Sean Bernstein, USATF Level 2, SCCC
I am a graduate student of Mass Communications and a collegiate track and field coach. I am young, inquisitive, and have one fundamental goal—to bring success and accomplishment to each individual student-athlete under my tutelage.
Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, I attended college at SUNY Oneonta—a small town gently nested in the heart of Upstate New York’s Catskill Mountain Region. As an undergraduate student at SUNY Oneonta, I received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Philosophy. While pursuing my degrees, I was a four year member and team captain of the men’s track and field program. In my short time at SUNY Oneonta, I achieved the status of becoming a seven-time NCAA All-American and a three-time NCAA National Champion.
Following my time at SUNY Oneonta, I transitioned to San Jose State University to pursue a Master’s Degree in Mass Communications. Upon completing my Master's program in May of 2016, I had designed, written, and implemented a program for accessing and utilizing track and field and coaching related topics digitally through various media devices. As a completed work, this technology-based program helps to educate high school coaches about training themes, philosophies, and methodologies.
Currently, I am the Assistant Track and Field Coach for the Men's and Women's Sprint, Hurdle, and Relay groups at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA.
My passion and love for track and field started the moment I first stepped onto a track. Track and field is not merely a game or a contest decided by judges or applause, it is a commitment and a lifestyle—a pursuit to be the best. Track and field represents the pinnacle of human ability and individual achievement. As a student-athlete for nearly seven years, a personal transition into coaching was not only a natural move, but a principled evolution for a goal orientated individual.
As a collegiate coach for the last four years and a Division I coach for the past three, I strive to continually grow and improve. I have sought out and attended a multitude of classes, workshops, and core courses to improve my understanding and knowledge of track and field. I am certified by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as a Strength and Conditioning Coach, as a Sprints, Hurdles, and Relays Specialist through the USTFCCCA, and a USATF Level 2 Jumps Coach. Additionally, I have taken courses in Meet Management through the Coaches Association and am currently CPR and First Aid Certified.
As a track and field coach, I endeavor to be the best that I can for my team, my program, and my athletes. The key to success is a desire to learn—to become better, smarter, and more efficient. Not only a desire to succeed—but a desire to become the best coach you can possibly be. Through adversity and perseverance is an achievable goal, a strengthened will to competition—a found success.