UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Anthony Delli-Pizzi as the schools first Strength and Conditioning Coach.  Delli-Pizzi will be involved in strength and conditioning regimens with Cardinal student-athletes designed to decrease injury potential while optimizing sports performance.

"Bringing a strength and conditioning coach such as Anthony Delli-Pizzi to the program has been a departmental goal since the day I was hired," said SVSU Athletic Director Mike Watson. "I am very excited to have the opportunity to create this position at SVSU as it is key to the successful development of our student-athletes as we prepare them to compete in one of the strongest conferences in Division II."

Delli-Pizzi has a vast amount of knowledge when it comes to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), having served as the strength and conditioning coach at Lake Superior State University for the previous two years and also at Wayne State University from 2007 to 2009.  Anthony has also had recent exposure at the Division I level having interned at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

"I am extremely excited and look forward to the challenge and opportunity to build a strength and conditioning program for the student athletes," said Anthony Delli-Pizzi.  "SVSU is an athletic department that has made great strides the last few years and to be part of that strong upside is truly a privilege and honor. "

With the addition of Delli-Pizzi as head strength and conditioning coach, SVSU kinesiology students will also gain a valuable academic resource, which will allow them to obtain knowledge and experience by working with Delli-Pizzi and the athletic programs at SVSU.  

"The hiring of the strength and conditioning coach will have a positive impact on SVSU student athletes and provide unique educational opportunities for undergraduate kinesiology students pursuing a career in sport performance," stated Dr. Joshua Ode, Chair of the Department of Kinesiology. "The collaborative approach between the Department of Athletics and the Department of Kinesiology will result in a variety of practical academic experiences for kinesiology students focusing on the scientific principles of strength and conditioning program design."

Delli-Pizzi graduated from City University of New York in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in computer information technology. The Bronx, New York native earned his master's in exercise science and cardiac rehabilitation from Brooklyn College in 2007.