Nate VanKouwenberg begins his eighth season as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the RIT men’s hockey program in 2022-23. VanKouwenberg joined the Tigers midway through the 2015-16 season and is a valuable asset to the program.
Certified as a Functional Strength Coach (Mike Boyle's CFSC) and USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach, VanKouwenberg is the owner of Next Level Strength and Conditioning in Fairport, N.Y. The company has earned a strong reputation in the Rochester area, offering the latest in sports performance and general fitness training to clients of all ages and skill levels.
VanKouwenberg is entering his 18th year as a Physical Education and Health Teacher at Victor. In addition, he runs Pro Level Total Hockey Training at Next Level, a program that organizes and on-ice/off-ice NHL caliber training for local professional, college, junior, and prep school hockey players each summer.
A 2003 graduate of The College at Brockport, VanKouwenberg earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education. In 2009, he earned his master’s degree in health studies from the University of Alabama. A former student-athlete at Brockport, VanKouwenberg played 92 games over four seasons for the men’s hockey team as a defenseman from 1999-2003, recording 28 points. He also served as a three-year team captain and two-time SUNYAC All-Academic selection.
VanKouwenberg lives in Fairport with his wife Ashlee and daughters, Reagan and Braedy.
