The Columbus Crew announced today that it has named Brook Hamilton, CSCS, its new strength & conditioning coach. Hamilton joins the Crew from the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL, where he served in a similar capacity. Most recently, Hamilton served as the strength & conditioning coach for the U.S. U-23 and U-20 Men’s National Teams at their training camp in November.
“We are very pleased to welcome Brook to our staff,” said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha said. “He has the experience and qualities we were looking for in a strength & conditioning coach. He will plan the program for the entire year, with a focus on building and maintaining our fitness.”
Hamilton fills the position vacated by Mike Tremble, whose two-year tenure with the club ended following last season. The Crew has also announced the addition of assistant athletic trainer Phil Watson, who replaces Skylar Richards as head athletic trainer Dave Lagow’s top aide.
Hamilton started his career in 2001 at the world‐renowned International Performance Institute on the campus of IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., where he worked with athletes in a variety of sports, including current and aspiring MLS, NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL players.
In 2009 he was named the head performance coach for the Guangdong Winnerway Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association. He was responsible for Guangdong’s overall performance training protocols, as well as all pre- and post-practice/game protocols. During his tenure, Guangdong won a gold medal in the Chinese National Games and a CBA league championship.
Hamilton also trained with Yi Jianlian, helping the NBA and Chinese international player prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and helped develop Real Salt Lake’s strength and conditioning program during its inaugural 2005 MLS season.
“I’m excited to join the Crew organization,” Hamilton said. “I hope my knowledge and expertise will help make us better. I would like our players to be able to perform at their optimal level, both in and out of season. Ultimately my goal is to increase performance and decrease injury potential.”
Watson earned a Masters in Exercise Science from the University of Maine, where he worked with Maine’s Division I women's ice hockey and baseball programs, and assisted with women's soccer. Most recently, he worked with the men's soccer and men's hockey programs at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn.
