Tracy Stankavage ’08 returned to her alma mater prior to the start of the 2016-17 academic year to serve as the assistant strength and conditioning coach. She is a National Strength and Conditioning Association certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Since 2008, Stankavage has worked as a personal trainer and strength coach. A native of Chittenango, she worked primarily in the Central New York region, including five years at Strength in Motion in East Syracuse. However, she spent 10 months in Reno, Nevada, working at the Double Diamond Athletic Club, where her clients included Olympic fencer Eileen Grench of Panama and Salvadorian fencer Joaquin Tobar.
Stankavage joins the HWS athletics staff after spending the past three years at Pacific Health Club in Liverpool, N.Y. She led one-on-one and small group training sessions, weekly group exercise classes, and created the club’s Strongwoman group. For the past year, she has served as the Strongman Corporation New York State co-chair, promoting, organizing, and running Strongman contests.
An accomplished Strongwoman competitor, Stankavage was the 2012 national champion in the lightweight division. Two years later, she became the NAS lightweight division record holder in the 18-inch deadlift (500 pounds). In 2015, Stankavage finished in the top five in the World Strongwoman Championships.
Stankavage graduated from William Smith with a bachelor’s degree in physics in 2008. As an undergraduate, she was a defender for three seasons on the varsity soccer team. Stankavage twice earned All-Liberty League honors, including first team recognition as a senior when she also garnered the Liberty League Player of the Year award. She helped the Herons compile a 43-9-5 record, including an 18-1-2 mark in conference play.
Stankavage remained on campus following her graduation and coached the Heron soccer junior varsity team in 2008. She led the team to an 8-2-0 record. Stankavage also assisted with the varsity team which went 16-2-5 overall, won the Liberty League regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA Championship semifinals.
In 2008, Stankavage also played for the Adirondack Lynx of the Women’s Premier Soccer League and participated in the Professional Women’s Soccer combine.
