DUDLEY, Mass. (12/4/2025) - Nichols College Strength and Conditioning graduate assistant Liam Genninger has quickly become a key part of the Athletics Department. His commitment, professionalism, and energy are felt by the student athletes he works with.

Senior field hockey and ice hockey player Taylor Breen captures his impact well, saying, "Coach G has made a huge difference in my development and in our team. His professionalism, knowledge, and genuine care for our improvement show every day. He gives us the tools to succeed and takes the time to truly know his players."

Liam grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he attended the Advanced Math and Science Academy in Marlborough.  During his high school years, Liam competed in track and field. After graduating in 2021, he set his sights on Springfield College because of its strong exercise science program. After touring the campus and learning more about the advanced curriculum, he committed to Springfield—where he could also continue competing in track and field.

Throughout his years at Springfield, Liam achieved an impressive list of accomplishments. As a freshman student-athlete, he earned the Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award. During his sophomore year, he completed an internship in the varsity weight room at Springfield, working with a wide range of teams including football, track and field, wrestling, women's lacrosse, women's volleyball, and baseball. This internship gave him his first real look into the coaching side of strength and conditioning, allowing him to learn directly from experienced head coaches and solidifying his passion for the field.

Liam also completed a 400-hour internship at Holy Cross, primarily working with the football program and a private sports performance program. He describes this as a fun and impactful experience where he learned extensively from Chris Grautski, the Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Jeff Oliver, the Head of Olympic Sport Performance. Liam assisted Coach Oliver with private training sessions for athletes ranging from 12 years old to college sophomores, giving him valuable insight into personal training and program structure.

From working in both Division III and Division I environments, Liam noticed that the biggest difference was accessibility—including nutrition support, equipment, and space—though the training structure remained largely similar.

In his final semester at Springfield College, he passed the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam administered by the NSCA. He also coached for the Springfield Junior Thunderbirds, a local hockey organization, and worked for TF Performance, a private training company. Liam graduated in the winter of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, with a concentration in strength and conditioning.

After graduating, his advisor, Adam Feit, the Program Director of Applied Exercise Science, connected him with former Nichols College Strength and Conditioning Coach Justin Ruff. Graduating early positioned Liam perfectly for the role. After completing the interview process, he was offered the position and began in January 2025. Liam explains that this two-year graduate program provides exactly the hands-on experience he needs as he prepares for his long-term goal of owning his own business. He notes that earning his MBA complements his other degrees and sets him up for success in his career path.

Liam highlights the closeness of the Nichols community, noting that student-athletes and staff consistently support one another. Communication is a central value on campus and plays a major role in bringing everyone together. Liam says the best part of his job is his relationship with the athletes. Senior volleyball player Melina Bezati reflects on his impact: "He made a bigger impact on me than he realizes. His positivity turned 8 AM lifts into something I actually enjoyed, which changed the way I showed up as a player and an athlete."

When Liam first stepped into the role, he admits it was challenging at times due to the close age range between him and the athletes. Finding the balance between being a coach and building genuine relationships was something he learned to navigate early on. In his graduate position, Liam takes on many responsibilities—including programming workouts tailored to each team, modifying exercises for injured athletes, and providing guidance on nutrition and sleep habits both in and out of season.

The Strength and Conditioning Department also hosts a large number of interns, and Liam plays a key role in helping develop them. "As an intern myself not too long ago, I understand what it's like to be new to coaching," he explains. "I know the best way to teach them and help them explore whatever they're interested in."

He emphasizes that the skills interns build—such as working with different personalities and creating strong relationships—are transferable to any future job.

As a strength and conditioning coach, Liam has learned the importance of meeting athletes where they are. "It's important for me to understand that these athletes have a lot going on outside the weight room. Even though the weight room is my main focus, they're balancing so much. I can't expect them to bring the same energy every day—they're going to have off days. It's important to meet them in the middle." He adds that showing athletes genuine care and respect help build trust, which in turn makes coaching more effective.

Senior baseball captain Liam Flynn praises Coach Genninger's impact: "Coach G has had a huge impact on my personal growth and the growth of our team. He pushes each and every one of us to test our limits and get better every day in the weight room. His constant support motivates us to come in and give it everything we have."

After completing his master's degree, Liam plans to work at the Colosseum Barbell Club in Webster, Massachusetts. This next step will help him move toward launching his own business while continuing to evolve as a coach. Former Nichols Strength and Conditioning Coach Justin Ruff played a major role in Liam's development. "Coach Ruff, Coach Mooney, and I pushed each other to grow in our coaching abilities and confidence," Liam says. He learned the importance of ownership—how taking responsibility not only improves yourself but also elevates everyone around you.

Looking toward his future career, Liam carries forward one guiding message: "Always keep the mission in mind and never lose sight of the vision, or the final outcome won't be what you hoped for."