Troy Athletics have an advantage that not many people know about. The advantage is not some secret drug or potion. It is not a magical shoe taylored to each athletes foot or a uniform that gives super human strength. The advantage does not come from eating spinach or some other fuel food given to cartoon characters. The advantage is in the form of flesh and blood.
Troy has seen several athletes have success after their playing days as a Trojan are finished. Athletes like DeMarcus Ware, Osi Umenyiora, Lawrence Tynes, Brannon Condren, Alfred Malone, Leodis McKelvin, Amy Lewis, Josh Dew, Tom King, and the list goes on and on and on. All of these athletes have the advantage. I am sure if you asked each of these Trojans to name the top 5 reasons they are successful athletes who have extended their careers after college they would point to their head coach as one and various other reasons. One of the reasons for their success would have to be Strength and Conditioning Coach Richard Shaughnessy.
Who is Richard Shaughnessy? He has been the strength and conditioning coach at Troy since 1996.
You can see his bio here: http://www.troytrojans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87292&SPID=10377&DB_OEM_ID=17200&ATCLID=942239&Q_SEASON=2008
After reading Riachard's biography, one thing stands out the most to me. He is recognized as one of the 18 elite strength coaches in the world by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. This one award makes him one of Troy's biggest advantages on the fields and courts of competition as he trains each athlete involved in the 17 NCAA sports sponsored by Troy. He continues each year to produce some of the best athletes Troy has ever seen. Hopefully Troy can keep this advantage a Trojan for a long time to come.
