Assistant strength and conditioning coach
Rachel Pike feels empowered, not only to train athletes but to set the new benchmark for female strength coaches.
Vaulting into leadership positions in the (traditionally male) strength and conditioning world seemed foreign to other female trainers. Much like Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile back on May 6, 1954, once the door opens — the possibilities are endless.
“As soon as you see that it can be done, I think we should be able to break those barriers faster and in many more places,” Pike said.
Last fall, Pike was training the Campbell softball team when freshman Tyra Parker attempted to deadlift twice her body weight. The 5-foot-1, Humble, Texas product hesitated, uncertain of her abilities to complete the daunting task.
Pike reminded Parker before the rep, “Oh yeah, it’s heavy alright. But we’re strong enough to do it, and you need to believe in yourself.”
Pike interacts with both men’s and women’s teams on campus. The buy-in process remains the same, yet she finds it extremely rewarding when those same female athletes that were in her shoes years ago find their passion training.
“I do need to push the limits of what I think is possible, because we don’t know if there’s ever going to be a head female football strength coach until we do it.”