This is one of many spotlights about Badin graduates and their successes in life.
Clint Stricker, '07 graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Exercise Science and is CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) through the NSCA - National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as USA Track and Field Certified. He served as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Badin High School out of college, then found a home as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for US Soccer in 2014. He has found his passion working with this group of athletes!
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Alumni Spotlight on: CLINT STRICKER '07
What is your passion? I am passionate about helping all athletes realize their full potential through exercise and training. I really enjoy my work with US Soccer and the Paralympic National Team. The guys I work with have either been born with cerebral palsy or have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury, many acquired while serving in the military. Our team has overcome so many obstacles in their individual lives and it is rewarding to help them improve physically, and watch them perform with no excuses.
What led you to this career? Once I started in my degree at Ball State University, I wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach for professional athletes. And while I've had the opportunity to train hundreds of pro athletes, I'm most proud of my work with Badin High School, being the first full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach at the school, and my work in disability sport. I still receive messages from former athletes at Badin thanking me for things they learned, and I'm very gracious that I had the opportunity to hopefully instill lifelong healthy habits in Badin students
I was then recommended by a colleague to replace him with the US team when he was offered a new job, and I was thrilled for the opportunity to represent our country on an international stage.
The places I’ve been: In order, I have traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and soon, Ecuador. I studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand while in college. The other seven countries have all been via US Soccer for international tournaments, including the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games!
What is your best memory as a Badin student? My favorite is actually a collection of memories with the friends that I still have today. I always took it for granted until numerous people have pointed out that it's lucky to have such a large group of lifelong friends all from high school. I still keep in contact and maintain close relationships with people I graduated with!
Who was your favorite faculty/staff? Mr. DeAngelo and Mr. Gretz. The classes I took with them and the real-world applications we learned were invaluable. 2006 Principles of Business class with Mr. Gretz goes down in history as the most entertaining and most valuable class!
Learn more! I would love for people to watch the US Soccer 14 Stories, on YouTube. They are short videos of each individual athlete on our team that qualified for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, and they detail the lives of our athletes, and how they have used soccer
Are YOU our next Spotlight Alumni? Do you know someone that should be? Nomination form is HERE!
