Falcone Named Master S&C Coach

DURHAM, N.C. — Veteran Duke coach Sonny Falcone has been named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach — the highest honor in the profession — by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association. Falcone was honored at the CSCCa’s annual conference on May 8.

"This is an incredible honor for Sonny," said Dr. Chuck Stiggins, the CSCCa Executive Director. "Being named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach signifies a commitment to the student-athlete, a commitment to the Duke University Athletic Program, and a commitment to the strength and conditioning profession. We are honored to have Sonny Falcone as a member of our association and to have him join the ranks of the Master Strength and Conditioning Coaches. He is truly a model of an outstanding strength and conditioning professional."

One of the nation’s longest-tenured coaches, Falcone serves as Duke’s Director of Strength and Conditioning. The Durham native has been on the Duke staff since 1980. Falcone, a 1976 graduate of Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in history, lettered three seasons as a defensive tackle on the football team. Working with the Blue Devil gridiron program, Falcone has tutored 12 All-Americas, five ACC Players of the Year and 32 first team All-ACC selections.

In order to receive this certification and corresponding title of distinction, an individual must meet the following criteria: Hold a minimum of a bachelors degree; be a currently practicing, full-time strength & conditioning coach on the collegiate or professional level; hold current membership in the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches association (CSCCa); hold the CSCCa Certification – SCCC (Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified); and be a full-time, collegiate, and/or professional strength & conditioning coach for a minimum of 12 years.

Ten collegiate strength and conditioning coaches received the prestigious certification of Master Strength & Conditioning Coach at the 2008 MSCC Ceremony: Gary Calcagno (Oklahoma State University); Falcone (Duke University); Chuck Faucette (St. Louis Rams); John Grieco (UNLV); Marc Hill (University of Kentucky); Barry Kagan (University of Maryland); Donnie Maib (University of Texas); Ethan Reeve (Wake Forest University); Scott Reeves (Texas A&M University); and David Williams (Liberty University). These ten coaches joined the existing 60 Master Strength & Conditioning Coaches, bringing the total number of MSCC’s to 70.