Behind every successful team is a foundation built on preparation, trust, and consistency. For Justin VanDusen, SCAD's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, that foundation starts long before competition day—and extends far beyond the weight room.
Early Days
An early and wide-ranging involvement in sports shaped VanDusen's path into collegiate athletics. Growing up, he competed in baseball, football, soccer, wrestling, and track, experiences that exposed him to different training demands and coaching styles at a young age.
It was during his high school years, however, that VanDusen first recognized the impact of structured strength and conditioning. Seeing firsthand how training improved his own performance sparked an interest that eventually led him to pursue opportunities in collegiate strength and conditioning through an undergraduate internship and a graduate assistant position, setting the foundation for his career in athletics.
While in college, he remained active through club lacrosse and intramural football and kickball, maintaining a strong connection to competition even as his interests began to shift toward performance development.
Finding the Right Fit at SCAD
VanDusen was drawn to SCAD by the opportunity to grow professionally while working within a department unified by purpose. He credits the athletic administration and coaching staff for their commitment to student-athletes and their willingness to collaborate toward a common goal.
Now in his fourth year at SCAD's Savannah campus, VanDusen oversees the physical preparation of artist-athletes across multiple programs while leading the department's nutrition planning. His role blends science, strategy, and mentorship, all with the shared goal of helping SCAD athletes perform at their best.
"I aid in the physical preparation of athletes for practice and competition," VanDusen said when asked to explain his role. "But it's also about teaching—helping athletes understand the why and the how so they can take ownership of their goals. I try to form professional coach-athlete relationships built on trust," he said. "From there, we can reinforce team culture and create a fun, competitive training environment."
A Day-to-Day Impact
With teams rotating between in-season and offseason throughout the year, no two days look the same. In-season training focuses on field readiness, while offseason work prioritizes maximal strength, speed development, and preparation for future practice demands for better skill acquisition.
What might surprise people most about his role? "It's a lot more teaching than yelling," VanDusen noted.
That teaching mindset has paid off. One of his most memorable career moments was helping SCAD women's cross country capture four consecutive Sun Conference championships, a testament to long-term development and consistency.
Balancing Performance and Well-Being
VanDusen believes competitiveness and athlete well-being go hand in hand. By creating a safe, constructive training environment, he challenges athletes while supporting their growth—both physically and mentally.
Among his proudest accomplishments is expanding nutrition resources that directly support performance and recovery for SCAD athletes, made possible through collaboration with athletics administration.
Beyond the Weight Room
Outside of athletics, VanDusen enjoys spending time with his dog, hiking, and researching new training methods to bring back to his teams.
Recharging during the busy season is essential, and VanDusen takes an hour a day to explore his other interests to disengage from work, then comes back ready to take on the next challenge.
Quick Hits
One person who influenced you the most? Mentor Bob Lemieux
Favorite movie or TV show to unwind with? The Wire
What's your hidden talent? I can do good cartoon voices
Favorite book or podcast? Harry Potter series
Coffee order? Cold-brew, hazelnut syrup, cream, and Splenda
Cats, dogs, or neither? Dogs
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Favorite sports movie? Remember the Titans
If you had a walk-up song, what would it be? Thunderstruck
Whether he's helping athletes chase championships or teaching fundamentals that last a lifetime, VanDusen's impact at SCAD is measured not just in strength gains—but in the culture he helps build every day.
