Dr. Christopher M. Torres, right, assistant professor of exercise science, works with Tanya K. Hewitt, SUNY Potsdam's exercise science program coordinator, at SUNY Potsdam’s Maxcy pool. They were testing out a FLOATAWEIGH machine, a hydrostatic underwater weighing apparatus that measures body composition.
Dr. Christopher M. Torres, an assistant professor of exercise science at SUNY Potsdam, was recently selected as the New York state director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Additionally, he has been nominated to the NSCA National Diversity Committee. The NSCA is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to strength and conditioning for improved physical performance. Now in its 37th year of operation, the NSCA is regarded as the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning issues.
“This is a distinguishing honor for Dr. Torres and will result in an active NSCA presence on our campus and unique experiences for our exercise science majors,” said SUNY Potsdam's Exercise Science Program Coordinator Tanya K. Hewitt.
Torres joined the exercise science program at SUNY Potsdam in the Fall of 2016. He is a master athlete and sports performance coach for United States Weightlifting (USAW). Additionally, he serves as a strength and conditioning coach for the NSCA. Now as New York state’s director for NSCA, some of his main goals will be to increase the association’s membership, promote their mission and increase public awareness about NSCA.
“He brings a passion and drive that will propel our exercise science program to become recognized and renown in the region and state,” said Kathleen M. O'Rourke, chair of SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Community Health.
Torres brings a strong applied learning approach to SUNY Potsdam’s exercise science program. This semester he worked with colleagues and students to test out a new hydrostatic weighing machine in the Maxcy Hall pool. The equipment, which accurately measures body composition, is very unique and not available anywhere else north of Syracuse. Torres and Hewitt plan to use the hydrostatic weighing apparatus in their upcoming exercise science classes.
Torres received his bachelor’s degree from Portland State University as a McNair Scholar. He went on to receive his Master of Arts in Education, with a specialization in exercise science and his Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise and Physical Activity Behavior from The Ohio State University. He was also the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship recipient at The Ohio State University.
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges-and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.