Mary Haridin-Baylor Athletics

        JC RAMATOWSKI - STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING HEAD COACH
Tell us about yourself.
Hi, I'm JC Ramatowski. I grew up in Jefferson City, MO. I am married to the most amazing woman, Lauren. She is the Assistant Volleyball Coach at University of Arkansas. Before that, she was an assistant coach at Washburn University where she won 2018 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year! While at Washburn her teams went 33-5 (3^rd in Country) in 2018 and 27-4 (5^th in Country) in 2019. At Arkansas they finished their hybrid season 6-2 (15^th in Country) with more matches in the Spring 2021. Over these three seasons her teams have gone 66-11 and been ranked in the top 15 in the nation! I am proud of her. We have two kiddos, Tommy (3) and Ella (8 months). Both of our families are back in Missouri where we are originally from.  As a family we walk/run trails (the more secluded the better). We love to travel and experience new places and parks and teach the kids about nature and God's natural gifts.

What are three things that always make you happy?
Exploring the wilderness, building and creating things, fast cars, big trucks and motorcycles.

If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
I would be an adrenaline sport/outdoor adventure/experience guide teaching and helping others how to be outdoors and learn to navigate, survive and overcome roadblocks/fears in their daily life. I would want to do this for the means of helping others find a new passion that could help them through rough times or create new traditions with family or friends. I love adrenaline, being scared and feeling that rush when I've accomplished something huge and even better when someone else I've helped do the same.
 
Why did you choose your profession and what do you love about it?
Somewhat for the same reasons as above. I love the feeling of seeing and helping someone achieve the "impossible" thing. The fact that I get to see and help young adults break through barriers that they have in their minds and bodies and reach a new milestone in their life is the reason why I do this.

What is a normal day like in your job?
Normal days start about 5 a.m. and don't end in the weight room until sometimes 7-7:30 p.m. I have a great group of coaches that do long hours and weekends to create and administer the programs for the athletes. We all have the same passion for helping and guiding people. We've had as many as 14 groups in one day on a regular weekly basis. There are days that we don't sit down or have time to take lunch breaks in a full 14-15 hour day. No questions asked in the profession. WE DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!
 
How has this fall been different and in what ways have you had to adapt?
This fall has been different because our fall sports weren't able to play, which was a bummer because we were excited about the chances to experience A LOT of wins! We have also had to separate groups in halves or thirds due to COVID restrictions. No big deal. Just more groups and more hours!

What are the challenges you will face in the spring with all sports playing at once?
With all 15 teams competing in the Spring we will have all "in season'' programming. This just means that teams are training at a submaximal load and need more focus on pre/post game movements in their sessions. We will still make the athletes strong and capable but the focus of our training just flows with what the athletes need daily and weekly. They have practice, games, travel, social life, school, work and family that are all stressors BEFORE they come train with us. We understand that immensely and adapt daily to that.