ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Athletic Department is thrilled to announce that John Sfire has been named the department's Strength and Conditioning Coach. Coach Sfire will lead the strength and conditioning training of all UNW student athletes, oversee the two Ericksen Center weight rooms and their staff, and work with the UNW Sports Medicine team to maintain and improve the overall health of the Eagle student athletes.

Coach Sfire is no stranger to the Roseville-Arden Hills area as he joins the UNW staff after graduating from Bethel University in 2021. While at Bethel, Coach Sfire excelled as a student athlete having graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science while also participating on the football team for four years. Sfire was a First Team All-MIAC performer on the field in his senior year.

While a student at Bethel, Coach Sfire began to gain experience in the Strength and Conditioning field by working in the Wellness Center on campus for three years while also interning at ETS Performance in Coon Rapids during his senior year. After graduation, Sfire jumped right into the athletic performance world by accepting a role as a personal trainer at Discover Strength. After serving in that role for six months, he moved to a sports performance facility in Minnetonka called F.A.S.T. Athletics where he helped run and grow the facility. While at F.A.S.T. Athletics, Coach Sfire worked with a multitude of programs, teams, and athletes between the middle school and professional levels.

Not only is Coach Sfire a great fit at UNW because of his professional qualifications, he is a strong believer and follower of Christ who believes strongly in UNW's purpose and mission. Sfire has a personal relationship with Jesus and has leaned on Him throughout challenging times in his life. Coach Sfire credits Hebrews 12:11 with changing his life and strengthening his faith. The passage says, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Coach Sfire really cherishes the opportunity to work and coach at a faith-based University such as UNW. "It is a blessing to work at a Christian school like UNW", Sfire said. "UNW is special because it is an organization that is committed to furthering the Kingdom of God but also growing in relationships with each other."

Dr. Matt Hill, the Eagles' Athletic Director, is thrilled with the hiring of Coach Sfire. "I am excited to welcome John to the Eagle family", Dr. Hill said. "Having a strength coach like John who understands both the needs of the student athlete and the mission of our university will be a huge asset for our 20 NCAA varsity programs."

Coach Sfire met his wife, Dylan, his sophomore year of college and got married last summer. Coach Sfire and Dylan live in Plymouth, Minnesota and are both excited for the future at UNW!