About Our Internship Opportunity 

Our interns will have the opportunity to get their feet wet in several different areas. These include observation of coaching, coach/athlete relationships, our athlete monitoring process, and annual plan construction, and will become exposed to theory behind what we do here at ETSU. They will be able to help with the testing of our athletic teams as well as learn how to run certain tests/monitoring procedures. 
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We also have resident athletes at our training site for USA Weightlifting, and occasionally have non-resident athletes visit from  Canoe/Kayak and USA Bobsled and Skeleton for testing and training. Two of our faculty are also highly involved in training elite-level athletes in track and field, and golf.

Here at the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, we expect just that: excellence. Interns are expected to go above and beyond with self-motivated initiation in furthering particular interests they may have in a subject. We have great opportunities for interns to get a well-rounded experience in coaching, research, and service.

Apply Now

The Center of Excellence is always accepting intern applications. Deadlines are as follows:

  • April 1 - Summer Internships
  • July 1 - Fall Internships
  • November 1 - Spring Internships

Interest in applying for an internship position? Please submit the following documents to Morgan Pope (popemn@etsu.edu). We look forward to receiving your applications! 

  • 1. Cover Letter
  • 2. Resume
  • 3. Two references

Kind Words from Past Interns

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"Interning here at ETSU with the CESSCE program was an amazing opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business for strength and conditioning/sport science. This program opened up many doors for personal growth and it gave me opportunities to learn about a wide variety of topics that were applicable to enhancing human performance. Working with the CESSCE staff along with the PhD and masters students was very beneficial to expose us to athlete testing and monitoring, in depth research, programming, and coaching. I recently finished my masters program at Carroll University and this internship fine tuned the knowledge and skills I had learned to become a better Human Performance Coach in this field. This internship is truly one of a kind!"

~ Kaleb Burnett, Carroll University
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"The experiences that I have had this summer interning with the CESSCE are priceless. I am so glad that this internship was my first true exposure to sport science, and strength and conditioning. The students and staff working with the interns were extremely knowledgeable, very honest, constructive, and open to any questions that we had. We were given plenty of opportunities to challenge ourselves through coaching, programming, and research. We attended lectures on periodization, programming, research, muscle hypertrophy, and various other subjects. The amount and variety of things that we did throughout this internship is what made it great. I got a thorough overview of these fields and learned so much throughout the summer. I will never forget this experience and highly recommend this internship to anyone who is interested."

~ Kaleb Burnett, East Tennessee State University
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"Before even stepping foot on ETSU's campus I had heard great things about CESSCE, and my experience definitely lived up to the expectation. I was challenged on every front and in ways that pushed me to grow and adapt. Being able to work alongside people of varying levels of education showed me the importance of following the research while also being practical with applying it in the weight. CESSCE was such a great place to intern for, because I was pushed to learn and was put in uncomfortable situations daily, but I was given positive feedback as well as constructive criticism. This internship was special because it allowed me to try my hand at some aspects of sport science alongside the coaching education that is vital for a young coach. I could not recommend this program enough! It was truly a wonderful opportunity and one I don't take lightly.​"

~ Holly Bosley, Hastings College
"My biggest take away was the individualized work with the athlete, the load and intensity control, the planning and periodization of the training program and the genuine quality of all the professionals who work at ETSU, like one family." 

~David Manuel Díez Fernández, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
Photo: MCAP
"Traveling 24 hours across the globe from Australia to spend four months at ETSU with some of the greatest sport scientists and coaches in the world was one of the best things I have ever done. For others looking to gain experience within the collegiate system and with U.S. Olympic athletes, I could not recommend ETSU enough! From day one until the very end I learned something new every day and was pushed to become a better coach. The internship program allows you just the right amount of freedom to let you to focus on gaining the experience you are after, whilst also combining just the right amount of practice and theory. Honestly, it is hard to put into words just how great the people of ETSU are, and the amazing things they are doing. This place is exactly what is says it is, a place for excellence in coaching and sport science. The tools and experience I gained here are invaluable, and I cannot wait to return!"

~ Kieron Lester, Edith Cowan University
"My time as an intern at the CESSCE was truly invaluable. It helped me to solidify what I wanted to do with my future and showed me firsthand the dedication and commitment it would take to make those dreams turn into a reality. The internship had the perfect balance of structure and freedom. It gave me the opportunity to create make my own experience and learn about whatever I had an interest in. I was able to work with an incredibly talented and knowledgeable staff who always took time out of their day to answers any questions I had and gave me resources to further my education on that subject. As long as you are a self motivated individual you will thrive during your time at the CESSCE, I highly recommend this internship to anyone who is interested in sport science and wants to make themselves a better coach." 
 
~ Mike Schlund, West Virginia University
​"This summer I was given the opportunity to work and learn under the CESSCE at ETSU. My internship experience consisted of assisting with Olympic bobsled athletes, women’s volleyball, and others. The entire staff that assisted me was very knowledgeable, and interested in answering any questions regarding training, programming, sport specificity, and the elements that pertain to annual plans. Not only did I learn valuable information from discussion, but I was also able to have hands-on opportunities with timing gates and other equipment. The experience at ETSU is something I would highly recommend to any future applicants. I will always be grateful for the vital information that I received in the duration of my visit!"
 
~ Chris Bender, West Virginia University 
"As a foreign intern from Taiwan, the experience here is priceless and taught me about what real sport science is. I never thought I would have a chance to be a part of an Olympic training facility in the United States. Some of the greatest sport scientists are here at the Center and know how to use the right tools and strategies to improve athletes in the right direction (even the elite), at the same time teach developmental athletes how to reach higher levels. This is a real treasure. For the interns and students from abroad, ETSU should be on the top of your list! With the best professors and the simplest environment, you can focus on what you want to learn and enjoy life at the same time. One of the most important things I learned was to never forget to train yourself before you train others!"
 
~ Tingchieh Chan, Taiwan 
"I am Maurisa Gibson-Bailey from the Caribbean island, Trinidad and Tobago. Never in a million years would I imagine being afforded the opportunity to be in another country’s Olympic Training Site to learn and build on competencies related to the sport science and medicine fields. For the seven weeks that I have been at the Site I have learned a lot theoretically and practically. I must say that I am really happy and satisfied that I had this experience for so many reasons, most importantly to significantly contribute to the required competencies of an Accredited Sport Scientist. Engaging in internships of this nature and level always provide great opportunities for networking, and depending on how you look at it, you develop a greater appreciation and respect for other associated professions and their contribution to the support-team setting for athletes.The guided yet independent characteristics of the program has greatly improved my critical thinking skills and fueled my desire to become one of the best. I believe that this experience has groomed me into a well-rounded leader and practitioner as I leave with a greater sense of confidence, focus and zeal to pursue specific goals... Gracias por sus influencias profesionales"

~Maurisa Gibson-Bailey, Trinidad and Tobago 

**Maurisa went on to provide a guide for future interns from abroad. Check it out!**
"No website, blog post, or photo can capture how special this place is. The faculty and students in the program have an infectious passion for their work, creating a culture of highly motivated individuals who support one another in their own self-guided path. John Wagle and Coach Meg Stone do a great job running the internship program; striking a delicate balance between structure and freedom. Having the autonomy to spend my time where I desired led me to Dr. Brad DeWeese and Coach Aaron Cunanan who contributed immensely to my understanding of sprint mechanics and weightlifting. This is where self-driven individuals come to thrive. No matter where you are in your academic or coaching career, the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education has a diverse group of faculty, students, and athletes that can meet you where you’re at and provide you with valuable mentorship to take you to the next level. To say I am grateful is an understatement. This place lit a fire inside me that I didn’t know I had and I can’t wait to return." 

~Kristina Ushakova, University of Vermont
"I thoroughly enjoyed my intern experience here at ETSU. Although I've been involved in the athletic program and have seen a lot of the hard work that goes into it, it was even more rewarding to see it from behind the scenes. The coaches spend a lot of time doing data analysis to help improve the training for athletes, which was really interesting to see. For example, I observed laboratory tests such as lactate threshold testing on a treadmill, which showed you blood lactate level at different times during exercise. There was also testing with new equipment like Exxentric's kBox flywheel, which measures force production. Another good experience was seeing the difference in training with other athletes. I've seen what goes into the training for soccer, both in the weight room and on the field, but it was interesting to see how each sport-specific training varied. Overall a great experience and will help me a lot with any future job opportunities I hope to pursue." 

~Molly Collinson, B.S. Exercise Science, ETSU Women's Soccer
​"My internship at the CESSCE was an invaluable experience for me. From working with the bobsledders that train with Dr. Brad DeWeese, to working with PhD student, Nobuhisa Yoshida, and the Milligan College basketball team, as well as Master's student, Eric Magrum, and the ETSU volleyball team, I was able to learn under many excellent coaches with various backgrounds and specialties, and also learn about training and programming for a large variety of sports. Director, Meg Stone, did a great job of mentally preparing the interns for the road ahead by teaching us about what we can expect as future professionals in the current state of the strength and conditioning field. Both faculty and students were willing to help or answer questions, especially Eric Magrum, who worked closely with me outside of my normal internship responsibilities to help prepare me for my future education and professional career. Overall, my experience at the CESSCE was crucial for my preparation for my career and my development as a professional." 

~Russell Adkins, ETSU student
"I thoroughly enjoyed my internship experience with the Center of Excellence. It provided me with the opportunity to meet graduate students and form solid working relationships, which have had a huge impact on my knowledge and education pertaining to strength and conditioning. I was strongly influenced by the overall experience and professionalism of the students and faculty associated with the graduate programs and applied to continue my education in the master's program."

~Preston (Drew) Howard, ETSU student 
"My experience here totally reinvigorated my passion for the field and renewed my commitment to serve the Olympic dream." 

~Bob Blaisdell, MS, CSCS, USAW-SPC, USAC-II*D, former intern and current Sport Physiology and Sport Performance doctoral student at ETSU
"The experience was wonderful! I use a lot of the information I learned as an intern in my clinical practice when working with athletes in regards to sports performance and clinical decision making. The certification courses that I sat in on were also a great resource for me as well. Professors such as Dr. Deweese, Dr. Sato and Dr. Mizuguchi provided me with many tactics and performance measurements that I can incorporate into my further education and clinical expertise. Dr. Kavanaugh was extremely helpful during my internship and very welcoming.  

"Other extremely helpful/influential individuals during my internship were Caleb Bazyler, Ben Gleason, Matt Sams, Chris Bellon, Jacob Goodin and Tony Pustina.

"Also Big Thanks to Mark South for helping me with weightlifting technique!

"Collaboration with interns and students from other backgrounds was great. Many different perspectives to learn and grow from. Living situation was wonderful. 

"Thanks to this experience I plan to apply to local Universities to work as a Physical therapist/Strength and conditioning coach part time for sports performance and injury prevention strengthening."

~ John Sally, SPT, CSCS, former intern and currently Elon University DPT

"I will say my internship experience was foundational in the continuation of my education. I learned a great deal during my time in Johnson City, and after taking a year off to pursue another career, my time at ETSU ultimately help me make the decision to come back and complete my Master's degree here at ETSU. My internship experience was unlike many others, I was able to 'form my own experience' as I saw necessary. ETSU is a place where creative individuals thrive and hard workers flourish. What I mean by 'form my own experience' I quite literally mean, whatever I thought I needed to learn, I learned and had the opportunity to figure that out for myself. I was able to learn a great deal about force plates and other technologies in the field. I was also able to learn how to be a better coach through practical speed development sessions with Dr. DeWeese, I was able to talk on a daily basis with Meg Stone about coaching philosophy, coach-athlete relationships, and other various topics, and I was also afforded the ability to have frequent interactions with Dr. Stone and learn a great deal from those interactions. In addition to the mentioned above names the other staff members here are at the top of their games in their respective fields. I also learned a great deal about the foundational elements of sport through the current students. I didn't take this into consideration when I first arrived, however, I was able to learn a great deal from the students. These students are from all over the country with a vast array of experiences and come from some of the best undergraduate and graduate institutions around the country. 

"A potential intern will not find a better internship site. There are too many skilled, knowledgable and passionate people here, not to mention ETSU's sport science lab has technologies no one else in this country has. If you want to learn from the best professional staff sport performance has to offer, take a look at ETSU. If you are looking to "feel it out", please consider another avenue. ETSU is not a place for the faint of heart, ETSU is a place where passionate people come together to work hard in the name of enhancing the never ending pursuit of sporting excellence."

~ Eric Magrum, BS, CSCS, USAW-1, former intern and current Exercise Physiology and Performance master's student at ETSU
“The internship experience at ETSU provides many excellent and unique learning opportunities in coaching and sports science research. During my internship I had the ability to learn various approaches to coaching and strength and conditioning programming, assist graduate and doctorate students with athlete monitoring and research studies, conduct a research study with my fellow interns, and observe the training of an U.S. Olympic athlete. The possibilities of what an intern can learn and experience at ETSU are endless. The intern has the freedom to tailor the internship experience to fit their interests, which is not the case in most internships. With that being said, the faculty and students at ETSU are truly what separates the internship experience at ETSU from any other. The faculty alone are some of the most renowned individuals in their respective fields, whether that be biomechanics, sports science, coaching, or sports performance. The people at the Center of Excellence in Sports Science and Coaching Education genuinely want you to succeed and learn. They are always willing to answer questions and assist you in any way.
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"The experience and knowledge I gained while at ETSU was invaluable. I would recommend the internship to any individual looking to become involved in sports science and performance.”

~ Tyler Mogensen, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

​Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education 2022