Beginning his third year as strength and conditioning coach, BJ Hedger has an important part in helping the Wheeling Jesuit wrestlers’ improvement.
Hedger has 12 years of strength and conditioning experience with college and professional athletes with a focus on wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts.
"BJ's value to our program can't be put into words. His strength and conditioning knowledge and experience add a great deal to our program. BJ is a fantastic motivator and a big reason that our program is evolving so quickly,” said WJU head wrestling coach Sean Doyle.
The Cardinal coach is the strength and Conditioning coach for multiple UFC veterans along with numerous professional and amateur athletes. He is also the Lead Corner/Coach for fighters (MMA/Boxing) including UFC Main Events.
Hedger has a simple strength and conditioning philosophy: “To create total performance efficiency by maximizing functional sport-specific strength and conditioning. Our program has increased performance while also decreasing injuries due to our focus on "pre-habilitation" and athlete specific strength and conditioning programs. Additionally, our attention to the dietary and hydration needs of our athletes has allowed them to compete healthy and at a higher level for longer periods of time.”
While my focus has primarily been in combat sports, the WJU assistant has trained athletes making the transition from high school to college and also into professional sports.
Hedger also does nutritional counseling and diet planning for athletes who compete in weight class specific sports with a specialization in safely and effectively getting athletes to their optimal performance weight and body composition.
From 2009-11, Hedger managed 14 professional Boxers/MMA athletes as a partner in "Sponsored Fan" Management company. His role was that of recruiting, developing athletes and leading their preparation for competition. Sponsored Fan represented multiple current or former UFC athletes along with BJJ Pan Am Gold Medalists and world medalists in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In 2008, Hedger was the head wrestling coach at Desert Wind Middle School (Maricopa, Arizona) where he started the program. He coached three stateplacewinners in that first year of program.
The Martins Ferry, Ohio native, earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 2006. He is currently working on his MBA from Wheeling Jesuit.
Hedger recently married his wife,Mareesa of Wheeling.
