Renee Zernicke enters her fourth year as a strength and conditioning coach at Wisconsin, working with the women’s basketball and men's and women's golf teams. Zernicke is in charge of the Badgers' in-season and out-of-season strength training and conditioning. She also assists with the nutritional needs of the teams.
"Every time we train, I want to create a positive and competitive environment where I provide a framework and tailor the program to the individual needs of each student-athlete," Zernicke said.
Zernicke came to Wisconsin after two years at UC-Davis. She joined the UC Davis staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach in July of 2013 and exploded onto the scene. She worked with men and women's basketball, women's volleyball, men's soccer, men's water polo, and men's and women's tennis.
In the 2014-15 season, Zernicke oversaw the development of the Big West Conference champions' men's basketball team and was instrumental in the growth of 2014-15 Big West Conference Player of the Year, Corey Hawkins.
Prior to her term with the Aggies, Zernicke worked as a graduate assistant at Springfield College, where she earned her master’s degree in exercise science and sport studies. She served as the head strength and condition coach for women's basketball, women's volleyball and men's gymnastics.
"I was fortunate to have great mentors and coaches that have helped me develop not only as an athlete, but also as a professional and a person," Zernicke added. "I want to continue to educate, motivate and help each student-athlete reach their potential on and off the court."
In addition, Zernicke completed internships at the University of Kansas, where she worked with both the men's and women's basketball programs, as well as at the University of Connecticut where she worked with all sports.The Bonduel, Wisconsin, native has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2010 and is a Level 1 USA Weightlifting coach and Level 1 Precision Nutrition coach.
"Having been born and raised in Wisconsin, I'm thrilled to return and work with the Badgers," Zernicke said. "I have a great deal of respect for the student athletes that compete at Wisconsin and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with them."
Zernicke is a 2010 graduate of UW-La Crosse, where she earned her degree in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in strength and conditioning.
