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New Director of Wellness and Performance Sciences discusses leading in a male-dominated field

In the United States, roughly 83.5% of strength and conditioning coaches are male, according to zippia.com. With her newest promotion to Director of Wellness and Performance Science, Claire West joins the other 16.5%, leading the way. 

A woman in a jacket stands before several young men as they walk around a weight room.
Coach West oversees the Men’s Lacrosse team as they work on their front squats in Payne Gymnasium’s weight room. West stands as the only woman in the room. Photo courtesy of Tommy Ball

This new step in West’s journey is her opportunity to continue to lead students and develop her own culture in the weight room.

“There are moments to have fun, and recognize you guys are 18-year-olds, in college lifting, but it’s important to find the right balance,” West said. 

Other athletes compared West to their previous strength trainers, and she stacked up well against them. 

“I’ve had four strength trainers since I have been at Westminster,” said Alivia Preston, a senior environmental science major and soccer player. “Coach West is amazing, she is incredibly understand[ing], she makes sure people know what they are doing, she’s kind, and pushes people to get better.” 

A woman laughs standing over a boy  on the floor of the weight room. The room is purple with weights hanging on the walls.
Coach West helps Jayven Jones with his ab workout in the Payne Gymnasium’s weight room at 8:45 a.m. The movement he is working on is called a Copenhagen Hold. Photo courtesy of Tommy Ball

West demands focus and attention to detail in the weight room, and the Westminster athletes oblige. 

“For us, I think, sometimes there is even more focus with Claire compared to the other strength coaches, [like] the way she can say something and everyone can pay attention and be super focused,” said Andrew Duxbury, a senior management major and lacrosse player. “When she locks in, honestly it’s more serious than other coaches I’ve had.”

West was also able to teach students new to weight-lifting.

“I had never lifted before coming to Westminster, so Claire has taught me so much,” said Kim Hendrickson, a junior sociology major and soccer player. “I think Claire is awesome. She’s the definition of a girl boss.”

Many Westminster athletes appreciate that West is an approachable leader, as she’s closer to their age than most faculty and staff. 

“I think Claire is very personable and easy to go to and ask questions,” said Cam Conti, a first-year pre-health major and lacrosse player. “She’s up there with the personal trainers that I have had.”

Two boys in gym attire stand on bleachers with in a gymnasium as a woman stands off the side and watches.
Director of Wellness and Performance Sciences Claire West watches over a couple members of the Men’s Lacrosse team on the second level of Payne Gymnasium at 11 a.m. They are using the bleachers to work on their depth jumps. Photo courtesy of Tommy Ball

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Tommy Ball is a senior basketball player at Westminster University. Tommy brings a passion of sports to the forum along with tons of personality and an excitement to learn about the Westminster community.

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