MCCC Fitness Professor John Kalinowski Supports Virtual Student Learning at Strength Coaches Association
Story by Brandon Johnson
4/23/20
West Windsor, N.J. – As the world shifts to an implementing on digital strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, health and fitness resources continue to be among the venues hit the hardest. Sporting events are cancelled. Gyms and fitness clubs are closed. Conferences, which are usually ripe for networking and education opportunities for coaches and athletes alike, shuttered their doors.
The shift hasn’t stopped one Mercer County Community College (MCCC) professor from helping his students when they need it most. Earlier this month, John Kalinowski, Associate Professor for Health and Physical Education, made sure that all of his students were able to make good on a learning opportunity that would shape the future of their careers.
Kalinowski personally funded each of his students to attend the National High School Strength Coaches Association regional conference. A day-long symposium dedicated to discussing program design, competitions, and strength and conditioning technology, the National High School Strength Coaches Association had to reformat its in-person event in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kalinowski had been urging his students to attend the conference in the run up to the nation’s shut down. According to Dean of Health Professions Kevin Duffy, Kalinowski decided to support all of his HPE 242 students due to the financial repercussions of the shutdown.
“This was truly a great gesture on his part to ensure students continue to receive quality education and the experiences that will help propel them in the future,” Duffy said.
Let Kalinowski tell it and he didn’t give his gesture a second thought.
“Any one of my colleagues would've done it,” Kalinowski said. “Teachers and coaches do what they do because they want to create opportunities for others; they want to make a difference; they want to stoke passions; and because they want to see people maximize their potential.”
Originally from Bristol, Pennsylvania, Kalinowski is an athletic performance coach, personal trainer and consultant with over 20 years of experience. He is a lifelong athlete, participating in baseball, basketball, football and gymnastics throughout his life.
When it came time for college, Kalinowski was recruited to play soccer, but his affinity for rugby led him to that pitch instead.
“My brother, Mark, and I always had our parent's support, and were always around sports, Kalinowski said, adding that his father coached high school level baseball, basketball and football.
“I entered college as a computer science major (because I thought it would've been a lucrative career). I soon realized that I was terrible with computer languages,” Kalinowski admitted.
After some soul searching, he decided to switch his major to exercise science and corporate fitness, a decision that his positively impacted the rest of his career.
His experience was immediately influential at MCCC, where Kalinowski helped establish the Exercise Science degree program in 2005. Currently, he sits on the MCCC Athletics Committee, which is currently working to create an inaugural class for the Mercer Athletics Hall of Fame.
But none of Kalinowski’s personal successes removed his focus on community. Coming from a “blue collar” family meant Kalinowski is acutely aware of the impact financial swings can have on every aspect of life, including education.
“That environment taught me the value of appreciating what you have, the value of community, the value of giving back, and the value of making a difference,” Kalinowski said.
As he waits for the world to resume normalcy, Kalinowski advised that continuing a fitness plan is still very possible despite widespread closures.
“Find an activity you like to do, set a goal, and create a plan,” Kalinowski said. “Gradually increase your frequency, intensity, and time (duration) or seek out reputable, credentialed professionals or programs that have experience working with individuals like yourself.”
“Effective workouts don't need to be long, don't require equipment, and don't need to cost money.”
His most important tip for maintaining a fitness regime, however?
“Have fun doing it!”
Are you ready to help us keep our students on track to finish classes and graduate? Then share and support our MCCC Student Emergency Fund. Donating at www.mccc.edu/mercermatters, or by texting MercerMatters to 41444, will help keep students enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every dollar matters!
Associate Professor John Kalinowski, pictured here with MCCC Alum Taylor Mastropasqua, helped MCCC start its exercise science degree program in 2005.