Strength and Conditioning: Open Forum
Jim Lathrop is in his sixth year as director of strength and conditioning after seven years as strength and conditioning coordinator. His responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operation of the entire strength and conditioning program as well as designing and implementing training programs for football, men's and women's track and field, and wrestling. Before coming to Purdue, Lathrop served as head strength and conditioning coach at Wyoming from 1993 to 1997. He was honored as the Western Athletic Conference strength and conditioning coordinator professional of the year in 1996. Lathrop was at Georgia Tech from 1988 to 1992, as assistant coordinator from 1988 to 1990 and director from 1990 to 1992. The Yellow Jackets claimed the 1990 national championship by defeating Nebraska 45-21 in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Lathrop had a brief stint at California in 1987. A native of Omaha, Neb., Lathrop earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1983 from Northwest Missouri State, where he was a football letterwinner as an offensive guard. He earned his master's degree in physical education from Missouri in 1986 while serving as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach from 1983 to 1986. He later was a part-time assistant in 1986 and 1987. Lathrop (born Aug. 13, 1961) and his wife, Elizabeth, have a son, Alex, and a daughter, Katrin.
