Plymouth State University

MIKE GITTLESON ('77): A three-sport athlete at Plymouth State (football, wrestling, track) and a state weightlifting champion, Mike Gittleston is a pioneer in the field of weight training and conditioning, making a mark on the field in the area of neck injury prevention. He was the first strength coach in the history of the Big 10 Conference, hired in 1978 for the University of Michigan Athletic Department by legendary coach Bo Schembechler.

A native of Manchester, N.H. (Manchester Central), Gittleson’s 30-year career at Michigan included coaching more than 100 All-Americans and two Heisman Trophy winners. He was recognized by the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society as the 2003 National Collegiate Football Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year.

Gittleson played football on Plymouth State teams under coach Tom Bell. He graduated summa cum laude and was named the outstanding physical education student in his class. A Vietnam veteran, Gittleson went to Michigan and completed a master’s degree in exercise science and earned the prestigious Paul Hunsicker Award as an outstanding graduate student at the University. An adjunct lecturer in Sports Management and Communication for the Division of Kinesiology, Gittleson was honored with the distinction of becoming an “Honorary ‘M’ Man” in 1997.