ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis University Assistant President of Athletics John Ashaolu has announced that Kwadwo Aikins is the first Strength and Conditioning coach for Lewis Athletics. Aikins joins the Flyers from Lindenwood University where he was an Athletic Performance Coach.
 
"As someone who grew up in the area, Lewis has always been on my radar," Aikins said. "I've always admired the university's strong commitment to athletics and developing student-athletes both on and off the field. In my coaching experience, programs rooted in core values and guided by a clear mission tend to attract individuals who are eager to grow and evolve into the best versions of themselves. That is the kind of environment where I thrive as a coach, where personal development is just as important as athletic performance."
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Kwadwo Aikins to the Lewis University athletic department as our new Head Strength and Conditioning Coach," Ashaolu said. "Kwadwo comes highly recommended and brings a passion for athlete development, a deep understanding of performance training, and a proven ability to build strong relationships with student-athletes. His experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to enhance the overall health, performance, and well-being of our teams."
 
This past school year at Lindenwood he designed and implemented programs for men's rugby, track and field, cross country and tennis. He also assisted with basketball training and support. In his role Aikins would conduct testing and evaluation of athletic abilities and progress, he maintained the operation and maintenance of facilities and utilized Hawkin Dynamic force plates, Arena timing gates, VBT units and Pitchero GPS units.

"We are excited to have Kwadwo join us as part of our athletics staff," Senior Associate Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Training/SWA Jennifer Janczak said. "His expertise  will help our athletes not only improve their strength and conditioning, but also help decrease some of the injuries we typically see from year to year. His energy and passion will be a great addition to our department."
 
One of the biggest challenges Aikins will face is putting together different strength and conditioning programs for more than 20 sports.
 
"As a strength and conditioning coach, my number one job is to physically prepare athletes for the demands of their specific sport—and those demands vary widely from sport to sport. To do that effectively, I start by reverse-engineering the sport. This means analyzing movement patterns, energy system usage, common injuries and their frequency, and the types of forces athletes need to produce or absorb. Training programs will begin with a focus on foundational qualities like movement competency, general strength, and work capacity. As we approach the competitive season, the focus will gradually shift toward more sport-specific traits and performance outcomes.
 
"Consistent communication with sport coaches and athletic trainers will be a priority throughout this process. That collaboration ensures that everyone is aligned, training goals are unified, and the athletes are getting a fully integrated performance plan that supports both their health and their success on the field."
 
Before Lindenwood Aikins was at St. Francis University-Pennsylvania as an Athletic Performance Coach, where he designed and implemented programs for men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis and cross country, while assisting with football from January to May of 2024.
 
He began his career as the Strength and Conditioning Intern at Northwestern University. With the Wildcats he collaborated with the strength staff to implement programs for men's and women's soccer, tennis, wrestling, volleyball, field hockey, baseball and swimming and diving.
 
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That shared mindset is clearly present at Lewis and it is one of the main reasons I was drawn to this opportunity. The chance to build something from the ground up and shape a performance environment where athletes can truly thrive is incredibly exciting. As a strength and conditioning coach, I bring far more than just training plans. I bring leadership, structure, mentorship, and a deep investment in the holistic development of every athlete. I am excited for Lewis student-athletes to finally have access to someone fully dedicated to that mission.
 
Being in this position means I'll be responsible for creating an environment that both reflects and enhances the existing culture of Lewis Athletics. I see myself as an extension of the athletic department's overall vision,aligned with its values and committed to elevating the student-athlete experience. I'll also serve as another trusted voice and presence that athletes can rely on, someone who brings a level of support and structure they may not have had access to before. My goal is to be the ultimate resource for them.On a personal level, this role gives me the opportunity to pay forward the impact that so many of my own coaches and mentors had on me. It's a chance to help athletes understand that with discipline, effort, intent, and accountability, they can not only reach their goals but exceed them.
 
 Year one will be centered around building strong, lasting relationships with everyone connected to the athletic department. That includes coaches, administrators, support staff, and most importantly, the athletes. The goal is to become fully integrated into the Lewis Athletics community, not just as a strength and conditioning coach but as a trusted and reliable part of the broader team. Relationships, trust, and communication are the foundation of any successful program, and laying that groundwork early is essential to creating long-term impact. I want people to know they can count on me and that I am here to support the overall mission of the department in every way possible.
 
On the training side, the first year will be about exposure, education, and establishing a strong physical and cultural base. Athletes will be gradually introduced to different training methodologies, movement strategies, and performance philosophies. The goal is to help them understand not just the how, but the why behind everything we do. I want to give them the tools and foundation they need not just for immediate gains but for long-term development throughout their athletic careers. What we build in year one will set the tone for everything that follows.