Behind Bulldog Athletics: Todd Berner and the Strength and Conditioning Program
by Abigail Wisniewski
Before stepping out to face competition, Concordia athletes spend hours in the weight room increasing durability, enhancing movement and preventing injury. Director of Strength Conditioning and Training Todd Berner helps athletes improve for themselves and their team.
This is Berner’s first year in this position at Concordia. As a native of York, Berner said he is glad to be back in the area after working as a strength and conditioning coach in various states across the Midwest.
“The honor and the respect that I have to represent Concordia is way higher than what could be put on a business card,” Berner said. “The facilities and the coaches have blessed me with so many great opportunities.”
For Berner, strength and conditioning goes beyond improving individual skills. He emphasizes improvement for the sake of the team rather than only for the individual.
“As a Christian, we look at bigger picture,” he said. “We serve something bigger than ourselves. In the world of strength and conditioning, that’s what I do too. We get teams, and we get individuals who really buy into that ‘it’s not about me, it’s about making my team better. It’s making Concordia better. It’s making my sport better.’”
Berner’s goal is for each Bulldog team to be the best team in the conference. He is known for motivating teams with the phrase, “Who’s the best team in the GPAC? We are!”
Sometimes he starts as early as 4 a.m. to prepare athletes for the challenges they face on the playing field.
“It’s a long day, but when you love what you do, if you love who you represent, you really don’t count the hours,” Berner said.
Berner hopes to motivate athletes by showing them that they are cared about by recognizing the effort they are putting into improving themselves for the good of the team.
