Sondra Abney
Teaching Experience
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PROGRAM MANAGER
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA / March 2024 - Present
Currently serving as a Program Manager in the Human Resource Office at the University of Texas, Sandy oversees an innovative employee listening strategic program aimed at enhancing the overall employee experience. She is instrumental in driving initiatives aligned with the University's Change Starts Here Strategic Plan, contributing her expertise to foster positive organizational change.
CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER
Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), Austin, TX, USA / March 2021 – March 2024
Perform senior level management of the organization while providing direction and guidance on complex project management and business functions within program operations. Sandy managed and oversaw the accreditation of the organization’s credentials, the Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified certification exam process and operations, development of a new entry level national strength and conditioning coaching certification. Sandy was instrumental in modernizing, developing, and implementing processes that allow CSCCa to gain efficiency within their systems operations. In addition she was involved in establishing the strategic plan, goals, and objectives for CSCCa education programs and future endeavors.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HIGH PERFORMANCE
Chinese Olympic Committee, Beijing, Dong Cheng / Feb 2019 – March 2021
· Design and co-project manage 3.2 million dollars construction of China’s national high-performance training center at Olympic Park, Shunyi, Beijing • Direct operations, logistics, and manage international training camps for Chinese national sports teams• International headhunter for Chinese Olympic Committee, Olympic Games Preparation Office • Onboard international personnel for High Performance department, Olympic Game Preparation Office• Create and develop policy and procedures for High Performance department, Olympic Games Preparation Office
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE
University of Texas, Austin, TX / February 2020 – Ongoing
· Develop on-line curriculum for students studying the science of resistance training • Teach basic principles of exercise science and foundations of training methodologies• Test and evaluate students’ progress through physical testing parameter as well as written test• Provide guidance, support, and motivation to all students • Provide guidance and instruction on safety and proper mechanics of advanced strength training techniques
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Austin Community College, Austin, TX / Aug 2007 – Ongoing
· Develop curriculum for students studying the science of resistance training and conditioning• Teach basic principles of exercise science and foundations of training methodologies• Test and evaluate students’ progress through physical testing parameter as well as written test• Provide guidance, support, and motivation to all students • Provide guidance and instruction on safety and proper mechanics
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Punahou College Preparatory School , Honolulu, HI / Aug 2018 – Feb 2019
· Create, build, and develop first ever Athletic Performance department for a college preparatory high school program• Oversee, manage, and direct all aspects of the Athletic Performance department• Hire, develop and manage Athletic Performance staff• Oversee and manage budget and resources for the Athletic Performance department• Develop, organize, and oversee all strength and conditioning programs utilizing scientifically based principles of athletic performance training• Oversee year-round scheduling of team training times for 31 sports• Collaborate with Physical Education department in developing modernized curriculum and common language
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
University of Texas, Austin, TX / Aug 2013 – Aug 2018
· Provide operational support to the Assistant Athletic Director• Oversee department operations and decisions in his absence•
· Assist with management and forecasting of departmental budget• Provide technical and professional supervision of the preparation of student-athletes for Division I Intercollegiate athletic competition through the utilization of scientifically based principles of athletic performance training• Develop and administer individualized speed, strength, and conditioning programs for all varsity student-athletes to optimize performance• Provide excellent communication (oral & written), planning, organizational, interviewing, and customer service skills with ability to influence and build positive relationships among diverse individuals including administrators, student-athletes, parents, coaches, staff, and students• Provide excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work with all administrators, coaches, athletes, and sports medicine staff interchangeably to ensure consistency across the Sports Performance area• Advises head sport coach in conditioning and evaluates various components of fitness in athletes • Assist athletic trainers in developing rehabilitation programs for injured athletes• Oversee year-round scheduling of training times for 16 Division IA Olympic Sports • Direct operations and oversee year-round scheduling of satellite weight rooms• Develop, oversee, and maintain the policies and operating procedures for Division 1A strength and conditioning department• Supervise and manage graduate assistant and undergraduate student internship program • Participate in industry research to stay on the cutting edge of skills and technology• Participate in hiring process of Division IA college coaches• Adhere to all NCAA, Conference, University, and Athletic department rules and regulations• Oversee project management of pilot programs under High Performance model• Proven success with ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
ASSISTANT STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
University of Texas, Austin, TX / Oct 1999 – Aug 2013
· Communicates directly with head coach of assigned sports teams• Communicates directly with administration and support staff for daily operations of satellite weight room • Works directly with sports medicine department in rehabilitation of athletes • Design and implement all aspects of strength and conditioning programs for Olympic sports• Manage satellite weight room for men and women’s Olympic sports• Strength and conditioning coordinator for Olympic sport summer camps.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Board Member, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association, 2017 – 2019.
- Committee Chair, Mentoring/Internship Committee, CSCCa, 2017-2019.
- Committee Chair, Certification Commission, CSCCa, 2012-2017.
- Committee Chair, Written Exam Committee, CSCCa, 2012-2017.
- Graduate, NCAA Leadership Enhancement Institute, 2017.
- Graduate, NCAA Sports Management Institute, 2015.
- International Speaker, Australian Strength & Conditioning International Conference on Applied Strength & Conditioning, Brisbane,Australia, 2023.
- International Speaker, Sports Symposium- Chinese Olympic Committee Headquarters, Beijing, China, 2018.
- National Speaker, CSCCa National Conference: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2006.
- National Speaker, NSCA National Conference: 2014.
ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
USA Olympic Weightlifting
2009 Master Nationals – National Champion / 63kg class
2004 Olympic Team Trials Competitor- #17 USA ranking/ 58kg class
2003 Senior Nationals – Silver Medalist
2002 Senior Nationals – Bronze Medalist
2001 World Team Trials Competitor-Silver Medalist
2001 Senior Nationals – Silver Medalist
2000 Senior Nationals – Bronze Medalist
1999 American Open – Silver Medalist
1998 Senior Nationals – Bronze Medalist
CERTIFICATIONS
- Master Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified - MSCC
- Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified – SCCC
- National Strength and Conditioning Association – RSCC*D
- USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach Certification – USAW
- USA Track & Field Fundamentals of Coaching Certified - USAT&F
- Canada-USA Speed Agility Conditioning – Level One Coach
- AHA Basic Life Support CPR/AED
Published: August 15, 2025