Challenges facing the strength and conditioning professional
Whitney Rodden has been the Director of Sports Performance at MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2005 and she started the Olympic Weightlifting team in 2020 where she is also the Head Weightlifting Coach. She graduated from MNU in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Athletic Training. She played Softball as well as competed in Olympic Weightlifting during her time there. In 2004 she graduated from Kansas State University (KSU) with a Master of Arts Degree in Education Administration and Leadership where she was also a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at KSU from 2001-2002. Rodden was the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Kansas from 2002-2005. She is in charge of the training programs for Football, Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Volleyball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Golf, as well as oversees the day to day operations of the Weightlifting program. She also oversees her staff who create programs for Weightlifting, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Cheer & Track & Field. While being the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for MNU, Rodden has been a part of the Men's basketball team winning the National Championship in 2007, Women's basketball won the National Championship in 2016, Men’s Soccer team who won the National Championship this past fall and several teams have captured conference titles. She has taken multiple athletes to a number of National Weightlifting meets during her time at MNU and a handful of athletes have come home with a top three finish and her daughter won the National Championship title in 2023 in the 14-15 age group in the 76+ weight class. In 2013 Rodden was one of the coaches selected to help coach the Youth Olympic Weightlifting Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Rodden was nominated and received the 2020 The Hallmark Leadership Award with the Win for KC Women’s Sports Awards — It is presented to a local female inspirational leader who best exemplifies the characteristics of a mentor to female athletes of all ages. Rodden has the following certifications: MSCC, CSCS & USAW National Coach, which she also conducts USAW L1 & L2 certifications. Whitney and her husband Geoff have three children, Cole (17), Kinsley (14) and the late Harper (14 mo).
