John "Smitti" Smith

Head Weightlifting Coach
USAW National Level Coach

Bio

John or Smitti as he's known, has a passion for athletic development and takes great pride in helping athletes reach their potential. He believes that the commitment, attention to detail, and preparation it takes to become a better athlete goes beyond sport and enhances personal growth. That passion led him to start Barbells N Sprinkles weightlifting club in 2015. Since beginning Barbells N Sprinkles he has taken a number of athletes to youth nationals, junior nationals, masters nationals and the american open finals. 

John holds a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education (2005) from Grand Valley State University. During his time at GVSU he competed as a Defensive Back on the football team that went to four Division II national championships, winning three (2002, 2003, and 2005). He was a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a certified strength and conditioning coach from 2005 to 2007. He is currently a USA Weightlifting level 2 coach.

Since graduation, John has been employed as a full-time Health and Physical Education teacher and coach at the high school level. Coaching commitments have included Football, Track and Field and Women’s Basketball. He has developed training for student athletes in multiple sports including Football, Baseball, Cheerleading, Softball, and Lacrosse. As well as Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Track and Field, and Golf. Several of the student athletes who have participated in programming have gone on to play at the collegiate level. These schools include Division I; Bowling Green, Air Force, Clemson University, and UNC-Greensboro and Division II; Saginaw Valley State, Campbell University, and Lenoir-Rhyne University.

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