MASSACHUSETTS - Monroe alum Charlie Cates probably wouldn't shy away from drafting San Diego Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson in a fantasy football draft.
That's because Cates worked a 10-week internship as a strength trainer at Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego this summer and he saw the dedication of the Chargers' star running back.
"He is coming in healthy for the first time in three years," Cates said. "This is the most time he spent working out since his MVP season. I would not hesitate to draft him."
In addition to Tomlinson, Cates worked with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Bears cornerback Charles Tillman and Chargers back-up running back Darren Sproles.
"They are by far the best athletes I worked with," Cates said. "It wasn't the physical ability that was so remarkable to me. The attention and focus they brought to each drill and workout is what stood out in my mind."
Cates, an economics major, just started his senior year at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. He received his chance to serve as a strength trainer at Fitness Quest 10 after one of his friends he played basketball with introduced him to the sports performance director at Fitness Quest 10. He sent a resume, interviewed and landed the summer job.
Cates would work two hours with players in the weight room and then they went to a local high school in San Diego for a couple hours of field work that included passing drills and route running.
"Yeah, it's their jobs because they get paid to do it," he said of the training. "You wouldn't know it because they are having fun. They bring that focus and passion to every workout."
It's on the field where Cates was amazed at Brees' focus and attention to details when he dropped back to pass.
"He was always on target," Cates said.
When Tillman injured his back, Cates provided ice massages before the Bears cornerback had surgery.
Cates worked every weekday in June and July with Brennan Clay, a high school senior running back, who is one of the top prep football players in the country and has committed to Oklahoma.
Cates said his dream is to open a holistic gym for strength training that includes free weights, cardio machines, basketball courts and turf fields that caters to athletes and the general public.
Cates learned a lot about training and he stresses the need for a holistic approach to training including nutrition and recovery from training.
"You can't out-exercise a bad diet," he said. "That is what we preach to every client."
Cates said that a person can spend all the time working out they want, but if the training doesn't include good nutrition and recovery time then the results won't be there.
Cates still has one more season of basketball to play for Williams College. Last year Williams College finished 17-9. When he gets to basketball season, he is looking forward to his second year in coach Mike Maker's system.
"I think as a team we are expecting a big year," Cates said.
He will use the lessons he learned from his summer strength training internship to his advantage.
"I learned a lot about what it takes to be great," Cates said.
That's because Cates worked a 10-week internship as a strength trainer at Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego this summer and he saw the dedication of the Chargers' star running back.
"He is coming in healthy for the first time in three years," Cates said. "This is the most time he spent working out since his MVP season. I would not hesitate to draft him."
In addition to Tomlinson, Cates worked with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Bears cornerback Charles Tillman and Chargers back-up running back Darren Sproles.
"They are by far the best athletes I worked with," Cates said. "It wasn't the physical ability that was so remarkable to me. The attention and focus they brought to each drill and workout is what stood out in my mind."
Cates, an economics major, just started his senior year at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. He received his chance to serve as a strength trainer at Fitness Quest 10 after one of his friends he played basketball with introduced him to the sports performance director at Fitness Quest 10. He sent a resume, interviewed and landed the summer job.
Cates would work two hours with players in the weight room and then they went to a local high school in San Diego for a couple hours of field work that included passing drills and route running.
"Yeah, it's their jobs because they get paid to do it," he said of the training. "You wouldn't know it because they are having fun. They bring that focus and passion to every workout."
It's on the field where Cates was amazed at Brees' focus and attention to details when he dropped back to pass.
"He was always on target," Cates said.
When Tillman injured his back, Cates provided ice massages before the Bears cornerback had surgery.
Cates worked every weekday in June and July with Brennan Clay, a high school senior running back, who is one of the top prep football players in the country and has committed to Oklahoma.
Cates said his dream is to open a holistic gym for strength training that includes free weights, cardio machines, basketball courts and turf fields that caters to athletes and the general public.
Cates learned a lot about training and he stresses the need for a holistic approach to training including nutrition and recovery from training.
"You can't out-exercise a bad diet," he said. "That is what we preach to every client."
Cates said that a person can spend all the time working out they want, but if the training doesn't include good nutrition and recovery time then the results won't be there.
Cates still has one more season of basketball to play for Williams College. Last year Williams College finished 17-9. When he gets to basketball season, he is looking forward to his second year in coach Mike Maker's system.
"I think as a team we are expecting a big year," Cates said.
He will use the lessons he learned from his summer strength training internship to his advantage.
"I learned a lot about what it takes to be great," Cates said.
