Leader Finds Strength in BVU Athletics
Workouts are tailored for each student-athlete's needs by the director of athletic performance.
The personalized learning experience is a selling point for many BVU students, and it’s not only demonstrated in the classroom, but also through athletics – and the support it provides non-athletes. When entering the Fritcher Fitness Center within Lamberti Recreation Center, students often catch a glimpse of Josh Cue, BVU director of athletic performance, working closely with each BVU athletic team to ensure they are best equipped for success.
With 12 years of experience in the strength and conditioning field, including time with the Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals, Cue offers an accumulation of knowledge to each one of BVU’s athletes. At his previous institution, Chowan University, the football team improved its win total from two to six.
"I think putting myself in their shoes and seeing every athlete as an individual that makes up a team is really important.”
Josh Cue
Contrary to popular belief, Cue says, athletic success is not about who can lift the most in the weight room; it’s about consistency, showing up every day.
“Lifting weights is important because first and foremost, it makes you a team,” Cue says. “Your season is about three months long, and then you have nine other months that you have to get better. You train together, you can push each other, you come together as a unit.”
Cue’s involvement with his athletes gives them the opportunity to reach peak performance. Hunter Meier, a junior kinesiology major with a focus in strength and conditioning, has experienced Cue’s training as an intern for the department and as a baseball player. Meier has noticed the growth of teams under Cue’s tutelage including his own training, specifically acknowledging the focus on exercises which prevent injury and plan of action in motivating teams through pushing PRs and development of a winning mentality. Through experience, Meier has seen his teammates grow closer, creating a team mindset on and off the field as well as weight room.
“My internship with Coach Cue has been amazing, and he’s taught me new lifting techniques which will benefit me as a professional after graduation,” says Meier, who aspires to begin a career in strength and conditioning. “I love seeing how certain sports require different workouts, and how gaining muscle mass in different areas can benefit a team.”
A defining point of Cue’s approach involves the team aspect. His overall strategy is to personalize workouts for each team in what they need for their sport. If the sport needs acceleration, changes in direction, or explosive power, Cue focuses on building a solid base of strength through main lifts (for example, squats or deadlifts), and incorporating movements which will enhance these performance aspects. Strong, perfect reps are more important as a lifting foundation than how much weight is on the bar. If Cue determines athletes need more for additional success, he goes that extra mile to motivate them.
“I speak with the coaches on how to motivate each individual if I have an issue with them in the weight room and ask about the players’ work ethic at practice,” Cue says. “Am I not getting through to these athletes like they can, or is there a better way I should go about communicating to a particular athlete? I think putting myself in their shoes and seeing every athlete as an individual that makes up a team is really important.”
By communicating with each coach, Cue works to understand coaching strategies, specific opportunities and ideas, and more. He accommodates if a coach comes to him with suggestions, always keeping in mind how they direct their own program.
“Everything should work together in sync,” Cue says. “I just treat everybody like they’re an athlete, first. A football player and a volleyball player are different, but they’re still athletes.”
Though Coach Cue is responsible for many athletes, if a non-athlete demonstrates drive and ambition to improve every day, he’ll also assist them in the weight room. For athletes who may have made the difficult decision to switch from sports to focus mainly on academics in college, this could be an alternate avenue to staying in shape; Cue is interested in trying various strength tactics as a trial run for those not on an official athletic team.
According to Cue, the people on BVU’s lakeside campus are what makes the university unique. Even though Cue has been a part of many programs, he has discovered the people are what sets BVU apart, thanks to a wide range of offerings for athletes and non-athletes. With a coaching staff desiring to build Beavers through strong ethical values and discipline, Cue is excited to train daily to combine friendly competition with a solid foundation in their work ethic.
“I think the people here are what separates BVU from other schools. The people here are good,” Cue says with a smile. “Our coaches and athletes work hard, and they show up. I enjoy working with everybody. I enjoy this place, and we’re continuing to build.”