Recent alumnus Quintin Mapstone was hired as a strength and conditioning coach for the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) football team after graduating from Waynesburg University in spring 2023. Since then, he has been using the skills he learned at WU to help the young men on the team.
Mapstone knew that health and exercise science was the major for him when he arrived at Waynesburg.
“I knew right away when I arrived at WU that health and exercise management was the major for me,” Mapstone said. “The program that WU had to offer was eye-catching at first sight and the faculty exceeded high expectations, especially Dr. Andy Palko, as my advisor.”
Through his time at Waynesburg, he was able to build upon the passion for health and exercise science that already existed inside of him.
“I have always had a burning passion for physical health and exercise and how it has a drastic effect on not only performance as an athlete, but the effects it has upon mental and physical health as a human being,” he said.
He went on to say that his major allowed him to grow as a scholar, while also letting him gain experience in strength and conditioning.
When his senior year came around, it came time to look for jobs. Mapstone described the job search as “smooth” thanks to Dr. Palko.
Eventually, he was offered an opportunity to work with UCLA’s football team. Mapstone attributes the experience he got while he was a student to this achievement. He completed an internship with the Robert Morris University football program, along with volunteering his time with Waynesburg University athletics and California University of Pennsylvania athletics.
“Gaining this hands-on experience in the coaching world as a student exposed me to the opportunity with UCLA football,” Mapstone said.
A typical day for Mapstone starts at 5 a.m. when he arrives at the facility. He is in charge of setting up the exercise equipment for the team, then operating it during practices. Additionally, he helps coach players through their workout plans after practice is done.
Mapstone said that his job is “amazing to say the least,” and that he is “grateful to grow” at UCLA.
Ultimately, Mapstone thanks Waynesburg University and its football team for the valuable skills it gave to him.
“Through being a member of the Waynesburg University football team, I developed and sharpened a profuse amount of work ethic and the ability to lead young men,” he said.
Athletic Training at Waynesburg University
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