Concordia's athletics facilities are among the best in the nation for small colleges and its strength and conditioning programs take full advantage of them. Weight rooms are located inside Walz Human Performance Complex, completed in 2009, and the P.E. Building, remodeled in 2012. Bulldogs strength and conditioning programs also make use of the fieldhouse, stadium track/field and the numerous practice fields at Concordia.
Training
Strength and conditioning efforts at Concordia glorify God and take inspiration from Romans 12:1, which reads: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."
The primary objectives of strength and conditioning at Concordia are to improve athletic performance and prevent injury.
Common training components
- SPORT SKILL
- POWER
- Explosive exercises
- Jump training
- STRENGTH
- Focus is on multi-joint exercises with single-joint used to further stability
- Primarily body weight & free weight exercises
- Static & dynamic core exercises for flexion, extension, and rotation
- SPEED
- Linear and lateral movement
- Resisted training with hills, stairs, and sleds
- AGILITY
- Acceleration & deceleration
- Reaction time
- CONDITIONING
- Manipulate work to rest ratios to achieve desired adaptations
- Various activities to elevate heart rate are used
- MOBILITY & STABILITY
- Ability to move through a functional range of motion
- Balance and control to move safely and efficiently
- NUTRITION
- Daily nutrition affects energy, recovery, and immune system health
- Focus is on proper nutrition before supplementation
- Hydration throughout the day and before, during, and after training
- REST & RECOVERY
- INTANGIBLES
- Work ethic
- Mental toughness
- Competitive drive
Freddie Myles
Athletics
Hometown: Penngrove, Calif.
Alma Mater: University of California, Davis
Freddie Myles was introduced as the first head coach in the history of Concordia Men's and Women's Lifting Sports, which are set to begin athletic competition in 2022-23. Myles has also served the athletic department in the area of strength and conditioning and was elevated to the role of Director of Strength and Conditioning in June 2025.
In three seasons at the helm of the powerlifting and weightlifting programs, Myles has quickly guided the Bulldogs to national relevance. His programs have produced a combined three individual national titles: Evan Fukuhara (2024), Kaiden Mima (2025) and Rylee Ladd (2025). Ladd has continually reset her own American collegiate bench press record for her weight class. At 2025 national championship events, Concordia came away with team placements of fifth for women's powerlifting, 14th for men's powerlifting, fourth for men's weightlifting, fifth for co-ed weightlifting and sixth for women's weightlifting. The Bulldogs qualified a total of 30 athletes for the national championships between powerlifting and weightlifting.
Most recently, Myles has served as Assistant Strength Coach at NCAA Division II Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Calif. Myles filled that role while operating his own gym, Myles Ahead Fitness, Inc., a training ground for elite powerlifters. Since opening the facility in January 2005, Myles has worked with 21 national champions in weightlifting and powerlifting, three American record holders, seven international competitors, one Pan American champion, four world champions and four national championship teams. Myles has also developed scholarship athletes in the sports of softball, soccer, track & field and weightlifting as part of his individualized strength and conditioning programs.
Myles is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and has earned USA Weightlifting Level 4 certification. During his career, Myles has served roles as president of the Pacific Weightlifting Association (2014-18) and USA Weightlifting Youth Committee member (2014-16) and managed city youth wrestling and track & field programs.
Myles graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Biology from UC Davis in 2002. He earned his Master of Science in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning from Concordia University, Chicago. Freddie and his wife Niki have three children, Desmond, 12, Annemarie, 9, and Gabrielle, 7.
Chevy Stout
Athletics
Hometown: Grand Island, Neb.
Alma Mater: Concordia University, Nebraska
A former Concordia University student-athlete, Chevy Stout became a full-time staff member in April 2023. Stout serves as the Assistant Coach for Lifting Sports and in Strength and Conditioning. Following his time as a Bulldog Football player, Stout transitioned into a role as Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, beginning with the 2021-22 academic year.
As a Bulldog student-athlete, Stout earned a reputation for his ability as a blocking fullback. The native of Grand Island, Neb., earned Honorable Mention All-GPAC accolades as a senior in 2020. He gained notoriety in the fall of 2020 when Barstool Sports recognized him as “America’s Fullback.” Stout earned his bachelor’s degree from Concordia in Exercise Science (minor in Coaching). Stout completed his graduate assistantship with a Master of Science in Coaching and Exercise Science. Stout is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA and holds a United States of America weightlifting certification.
Said Coach Freddie Myles of Stout, "I’m excited to have Chevy Stout as part of our team. He brings technical and practical knowledge, a positive coaching presence and experience of what it takes to be a successful Concordia athlete."
Chevy is the son of Duane and Michelle Stout and has two older brothers, Dalton and Ransom.
Hometown: Panama, Neb.
Alma Mater: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Josh Auman began his graduate assistantship in Concordia University, Nebraska Strength and Conditioning beginning with the 2025-26 academic year. Auman is a Panama, Neb., native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln alum.
Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Auman spent the fall semester of 2024 as an intern within strength and conditioning at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Auman assisted with five Mavericks teams while working extensively with the swim and dive team. Following the internship, Auman worked at XPlosive Edge in Omaha as a youth strength coach and assistant volleyball strength coach. In following his passion for the profession, Auman managed a private gym in Lincoln for three years post-graduation. Auman trained powerlifters and other clients at the gym. In addition, Auman volunteered at Papillion La Vista South High School’s summer weights program in the summer of 2024.
Auman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture (focus in Forestry) from UNL. He is pursuing his Master of Science in Athletic Coaching (focused in Strength and Conditioning) from Concordia. Josh married his wife in September 2024. Josh is the son of Jeff and Jenn Auman.