SPRINGFELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield athletic department announced that Chris Lowe has been named the first Director of Strength and Conditioning. This position will work directly with the 15 varsity sports at UIS and provide one-on-one assistance for each one of the student – athletes. This newly assigned position will work in adjunct with Springfield Clinic, with whom UIS entered an agreement with in the spring of 2016 as their primary sports medicine provider. 

"We are extremely excited to have Chris join our staff here at Illinois Springfield as our first Director of Strength and Conditioning," said Director of Athletics, Jim Sarra. "I want to thank our partners at Springfield Clinic for their assistance in the hiring process and for this partnership that allows us to provide this resource to each one of our student-athletes. I have complete confidence that Chris will come in and have an immediate impact on our student - athletes and coaches and be able to take each of our athletic programs to the next level as we continue to pursue GLVC Championships."

 Lowe comes to Springfield from the NCAA Division II institution Texas A&M University – Kingsville where he was the strength and conditioning coach for ten Lone Star Conference varsity teams. While there, Lowe was also a graduate assistant in the kinesiology department and assisted with class and labs in motor control and learning.

"I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with the Illinois Springfield athletic department," said Lowe. "It is an honor to work with a program that truly values the concept of continuous progress and increased expectations year after year. My passion and relentless pursuit in the field of strength and conditioning has prepared me for this opportunity with the Prairie Stars athletic program."

Benjamin McClain, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Springfield Clinic, added this about the hiring of Lowe, "Springfield Clinic is grateful to partner with UIS in meeting their Sports Medicine needs.  We believe that adding Chris Lowe to our sports medicine team will help further develop this relationship.  As our new Director of Strength and Conditioning, Chris will work very closely with the UIS coaches, athletic trainers, athletic director, and Springfield Clinic's medical staff to ensure that athletes at UIS have the very best access to improve overall performance." 

Working in accordance with the athletic training department, Lowe will coordinate efforts with the athletic training staff.

"We are excited to welcome Chris Lowe to UIS as our Director of Strength and Conditioning," said head Athletic Trainer, Katie Bowers. "He has shown an understanding of the many aspects of the ever-changing field of sports fitness and his past experience has given him the tools to be a great asset in developing our student-athletes here at UIS."

In addition to Texas A&M – Kingsville, Lowe also spent time with the Washington Capitals of the NHL in 2015, after completing an eight-month stint at the University of Iowa as the Olympic Strength and Conditioning Intern. While at Iowa, Lowe worked with eight varsity teams including the men's and women's basketball, and baseball teams.

The Monrovia, Maryland native is certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Heart Association, and Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA). A two-sport collegiate athlete, Lowe played both football and lacrosse at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.

He received his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Towson University in 2012 before earning his Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from Texas A&M – Kingsville in 2016.

Lowe will begin his duties for UIS and Springfield Clinic on August 15^th.