The College of Staten Island has named Gavin Ingster as its newest member of the staff, appointed as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach. Ingster will take over strength and conditioning duties from departed coach Antonio Meza, and with athletic training certification, will complement Head Athletic Trainer Alyson Ocasio with training duties as well, making him a full-time staple during respective teams’ pre-season, in-season, and off-season activities.
“In an effort to continue our efforts to improve student success through their health, safety, and stronger performance initiatives, we are very happy to bring Gavin on board,” said Director of Athletics Charles Gomes. “One of our strategic goals in line with the College’s Strategic Plan is to promote a mindset of growth through student involvement and relevant practice and care. Having someone like Gavin on board working with our student-athletes is a venture we are very excited about and we are looking forward to getting started.”
With a chance to serve in both the athletic training and strength and conditioning arenas, Ingster is equally excited to step into his new role within the program. Having a chance to work extensively with student-athletes in these different capacities will aid him in assessing and monitoring student-athlete progress and physical development.
“I’m very excited to be a part of the culture here at CSI and being able to fill two unique roles is something I have been looking forward to for a long time,” Ingster said. “My focus is on making student-athletes better every day, on and off the field or the court, helping them win and achieve the results they are looking for. To be able to do it here is definitely something I am looking forward to.”
A graduate of the University of Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science, Ingster then completed his Masters Degree in Athletic Training from Seton Hall University. At Seton Hall, he assisted as a trainer with both the men’s and women’s NCAA Division I basketball teams. In the fall of 2014, he did the same department-wide for Rutgers University – Newark. He has also served as an athletic trainer with the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, NJ, and at nearby Wagner College, where he assisted primarily with football training camp and the 2015 regular season. In 2016, he became the Athletic Trainer at Bergen Catholic High School. The diverse experience has prepared him well for his new role at CSI.
“What I have learned in my experience is a little different than the typical, bigger, faster, stronger mentality when it comes to training and strength and conditioning work in sports,” he explained. “The most important thing is getting healthy and staying healthy. Leading by example by maintaining good work habits that stay with athletes for their entire lives is what I try to instill in my work. My goal is to help our athletes build good habits that can carry them through their lives post-college.”
Indeed, Ingster’s eclectic experiences and his approach to the craft were a good fit for Ocasio, who recognizes the added duties of athletic training and strength and conditioning work in NCAA Division II athletics, where playing and practice seasons and the ability to work with student-athletes outside the actual playing season is greatly enhanced.
“Gavin brings a wide variety of experience to the table,” said Ocasio. “He’s worked with many different sports and with a wide range of age groups and his athletic training and strength and conditioning credentials are exactly what we are looking for. We look forward to having him integrate with all of our teams immediately as we get set to open our competitive year.”
Ingster currently holds certification as an Athletic Trainer in New York and New Jersey and is a NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. He is sports-specific training certified by the American Sports & Fitness Association and is a certified Level 2 coach with USA Hockey. Alongside his certifications he has worked as a certified athletic trainer with the Hospital for Special Surgery, at the Aviator Sports Complex, and served as a strength and conditioning specialist and trainer with Sports Science Lab/New York Chiropractic and Physical Therapy in Staten Island, so he is certainly familiar with the Staten Island landscape.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Ingster. “Working with high level athletes and a high level program with high character people is something that will make me better at what I do as well. To have a chance to be a part of the great things happening here while being able to guide the performance of our athlete’s is something I’m eager to get started with.”
A native of Brooklyn, NY, Ingster is an avid hockey scout and coach, previously volunteering as head athletic trainer for the NAHL’s New Jersey Titans. His appointment at CSI will begin immediately.
