Who Are you?

My name is Willie Watkins and I am the St. Luke’s Sports Performance Coach at Stroudsburg High school.

Why did you decide to become a strength coach?

I played sports my entire life and I knew when choosing a career that I wanted to choose something that allowed me to stay close to sports.

Why did you chose to work for Stroudsburg?

Stroudsburg High school was assigned to me by St. Luke’s, but I’m glad they put me here. I have been enjoying my time so far.

If you went to college, which college did you go to and for what?

I did undergrad at East Stroudsburg University in Athletic Training, and I did my master’s at Liberty University in Human Performance- Strength and Conditioning.

What is the most important part of your job?

The most important part of my job is developing a culture in Sports Performance program that students want to  be a part of. One where kids look forward to training with me and their teammates in the high schools facilities, as apposed to going to outside sources.

What motivates you the most in life?

My desire to be the best coach I can be and positively impact as many student-athletes in the area that I can.

Who is your role model?

My mother, her work ethic and commitment to her kids and family are qualities that I’ve always tried to embody through life.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I call it the process. I feel like the process of going through things that are uncomfortable at first but become easier over time is one of the most rewarding aspects in sports and training; making each athlete a better version of themselves.

What makes an athlete easy to coach?

Being committed, having a good work ethic, being open to coaching and critique, and being a respectful person.

What is the thought process behind your work outs and routines?

Developing the fastest, most explosive, most resilient athletes in the EPC. Everything we do is geared to being faster, more powerful, and mentally tougher than anybody we face during the competitive season.