Performance Innovation Team
Mike Stella, MEd, CSCS, RSCC, USAW, PES, CES, ISSA-SSC
Owner, Director of Athletic Performance Innovation
Mike is the owner and Director of Athletic Performance Innovation, where he advises on and develops programs for schools, organizations, and individuals regarding anything from training to adapted physical education. Mike has 15 years coaching experience in strength and conditioning and football, 11 years managerial experience between the collegiate and business setting, as well as 8 years experience in education. Mike started training to build his body and mind after realizing that being born with cerebral palsy would not define his very nature. Cerebral palsy was supposed to confine his abilities to a wheelchair and his education to that of high school. However, he ran while playing football in high school and graduated from Penn State University while playing an intricate part in the daily operations of the football team. His passion lies in heavy, old school training that builds strength, power, speed, and flexibility. Mike’s background in overcoming a disability gives him a unique perspective on how and why we train. Mike’s main objective is to inform, educate, coach, and train any athlete who wants to be the strongest competitor mentally and physically on and off the field.
Education:
Penn State University, BA
Plymouth State University, MEd
Registrations and Certifications:
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC)
United States Weightlifting (USAW)
Certified Sports Performance Coach (USAW)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)
Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
International Sports Science Association (ISSA)
Specialist in Strength and Conditioning (SSC)
Josh Myers, BS, CSCS
Coordinator of Athletic Performance
Josh Myers, Stella Strength and Conditioning’s coordinator of athletic performance, has a passion for the process of getting stronger and pushing athletes both mentally and physically. He also pushes himself in his own training to become better each day. Josh’s training roots are based in powerlifting, competing for Penn State and acting as a coach. He was heavily involved with the team and competed at the USAPL Collegiate Nationals competition two years in a row, placing both times in the 198lb and 205lb weight classes, respectively. He won 1st place in the 2013 USAPL PA States competition in the 198lb and 220lb combined equipped weight classes.
His educational background is a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Human Movement Science, graduating from The Pennsylvania State University. During his time there, he was afforded the opportunity to act as a strength coach for Penn State Strength and Conditioning. His experience with Penn State Strength and Conditioning allowed him to develop a solid base for coaching athletes, a new appreciation for human movement, and relational skills for the future. Here he began to shape and create a sense of who he is as a coach and gain a set of ideals that surround his own coaching philosophy. These ideals were aided and encouraged by the Penn State Strength and Conditioning mentality of hard work and determination. He was fortunate enough to train the following teams: men and women’s swimming, softball, baseball, men and women’s soccer, track and field, women’s volleyball, men and women’s rugby, lacrosse, and women’s golf.
Education:
Penn State University, BS Kinesiology concentration in Human Movement Science
Certifications:
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Sam MacNicoll, BS, CSCS
Coordinator of Sports Performance
Sam MacNicoll has always had a passion for training and sport. He grew up playing almost every sport imaginable. By high school he narrowed down his athletic focus to hockey and lacrosse. He was the assistant captain for the Londonderry (NH) High School varsity hockey team , and stepped up to become the captain in his senior year. He was also a captain of the lacrosse team and led his team to a state championship victory, earning tournament MVP in the process. His lifting obsession also began early in high school, considering bodybuilding his third sport in the traditional offseason. He then pursued a degree from Keene State College, earning a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science with a specialization in Coaching. While at Keene State, he continued his passion for competitive sport by playing hockey and rugby. As a senior he was a captain on the hockey team and led his team to the national championship tournament for the first time in team history. While at college, he discovered his passion for strength and conditioning after discovering how proper training can lead to increased performance and decreased risk of injury. He began his Strength and Conditioning career interning at Athletic Evolution. From there, he continued gaining practical knowledge through 2 more internships involving himself with Keene State Strength and Conditioning and Total Optimal Performance Strength and Conditioning. Sam believes that all athletes should be challenged mentally and physically to achieve their full potential. The athlete who is best prepared mentally will always arise on top in competition and in life.
Education:
Keene State College, BS in Exercise Science
Certifications:
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Joe MacNicoll, DPT (Candidate), BS, CSCS
Coordinator of Physical Therapy and Preparation
Joe’s love of physical therapy and training stem from the times he spent being an athlete at the high school level playing both Hockey and Lacrosse. He has a thirst for knowledge and since the age of 13, training, fitness, health, and strength are what quenched that thirst. With a major in Exercise Science and a former lacrosse player on the University of New England lacrosse team Joe brings unparalleled knowledge bridging the gap between strength and the movement needed to stay healthy and on the field. During his time at UNE he spent time working in the motion analysis lab working with Mike Lawrence working on force production. Currently, Joe is working towards his DPT at Franklin Pierce and will be coordinating all of Stella Strength’s Physical Therapy needs allowing athletes to stay on the field of play.
Education:
Franklin Pierce, DPT (Candidate)
University of New England, BS in Exercise Science
Registrations and Certifications:
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Ryan Roth,MSN, RD, APRN
Director of Nutrition and Dietetic Research
Ryan is the Director of Nutrition and Dietetic Research. She has 10 years of nutrition experience, specializing in advanced human nutrition, nutrition support, product development and operations management. Her athletic career includes 4 years of college level ice hockey followed by 2 years at the adult select level. She is passionate for living a healthy active lifestyle. Ryan completed her Bachelors in nutrition at University of Rhode Island and her post-graduate training at University of New Hampshire. Her athletic time was spent in the hockey rink where she skated with the URI Women’s Ice Hockey team finishing in the final four all four years of college. Ryan Waters works directly with the creation of year-long systems of success for all Stella Strength athletes. She also coordinates the company’s performance research, undertaking both case studies and peer-reviewed research to help Stella Strength stay on the cutting-edge of sports science. Ryan’s approach to nutrition is balance, variety and wholesomeness. She believes that strength and energy begin with the products you consume.
Education:
University of Rhode Island, BS Nutrition and Dietetics
MGH Institute of Health Professions, BS Nursing
MGH Institute of Health Professions, MSN Nursing
Licenses and Registrations:
Registered Dietitian
Licensed Dietitian
Licensed Nutritionist
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Nurses Association
Steven Boyle
Athletic Advisor – Lacrosse
Steve comes to Stella Strength and Conditioning as an advisor to the specific needs of lacrosse. He advises on the implementation of the training protocol given to the Lacrosse athlete. As a former standout player at Johns Hopkins, Steve brings years of lacrosse knowledge to Stella Strength. Currently, Boyle also coaches at Drexel Universtity in Philadelphia PA after serving as an assistant at Brown for the past three seasons. Boyle serves as the team’s offensive coordinator. The Derry, New Hampshire native was the offensive coordinator at Brown where he assisted with the development of the Bears’ attackmen and midfielders while at Brown. Prior to his arrival at Brown, Boyle was the offensive coordinator at St. Paul’s School for Boys in Baltimore. Boyle graduated from Johns Hopkins in 2010 with a degree in political science. He was a member of the 2007 NCAA Championship team and was awarded the Bob Scott Award given to the school’s top freshman. A three-time All-American, Boyle led the team in scoring as a senior with 32 goals, 23 assists and 55 points. The team’s Outstanding Attackman Award winner in 2009 and 2010, Boyle finished his career with 95 goals, 69 assists and 164 points. He was selected 12th overall in the 2010 Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Boston Cannons and is currently a member of the Rochester Rattlers.
Alan Zemaitis
Athletic Advisor – Football
Alan comes to Stella Strength and Conditioning as an advisor to the specific needs of football. He advises on the implementation of the training protocol given to the football athlete. Zemaitis is a former Penn State player as well as a former member of the National Football League’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Zemaitis graduated from Penn State University with a degree in communications (journalism) and a minor in human development and family studies. He played defensive back for the Nittany Lions from 2001-05 as a scholarship player and was a 2005 Division I Associated Press All-American. He was also a Jim Thorpe semifinalist (2004, 2005) and a three-time All-Big 10 selection. Following the completion of his collegiate playing career, Zemaitis was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He later played with the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. After his playing career came to a close, he served as defensive back coach at East Lake High School (Fla.) and worked at the Schuman’s National Underclassmen Combine as a defensive backs specialist coach and evaluator. Currently, Zemaitis serves as the defensive back coach at Susqhehanna University, where his athletes had the best pass defense in the league.