Melbourne Native Named Florida Tech Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
By Florida Tech // August 29, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE FLORIDA – After a long journey that included a pit stop in the Midwest, Chris Duguay can now settle back into the place he once called home.
A former prep standout at nearby Melbourne High School, he can trade in his old green and white for crimson and gray after recently accepting the assistant strength and conditioning coach position at Florida Tech.
“It’s been awesome because I’m back home, but it’s more about starting a new chapter – a new beginning,” Duguay said.
“There’s a reason I’m back, and it’s not so much to come home, but to bring back what I’ve learned while being away. I’m now able to share my experiences and impact the lives of student-athletes. To be able to take the lessons I’ve learned and help guide them is what drives me.”
Fairly calm and soft-spoken outside the weight room, the Western Illinois grad hopes to bring his strong sense of urgency and passion to the Florida Tech program – the same type that ultimately drew him into the profession.
“My freshman year of college, I was sitting in a physical education class when I realized I wasn’t being challenged enough and wanted to take things a step further,” said Duguay.
“My goal is to get them to understand that the weight room is not only an extension of the competition field, but also in life – it teaches you lessons,” he stressed. “In the weight room you understand adversity, discipline, doing things correctly. There has to be a certain level of commitment, knowing that there’s a goal we’re all trying to reach.”
“I enjoy finding different ways to manipulate the body, to see changes in athletes. I’ve always had a passion for sports as well, so this was my way to stay connected while helping others achieve their goals.”
In 2014, Duguay worked primarily in an Olympic Strength and Conditioning program at Clemson before completing his Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning at Florida Atlantic.
Most recently, he spent the past year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a widely known hub for NCAA Division I prospects and professional athletes.
Duguay hasn’t had much time to let everything sink in with the fall sports season set to officially open in the coming days, but has been quick to begin instilling a certain culture in the weight room.
“My goal is to get them to understand that the weight room is not only an extension of the competition field, but also in life – it teaches you lessons,” he stressed.
“In the weight room you understand adversity, discipline, doing things correctly. There has to be a certain level of commitment, knowing that there’s a goal we’re all trying to reach.”
Alongside head strength and conditioning coach Ethan Tyler, Duguay will have his hands on a bit of everything, but will be primarily in charge of working with baseball, men’s and women’s rowing, the sprinters on the men’s and women’s track and field teams, and men’s and women’s swimming.
“It’s a blessing to have this opportunity,” he said. “I’m ready to take my experiences and help FIT continue to grow in a positive way.”
