JAMESTOWN, N.D. (UJ) – The University of Jamestown has named Ryder Weischedel as its Director of Strength, Conditioning and Campus Wellness.
Weischedel, who graduated from Jamestown College in 2007, will work with approximately 500 Jimmie student-athletes competing in 17 intercollegiate sports, as well as manage the Foss Wellness Center and Larson Center, while facilitating a campus wellness plan for all students, staff, and faculty. In addition, Weischedel will collaborate with the Kinesiology department to develop a slate of classes and programs that will engage the campus community inside and away from campus.
The Larson Center, built in 1980, has 20,000 square feet of strength and conditioning space. This summer, a 13,000 square feet weight room inside of the Larson Center is undergoing a complete renovation, including the addition of brand new equipment. The Foss Wellness Center, built in 2008 with a lead gift from Drs. Merle L. and Peggy J. Foss, contains 6,000 square feet of space dedicated to campus wellness. The facility is also an outstanding teaching and learning environment for students and faculty involved in physical education.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Ryder and his wife, Alyssa, back to Jamestown,” said UJ Dean of Engagement and Student Affairs Dustin Jensen. “Ryder brings a vision and passion for Jimmie athletics and fits perfectly into the culture we are continuing to build at UJ, which I truly believe our campus will greatly benefit from.
“He is a dedicated alumnus who is passionate about his work, a tireless worker, and has a tremendous track record of developing and motivating players to reach their maximum potential.”
Certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), Weischedel spent the last two-and-a-half years overseeing all aspects of the strength and conditioning program as the Director of Athletic Performance at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.
“I would like to thank Dustin Jensen and the search committee for giving me the opportunity to be able to come back to my alma mater and lead the Strength Conditioning and Campus Wellness department,” said Weischedel. “I am excited for the opportunity to be at a University that has personally helped me develop as a coach and a person.
“The University of Jamestown is a great institution that has an outstanding tradition. Our goal will be to develop each student-athlete physically and mentally to help them achieve at their highest level. We also want to build a campus wellness community within the University to help students, faculty and staff achieve life-long success and well-being.”
“Coach Ryder’s energy was electric and inspiring during the interview process,” said Jenna Doyle, a member of the UJ women’s basketball team. “He made the students and student-athletes who took part want to get to work with him immediately!”
Weischedel, who earned his bachelor of arts degree in Health and Fitness Administration, went on to obtain his Master of Science degree in Sports Psychology in December 2010 from California University of Pennsylvania. While at Jamestown, Weischedel was a second team All-Conference selection and NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete in football. He also qualified for the national tournament and earned NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete honors in wrestling.