The Boyd Epley Award honors individuals who exhibit historical impact, achievements, and dedication to the NSCA over the course of their career. The Board of Directors carefully deliberates to select the recipient of the Boyd Epley Award, as it is the most prestigious award a Member of the NSCA can receive.
History of the Boyd Epley Award for Lifetime Achievement
According to ESPN.com, Epley is arguably the single most important individual in the history of strength and conditioning in college athletics. As the first full-time paid strength coach in history, Epley developed the “Four Steps to Success” philosophy that has impacted millions of athletes and strength and conditioning coaches across the world. As the founder of the NSCA, Epley created opportunities for those interested in making strength and conditioning their career. Epley has been and always will be an advocate for improving the profession of strength and conditioning.
Coach Al Vermeil
President, Vermeil Sports and Fitness, Inc.
Coach Vermeil has had a significant influence on the world of strength training and conditioning as we know it today. Coach Vermeil started his athletic career in 1965 with the Utah State University Football team.
In 1967, he became Team Captain, and in 1969 he was selected All-Time Utah State Football Team. His passion for strength and conditioning continued, and in 1979 he became the Head Strength Coach for the San Francisco 49ers.
With his assistance, the 49ers became the 1982 Super Bowl Champions. In 1985, Vermeil became the Head Strength Coach for the Chicago Bulls and helped lead them to win six World Championships. While coaching for the Bulls, Vermeil was also hired on to train the Chicago White Sox.
Coach Vermeil has gone on to found Vermeil Sports and Fitness, Inc., coaching teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Michigan State, US Air Force Academy, Los Angeles Lakers, Texas A&M University, New York Giants, University of Kansas, and many others.
Coach Al Vermeil has been the only Strength and Conditioning Coach to have a World Championship ring with both an NFL team and an NBA team and the only individual to hold a head strength coach position for an NFL, NBA, and MLB franchise. In 2003, Vermeil was inducted into the USA Strength and Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame. And in 2012, the NSCA is honored to present the Boyd Epley Award for Lifetime Achievement to Coach Al Vermeil.
Watch the video of Coach Vermeil's acceptance speech here, including an appearance by his celebrated brother, Coach Dick Vermeil.
Want to learn more? Read the full press release here.
Past Recipients of the Boyd Epley Award
2011- Everett Harman, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
2010 - Steve Bliss, CSCS
2009 - Meg Ritchie-Stone, MS, FNSCA
2008 - Bruno Pauletto, CSCS
2007 - Gary A. Dudley, PhD, CSCS
2005 - Steven J. Fleck, PhD, CSCS
2004 - John Garhammer, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
2000 - Mike Stone, PhD, FNSCA
1998 - Tom Baechle, EdD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D
1996 - Dan Wathen, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D, FNSCA
1994 - William J. Kraemer, PhD, CSCS
1993 - Boyd Epley, MEd, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, RSCC*E