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Campus Directory

FACULTY AND STAFF

Brad Leshinske

Title:Interim Divisional Director
Office:Driehaus Center
Phone:773-298-3720
Email:leshinske@sxu.edu
Department:Health Sciences Division

Biography

Dr. Brad Leshinske was born and raised in Chicago and has been the coordinator of the Exercise Science and Sports and Fitness Administration programs since 2018. Dr. Leshinske holds a bachelor's in exercise science from North Park University and a master's and doctorate in health sciences with a concentration in human performance from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He began working in higher education in 2010, serving as an adjunct for North Park University and Lewis University and as a part-time instructor for Trinity Christian College.

Dr. Leshinske has also been a strength and conditioning coach for over 15 years, serving in the private sector and working with athletes between nine years old to professional. He serves on the National Strength and Conditioning Association's (NSCA) exam committee for Sports Science, the NSCA Rugby Special Interest Group as vice president, and the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education's (CASCE) standards committee. Dr. Leshinske also serves on the advisory board for the International Youth Conditioning Association and Linked Fit. He speaks nationally on topics like sports science in the high school sector, the functional movement screen, and program design for sports.

Dr. Leshinske is married to Tracy Leshinske, a teacher, and they have two children named Brady and Adelyn. As a family, they enjoy hiking, travel and sports.


Education

Ph.D. in Health Science
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

M.S. in Health Science
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

B.S. in Exercise Science
North Park University

Areas of Specialization

  • Human performance.
  • Dissertation: "The Effect of Load on the Functional Movement Screen In-Line Lunge and Its Scoring Criteria." (Committee: Dr. Dodd [Chair], Dr. Cappaert, Dr. Miller.)

Certification/Licensure

  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist - with Distinction, National Strength and Conditioning Association.
  • Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Level 1, Functional Movement Systems.
  • Certified Performance and Sports Scientist, National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Chair Specialized Clinical Interests

  • Functional Movement Screen.
  • Strength and conditioning.
  • High school strength and conditioning.
  • Sports science.

Courses Taught

  • EXSC 130: Introduction to Exercise Science
  • EXSC 210: Motor Behavior
  • EXSC 319: Kinesiology
  • EXSC 327: Measures and Evaluation
  • EXSC 366: Strength and Conditioning Theory
  • EXSC 385: Program and Design for Sport
  • EXSC 390: Exercise Science Capstone Project
  • EXSC 380: Internship
  • EXSCG 415: Application of Educational Practices
  • EXSCG 515: Advanced Strength and Conditioning
  • EXSCG 550: Advanced Recovery and Regeneration
  • EXSCG 580: Advanced Motor Control and Assessment
  • EXSCG 590: Application of Strength and Conditioning Principles
  • EXSCG 600: Scholarly Project or Thesis Option
  • PE 124: Health and Nutrition Across the Lifespan

Selected Honors/Awards

Merit Award Winner for Teaching, 2021


Presentations/Publications/Productions

Leshinske, B. (July 2023). The Effect of Block Periodization on Strength, Power and Acceleration in High School Aged Baseball Players; A Retrospective Study. Podium Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Conference, Las Vegas, NV

Leshinske, B. (July 2023). The Effect of Block Periodization on the Barbell Back squat and Barbell Bench Press in High School Aged Baseball Players; A Retrospective Study. Podium Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Conference, New Las Vegas, NV.

Leshinske, B. (July 2022). Does Jump Momentum Correlate to a Faster 60-Yard Dash in High School Baseball Players; A Retrospective Study. Podium Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Leshinske, B. (Sept. 2021). How to Implement Sports Science in the High School and Private Sector. Presentation. International Youth Conditioning Association Summit, Cincinnati, OH.

Leshinske, B. (Sept. 2021). The Business of Sports Performance. Keynote Presentation. International Youth Conditioning Association Summit, Cincinnati, OH.

Leshinske, B. (July 2021). The Effect of Load on the Functional Movement Screen In-line Lunge and its Scoring Criteria. Podium Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Conference, Orlando, FL.

Leshinske, B. (2021). The Effect of Load on the Functional Movement Screen In-line Lunge and its Scoring Criteria. Poster Presentation. Saint Xavier University Research Expo, Chicago, IL.

Leshinske, B. (March 2021). Using Data as a Means for Readiness at the High School Level. Presentation. Linked Fit Coaches Conference, Virtual.

Leshinske, B. (Jan. 2021). Creating New Habits for a Healthy New Year. Presentation. St. Laurence High School Lunch and Learn, Burbank, IL.

Leshinske, B. (Jan. 2020). Creating New Habits for a Healthy New Year. Presentation. St. Laurence High School Lunch and Learn, Burbank, IL.

Leshinske, B. (2020). Curriculum Design for Physical Education During COVID. Presentation. Nebraska Physical Education Summit, Virtual.

Leshinske, B. (2020). Proper Program and Design of Plyometrics. Presentation. International Youth Conditioning Association Summit, Detroit, MI.

Leshinske, B. (July 2020). Program Design Considerations for the High School Athlete. Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Michigan State Clinic, Detroit, MI.

Leshinske, B. (April 2019). The Truth Behind the Numbers. Presentation. Great Lakes Analytical Conference, Stevens Point, WI.

Leshinske, B. (2019). The Functional Movement Screen and its Load Applications. Poster Presentation. Saint Xavier University Research Expo, Chicago, IL.

Leshinske, B. (2019). From the Books to the Weight Room for Strength and Conditioning Coaches. Poster Presentation. United States Coaching Excellence Summit, Colorado Springs, CO.

Leshinske, B. (2018). How to Effectively Assess Athletes in a Large Group. Hands-On Presentation. International Youth Conditioning Association Summit, Detroit, MI.

Leshinske, B. (2017). Methods of Teaching Deceleration Training. Hands-On Presentation. International Youth Conditioning Association Summit, Detroit, MI.

Leshinske, B. (2017). New Assessment Protocols for Athletes. Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Association NBA Coaches Symposium, Chicago, IL.

Leshinske, B. (2017). New Research on the FMS and its Injury Predictability. Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Association Illinois State Clinic, Lombard, IL.

Leshinske, B. (2017). Program and Design for the Return to Play Athlete. Presentation. National Strength and Conditioning Association Illinois State Clinic, Lombard, IL.

Leshinske, B. (2016). Implementation of Plyometrics and Proper Warm Up for Sports Performance. Presentation. Glazier Sports Performance Clinic, Itasca, IL.