UW Kinesiology and Health Student Wins Lance Vermeil Scholarship Award

A University of Wyoming Division of Kinesiology and Health student received the 2026 Lance Vermeil Scholarship Award at the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association National Conference (CSCCa) May 4-6 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Oscar Martinez, a graduate student in the division, part of the College of Health Sciences, is a certified strength and conditioning coach who works with UW Athletics. He is pursuing his master's degree in kinesiology and also is conducting research related to strength and conditioning.

The Lance Vermeil Scholarship Award is in memory of Lance Vermeil, who was an extremely qualified and dedicated young strength and conditioning coach. Vermeil was committed to the profession of collegiate strength and conditioning and, most importantly, to serving and protecting the student-athlete.

"I am very honored to receive this award because of what it represents," Martinez says. "Attending the CSCCa conference, passing the SCCC (Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified) exam and receiving this award reinforced my passion for coaching and developing student-athletes."

Martinez, a native of Gillette, will receive a $2,500 scholarship and an Eleiko bar, which is a type of barbell tailored for Olympic weightlifting and other types of physical training.

Michael Cotterman, director of Olympic sports performance at UW's Rochelle Athletics Center, nominated and championed for Martinez to receive the award through his professional organization, the CSCCa. Cotterman has had a working relationship for several years with Martinez, from when he first arrived on the UW campus and interned, to progressing to a graduate assistant coach with athletics.

"Oscar made an impression from day one when he came to my office as a curious undergrad and demonstrated he had a sincere interest in this field," Cotterman says. "Through his dedication and work ethic, he earned more responsibility each year. To become a good coach, you must first be a great person, and Oscar stands as a solid example."

"This award is a great testament to the hard work Oscar has devoted to UW Athletics as a strength and conditioning coach while simultaneously pursuing his master's degree in the Division of Kinesiology and Health," says Francesca Genoese, an assistant professor of rehabilitation science in the division. "As a graduate student, Oscar brings a genuine intellectual curiosity to the classroom every day, and his ability to connect course concepts and research with real-world practice will undoubtedly make him an outstanding professional in the field."

Each year, two winners are selected -- a male and female -- from a national pool of nominees who demonstrate a commitment to having a career in the field of strength and conditioning on the collegiate and/or professional level and show tremendous potential and inclination for this unique profession. They also must be certified as SCCC or planning to sit for the SCCC certification exam at the upcoming national conference.

"After graduation, my goal is to continue building a career in collegiate strength and conditioning while continuing to learn and grow," says Martinez, who is on track to graduate in spring 2027.

"Oscar's recognition with the Lance Vermeil Scholarship Award reflects the exceptional talent, dedication and professionalism we strive to cultivate at the University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences," says Patrick Hardigan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. "His commitment to student-athlete success, combined with his academic achievement and passion for strength and conditioning, exemplifies the impact our students are making both on campus and within their professions. We are proud to see Oscar represent UW and the state of Wyoming on a national stage."