toward their goals as soon as they arrive on campus.