COLUMBIA, MD – Howard Community College Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Nick Campanaro as the department's new Head Sports Performance Coordinator.
Campanaro brings more than 17 years of strength and conditioning experience to the Dragons athletics program and is widely regarded as one of the leading sports performance coaches in Maryland. As the owner and director of Campanaro Strength & Conditioning, Howard County's premier sports performance training organization, he has helped develop athletes and teams that have gone on to capture multiple county, regional, and state championships.
A former collegiate football player at Towson University, Campanaro has also achieved national success as a competitive powerlifter. He held USA Powerlifting national records in the bench press for nine years and in the deadlift for six years, showcasing his commitment to athletic excellence and performance development.
"We are excited to welcome Nick to Howard Community College Athletics," said associate vice president of athletics Mike Smelkinson. "His extensive experience, proven track record of developing athletes, and passion for helping student-athletes reach their full potential make him an outstanding addition to our department. Nick's leadership will play a critical role in elevating the performance, health, and success of our student-athletes across all sports."
As Head Sports Performance Coordinator, Campanaro will oversee the design and implementation of year-round strength and conditioning programs for all 15 Howard Community College athletic teams. He will be responsible for creating evidence-based training programs that feature progressive development plans tailored to the specific demands of each sport. In addition, he will work closely with the athletic training staff to implement return-to-play protocols and ensure student-athletes receive comprehensive support throughout the rehabilitation process.
Campanaro will collaborate with coaches, athletic trainers, and administrative staff to develop a unified approach to athletic performance. He will also establish departmental policies and procedures that align with National Strength and Conditioning Association professional standards and guidelines. A key component of his role will be implementing performance monitoring systems to track athlete readiness and collect sport-specific data that can be used to optimize training and performance outcomes.
Manager of Fitness and Recreation Philippe DeRosier Jr. has done wonders for the Howard CC athletics department since joining in 2023. Working alongside coaches and sports medicine personnel, DeRosier has instituted so many programs in the department that has given coaches and student-athletes opportunities to improve unlike ever before. He began the processes of conducting needs analysis for each athletic program to ensure training plans are tailored to the unique physical demands of each sport. He also developed and managed preseason, in-season, and offseason training schedules for all Dragons teams, monitor attendance, provide regular reports on program activity, and maintain a safe, effective, and professional training environment.
"This is an exciting time to be at Howard CC athletics," said DeRosier. "We are consistently growing our student-athlete population, strengthening the talent of all our teams, and building our staff with higher levels of capability. We are excited to bring in Nick to continue that trend as we work towards our goal of becoming the best all-around athletics department in the region."
Now Derosier will be able to turn those initiatives over to Campanaro as they will work together to build up the Dragon student-athletes to be their best selves. Campanaro expressed excitement about joining the Dragons family and helping student-athletes maximize their athletic potential.
"I am honored to join Howard Community College Athletics and work alongside such a dedicated group of coaches and student-athletes," Campanaro said. "My goal is to create a culture of excellence in the weight room that translates directly to performance on the field, court, track, and beyond. I'm excited to help our student-athletes become stronger, faster, more resilient competitors while supporting their overall development."
Campanaro's appointment represents a significant investment in student-athlete performance and wellness as Howard Community College Athletics continues to strengthen its commitment to competitive excellence. His experience developing athletes at every level, combined with his reputation within the strength and conditioning profession, positions the Dragons for continued growth and success across all 15 athletic programs.
