Madison Reporter

UW Health has begun a partnership with the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) to provide strength and conditioning coaches at the district’s four main high schools—East, Robert M. La Follette, Vel Phillips Memorial, and West—for a two-year period.

The initiative involves placing nationally certified coaches at each school. These coaches work with student-athletes in all sports, offering direct coaching or creating training plans and providing follow-up support based on individual needs and availability. This new program expands on an existing relationship where UW Health has supplied athletic trainers for practices and games within the district.

Romaric Setodji, a strength and conditioning coach from UW Health working with West High School, emphasized that the focus of the program extends beyond improving athletic performance. “It’s really all about making sure the students have the guidance they need to get the best out of themselves, regardless of their age or ability level,” Setodji said.

Setodji also noted that student development is both physical and mental, requiring tailored approaches depending on each athlete’s stage of growth. He highlighted additional wellness factors such as sleep and nutrition: “These kids are pushing their minds to the limit during the day, and their bodies to the max after school and on weekends, but without eating right and getting proper sleep, they can’t be successful, and they set themselves up for injuries or mental health struggles.”

The concept for this program was developed by Dave Knight, sports performance program manager at UW Health. When Knight approached MMSD with his proposal, it aligned well with West High Athletic Director Corvonn Gaines’ goals for student support. “The partnership has been off to a great start, and the students just love Romaric,” Gaines said.

Gaines further explained that while there is a positive rapport between Setodji and students, there is also a strong focus on work during training sessions. “The athletes have a lot of needs, both mental and physical, and working with UW Health, we are able to support them in being the best they can be, both on the field or court and behind the desk at school,” he said.

Setodji suggested that similar programs could be introduced in other districts because supporting young athletes’ health has broader implications. “This is really a public health practice,” he said. “By setting these kids up with good habits at a young age, they can take these things into adulthood to promote good health for the rest of their lives.”

MMSD serves more than 25,000 students across 52 schools as Wisconsin's second-largest school district. The district aims to prepare every student for graduation ready for college or career opportunities through its network of over 6,000 teachers and staff members.