Building Stronger Athletes. Developing Future Champions.
At Penn High School, students come first, athletes second!
Our comprehensive strength and conditioning program is built on a commitment to student-athlete well-being, academic achievement, and athletic excellence.
Through age-appropriate training, expert coaching, and a progressive approach to athletic development, Penn prepares student-athletes to compete at the highest levels while building the discipline, confidence, and work ethic that contribute to success in the classroom and beyond.
A Proven Tradition of Academic & Athletic Excellence
Penn’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes produces impressive results.
2025–2026 Highlights:
- 3.64 average GPA among Penn student-athletes, compared with the overall student average of 3.24
- 2 State Championships
- 9 Regional Championships
- 91% conference winning percentage
- 75% overall winning percentage
These accomplishments reflect Penn’s commitment to excellence both academically and athletically.
Premier Training Facilities & Certified Coaches
Penn’s Strength and Conditioning program is led by Coach Matt Cates, National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA)‘s 2024 National Coach of the Year!
Students train using the facilities in both the Culver’s Athletic Performance Center at Penn High School and the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse.
Coach Cates and Penn High School’s Coaching Staff provide structured training opportunities for more than 1,200 high school student-athletes across 25 sports, as well as more than 400 middle school student-athletes.
The program features:
- Two dedicated weight rooms
- Nine strength coaches during the school day
- Coaches certified through the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA)
- Progressive training designed to meet students at different stages of athletic development
A Progressive Approach to Student-Athlete Development
Penn’s training philosophy emphasizes proper technique, consistent effort, and high expectations.
Students progress through three levels of training designed to build a strong athletic foundation and prepare them for increasingly advanced physical demands.
Futures Program | Grades 6–8
Building the Foundation
The Futures Program introduces middle school student-athletes to fundamental movement patterns, strength development, and speed training.
Students begin with basic movements such as jumping, squatting, hinging, pushing, and pulling before progressing to introductory barbell training.
Rookie Program | New High School Athletes
Developing Strength & Confidence
Designed primarily for incoming 9th grade student-athletes, the Rookie Program builds on foundational skills through structured strength training.
Training is integrated with Health and Physical Education coursework aligned with Indiana graduation requirements.
Veteran Program | Advanced Student-Athletes
Training for Peak Performance
Experienced student-athletes advance to a more comprehensive strength and conditioning program featuring:
- Olympic lifting techniques
- Velocity-based training
- Progressive strength development
- Athletic performance testing
- Speed and acceleration training
Additional training opportunities are available through scheduled team workouts and specialized sessions.
Building on a Culture of Excellence
At Penn High School, athletic success begins long before competition.
Through expert instruction, consistent expectations, and a commitment to continuous improvement, our strength and conditioning program helps student-athletes develop the physical skills, discipline, and determination to pursue excellence in athletics, academics, and life.
Students First. Athletes Second. Excellence Always.