Exercise Science grad brings wisdom back to Blue Devils
Kelly Vincent with athletes.
“I want my athletes to succeed, not just athletically but as human beings. I want them to be better versions of themselves.”
That career mission placed Kelly Vincent on a fast lane to cover lots of ground in just six years. She has a B.S. in Exercise Science and minors in Psychology and Athletic Coaching from Fredonia and M.S. degrees in Sport and Exercise Physiology from Gannon University and Applied Sport Psychology from Adams State University.
Also in the mix are: graduate research assistant and research assistant at the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Erie (Pa.); exercise physiologist at UPMC Hamot, Erie; assistant men’s and women’s cross country and track & field coach at St. John Fisher College and running counselor at the U.S. Sports Camps at Oberlin College.
“My dream job has always been to help the next group of young men and women to develop whatever skills they have to become better athletes and whatever they want to be in life,” explained Kelly, a four-year cross country and track standout at Fredonia.
“My dream job has always been to help the next group of young men and women to develop whatever skills they have to become better athletes and whatever they want to be in life,” explained Kelly, a four-year cross country and track standout at Fredonia.
A Blue Devil, once again
Today, that dream job is assistant coach of 52 track and field and cross country student-athletes at Fredonia. Kelly assists Head Coach Tom Wilson with organizing daily practices and running some of them, writing conditioning plans and assisting with meet day travel, food and lodging. As recruiting coordinator, she corresponds with nearly 1,500 student-athletes, each with different academic interests and athletic backgrounds.
Bringing Kelly back as an assistant was a no-brainer for Coach Wilson. Love of the sport, exceptional organizational skills and a passion for recruiting are assets she brings to the program. Wilson remembers Kelly setting herself apart by a willingness to work harder than others.
“She has passion for all aspects of track and field, not just distance running. She can recruit a thrower even though she’s never thrown a weight. She has the ability to market Fredonia based on her experience here, as a student first,” Wilson added.
“Having a student-athlete that you coached and guided to recruit for you is priceless!”
Giving back to Fredonia
Kelly returned to her alma mater because she wanted to teach life lessons student-athletes don’t learn in the classroom. “I learned so much about myself through athletics. I also came back because Fredonia has given so much to me and I wanted to give back to it. I’m so excited to be back,” Kelly explained.
“You are not defined by what happens to you; you are defined by what you do to overcome the obstacles in front of you. That’s what I want to teach to our kids.”
Kelly was a four-time SUNYAC qualifier in cross country and two-time SUNYAC outdoor track and field qualifier in the 10,000 meters. She was 6th in the outdoor championships with the 9th fastest time (40:31) in Fredonia history. Kelly earned a dozen varsity letters at Randolph Junior-Senior High School.
