University of Maryland Eastern Shore selects Christopher Puzzo as new head strength & conditioning coach

 
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has announced the hiring of Christopher Puzzo as its first full-time Head Strength & Conditioning Coach.
 

"As we continue to enhance the student-athlete experience at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, I am pleased to welcome Christopher Puzzo to our athletics staff," said Vice President of Athletics Tara A. Owens. "The health, wellness, and performance of our student-athletes remain a top priority, and Christopher's expertise in strength and conditioning will be a tremendous asset to our program. His experience, leadership, and commitment to athlete development will help our student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field of competition."

 
Puzzo comes to UMES after spending the previous year as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. While at Westminster, Puzzo was instrumental in creating the institution's Sports Performance Department. He led strength and conditioning efforts for all 20 sports during his tenure with the Blue Jays.

 
Prior to Westminster, Puzzo spent two seasons as Assistant Strength Coach at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. While at Rutgers, he worked primarily with the men's and women's basketball programs, as well as the cheer and dance teams.

 
A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Puzzo graduated from Greater Lowell Technical High School in 2010. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from the University of Florida in Gainesville. During his graduate studies, Puzzo completed an internship with the Gators baseball program during his first year and worked with the men's and women's basketball programs during his second year.

 
In addition to his professional and academic experience, Puzzo has volunteered as a strength and conditioning coach at Harvard University and as an Olympic lifting coach.

 
"I appreciate the opportunity to join the staff at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and look forward to working with the coaches, students, and staff," said Puzzo. "It is an exciting time to be a Hawk, and I am eager to get to work implementing a program that promotes athletic excellence while instilling training principles that cultivate leadership, resilience, and a mindset of continuous growth—both in competition and in life."

 
Puzzo began his new role at UMES in June and will oversee the strength and conditioning programs for the University's 15 varsity sports. He is a nationally certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with additional certification as a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach.
 

 
ABOUT HAWK ATHLETICS

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore sponsors an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The University currently fields teams in 15 sports: women's and men's volleyball, women's bowling, women's and men's golf, women's and men's cross country, women's and men's basketball, women's and men's indoor track & field, women's and men's outdoor track & field, softball, and baseball.
 
The UMES women's volleyball, bowling, basketball, softball, track & field, and cross country programs compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). UMES golf, baseball, and men's volleyball compete as members of the Northeast Conference (NEC). In June, UMES announced the addition of women's flag football which is scheduled to compete in the MEAC beginning in the Spring of 2027.