Laguna’s strength and conditioning program has been nationally recognized as the only school in California to receive the 2014 Strength of America Award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Only 19 high schools across the nation were recognized for the highest standards in safety and success of young athletes.
“I found out about the award on the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) website. The NSCA is the organization that certifies strength & conditioning coaches,” Lopes said.
After going through a complex, multistep application process, Lopes said, “I received a letter informing me that Laguna Blanca School became the recipient of the award” and then “received a large banner in the mail.”
“I am pleased with the overall outcome. The process of preparing for the reward pushed me to perform my duties at a higher standard. Most importantly, though, I am pleased that the students, staff and faculty have this program and facility available to them on campus.”
When asked about his commitment toward the strength and conditioning program, Lopes said, “I would love nothing more than to see a greater traffic flow in the fitness center with individuals following an array of different programs” with an ultimate goal to “lead more team training sessions to make for a great team building experience.”
Not only did he earn this prestigious award for the school, but Coach Lopes was also named Santa Barbara All-County Football Coach of the Year in 2013 after coaching the football team to a quarterfinal berth and a 6-4 (2-2 Condor League) record in his second year.
“Coach Lopes has completely changed the football program for the better in the last three years” football co-captain Pierce O’Donnell ‘16 said. “He has taught me the value of brotherhood and hard work. I can honestly say that he [has] changed my life.”
Co-captain Christian Fowler ‘16 agrees. “Coach Lopes has taught me to be committed and do my best at everything I do in life.”
Lopes has implemented an engaging strength and conditioning program which is open to students and teachers.
He has designed a conditioning track for athletes with workouts specifically geared to their sports as well as a conditioning track formulated for students who do not participate on teams with personalized training sessions to fulfill individual fitness goals.
“Coach Lopes has genuinely made such an impact on my life,” Mia Chavez ‘15 said. “I used to look at athletics as very mundane and unimportant, but Lopes has showed me that working out is about doing something for yourself. I love it.” “Building camaraderie is, by far, one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching,” Lopes said.