Muskego Coach Receives Recognition

When you meet Muskego High School’s Coach Mike Nitka, there’s no mistaking he’s a focused and dedicated man: His handshake is firm, his eyes lock onto yours when he talks, and he speaks directly, yet passionately, about his involvement with his students.

For the past 35 years, Nitka has taught physical education and health at MHS and coached football and wrestling. Now, Nitka can add Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach, Emeritus (RSCC, *E) to his list of achievements. He is the only high school coach to ever achieve this title, which exemplifies the standards for coaching excellence. It is one of the highest distinctions awarded by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) – the world’s largest health and fitness association with 45,000 members worldwide.

Out of the 125 coaches listed on the NSCA’s strength and conditioning coach registry who are eligible for the RSCC, *E title, Nitka is one of only nine coaches to receive it.  Coaches must have more than 20 years experience, hold a degree in a recognized exercise science discipline, be a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSC®), and maintain current CPR certification.

 Nitka earned the recognition in part from his ongoing efforts with Muskego High School’s co-ed strength and conditioning program that he conceived, developed and fine-tuned over the course of 30 years. Three years ago, he started the application process for the Strength of America Award, which is co-sponsored by the NSCA and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.  The award recognizes programs that represent the gold standard in strength and conditioning, and in 2010, Nitka’s program at Muskego High School won it.

 That Muskego High School was selected the winner from hundreds of eligible schools across the country is notable.  “I’m really proud of what we have here,” says Nitka. “Our program’s not good; it’s incredible.”

Led by Coach Nitka to improve MHS’s curriculum, the strength and conditioning program went from a “workout room” to eventually become a year-round endeavor of progressive, 12-week sessions that build on athletes’ knowledge and skills over a four-year period. Students must commit to complete each session (only two misses are allowed) before progressing on to the next.  

Most coaches of the high school’s athletic teams incorporate the strength and conditioning program into their sport’s season.  “It develops the athlete’s quickness and power and gives the team what they need to compete,” Nitka says.  “I’ve had other coaches tell me that they don’t necessarily have the fastest kid on the field, but they do have the fastest team. And it’s showing in our team scores.”

 As an elite member of the NSCA, Nitka finds himself in the company of the best minds in the industry on which he can draw. He regularly collaborates with fellow NSCA registry and association members, and with coaches at the university and professional sports level, such as Arizona State University, the Miami Dolphins, and the Chicago White Sox, to name a few.

 Nitka himself is also an authority.  He speaks at conferences around the world as an NSCA delegate, has twice served on the NSCA board of directors, and been a member of three strategic planning committees. He admits he’s been approached by the Bucks, Packers and Colts for advice and has even been offered positions.  However, Nitka’s niche – and heart – is with high school athletes, both male and female. 

 His dream?  To create an all-female strength and conditioning program that addresses their unique needs.  With no sign of retiring yet, Coach Nitka just might make that happen. 

Writer’s Note: The strength and conditioning program’s summer session is open to the public through Muskego’s Park and Recreation department, which will have the program listed in its summer catalog for those interested in registering. 

Freshmen and sophomore boys and girls from all sports will lift and run from 7:30-8:45 Monday - Thursday.

Junior and senior boys and girls from all sports will lift and run from 8:45-10:00 Monday –Thursday.