By Kristen Nachtman ’14 and Gabby Giachin ’14, Staff Writers

After saying goodbye to Steve Puryear, the beloved strength and conditioning coach affectionately known as Coach P, Newark Academy welcomes a new and enthusiastic weight room trainer, Max Fletcher.  In addition to his new job at Newark Academy, Max also works alongside Coach P at Pro Health and Fitness, a gym in Springfield, NJ.  Max heard about the opening at the Academy from Coach P himself, and as a result he already has solid relations with several school families.  Max has embraced his new job with great enthusiasm and passion, and several Newark Academy soccer players have already made him feel “like he was already a part of the Newark Academy family.”

Prior to his career as a personal trainer, Max was a collegiate soccer player at Kean University, where he won a national championship.  Based upon his impressive background, and taking several recommendations from Newark Academy families with whom Max had previously worked into account, Mr. Gilbreath thought he would be a great fit for the school community.  Mr. Gilbreath has several goals for Max as a new strength coach, as opposed to his background as a personal trainer.  “I need a strength coach more than a personal trainer” he said.  “In my opinion, a personal trainer’s aim is to make their clients look good and be healthy. A strength coach is different in the way that it should include full team workouts with specific exercises that target each sport’s needs.”  Mr. Gilbreath noted that while Max has limited experience working with full teams, he has great confidence in Max’s ability to learn quickly and succeed.  “We’re on the same page with what I want. (At this point) he depends on coaches to reach out to him and ask for help; it’s on the coaches and players to do that.”  Max himself has been eager to start working with some Newark Academy athletes, and pointed out that he has already started working with the Track and Field team in the weight room.

Max has some very clear goals as he enters the Newark Academy community.  “Overall, my main goal is to get the best out of each individual, and to help each person to progress to his or her potential.  Each person is different, so I want to help them get better in a safe, fun, and efficient manner.”  Max refers to Coach P as one of his most respected colleagues, but does say that he does some things differently than his predecessor.  “I would say I’m a little calmer than Coach P,” he said, laughing.  “We work together, and we exchange ideas with each other.  But I did get my Masters degree in exercise science, so I do incorporate a little more science than he does.”  Max simply wants to help as many people in the community as he can.  “I think that one of the philosophies of this school is to help all the students be well-balanced individuals.  I want people to leave Newark Academy with a solid academic education, but also a better knowledge of how to maintain themselves physically.”  Ultimately, Max wants to help make the community better in any way that he can, and he certainly seems on track to accomplish that goal.

Max has already made an impression on some of the coaches.  “Max seems eager and excited, so I am too,” said Liz Bona, head coach of the girls’ basketball team.  Coach Bona went on to explain how she already has two players working out with Max during the offseason, and also said that she would love to work more in the weight room during the season as well.  She did note the difficult time restraints that some teams face. ” It’s hard with the time crunch because we only have limited time to prepare for the season and to get game ready,” she said.  In addition to the positive early reviews from coaches, student-athletes have also begun to reap the benefits of Max’s energy and enthusiasm.  “Max has been an enthusiastic addition to the weight room and has urged me to continue working out and being fit,” said weight-room regular Nate Feinberg ’13.

As of now, it is not known whether Max will be the permanent strength coach.  However, the early returns are promising.  There are nothing but favorable opinions of Max so far.  He is a very positive influence on athletes of all levels in the weight room, and he seems intent on improving the lives of as many students as possible. While his future may be uncertain, Max Fletcher certainly seems to be off to a good start.