BRIAN ROLLER
Brian Roller is a collegiate strength & conditioning coach and former NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey player.
With nearly a decade of coaching experience, he has seen what it takes to train, compete and win at a high level. And with nearly two decades of playing and training experience, he has his own skin in the game too.
Drawing from his own experience both on the ice and off, Brian has worked with athletes of all ages; from youth, high school, collegiate and professional.
He currently holds a Master’s degree in Sports Management, Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and currently holds certifications through the NSCA, CSCCa and CETI as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) and as a Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES) respectively.
Originally from Utica, NY, Brian currently resides in Jacksonville, FL with his girlfriend Jyll and their three dogs, Kilo, Kylo & Finn.
COACH
Brian is currently the Director of Sports Performance at Jacksonville University. In this role, he leads a talented Olympic Sports staff which serves the performance needs of 15 athletic teams at the university. He also serves as the Sports Performance Coach for the Baseball & Women’s Soccer programs. Simultaneously, Roller leads the departments mentorship program as an Approved Mentor for the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa).
With a decade of coaching at the NCAA Division I level, he has coached several conference championship teams, 18 MLB draft picks, 3 MLS draft picks, numerous free agent signees and multiple international competitors.
# 15
Brian has had a passion for sports since he was able to stand on his own two... SKATES!
Brian played baseball and soccer at a young age, but from the age of six, he shifted all competitive focus to ice hockey. From ages 15-19, Brian played junior hockey in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) with the Capital District Selects and Syracuse Stars. He played in several Summer Select Showcases such as winning Gold & Silver medals at the Empire State Games and Hockey Night in Boston, among others. He finished his career playing NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey for the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons.
After a knee and shoulder injury in high school, Brian began training with his first Strength & Conditioning Coach over the course of a summer off-season. He discovered first-hand what sound training principles could do for not only an athlete’s ability in their sport, but also the confidence and work ethic development necessary as they walk through life.
Weightlifting quickly became a passion; choosing to go to a school that would provide him with an education so that he could one day provide the same value to others through Strength & Conditioning.
Through the use of his formal education, playing and coaching experience, he has chosen to take his long-time passion of training and use it to serve student-athletes. By using his passion, he can play a small role in helping their dreams become a reality.
Little Bri
Brian is the proud son of Brian & Brenda. Filled with gratitude, it is because of them that he was allowed to carry out the life detailed above.
Currently, his father is battling a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. In 2013, his mother was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer.
After a double mastectomy, his mother brought home a stack of paper with exercises to complete. The exercises were designed to help regain overhead range of motion and minimize the risk of lymphedema. However, further guidance was needed and not provided.
It was at that moment that Brian’s passion to help those effected by cancer began. Through research, he found the Cancer Exercise Training Institute (CETI) and began the Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES) curriculum.
Today, Brian is the only Cancer Exercise Specialist in Jacksonville, Florida according to the CETI registry.
Brian’s goal is to help minimize the effects of surgery & treatments for those affected by cancer by helping restore range of motion, reverse postural issues that arise from surgery and reconstruction, while simultaneously bringing awareness and prevention of lymphedema. Brian hopes to restore a patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks a little bit easier. By doing so, one can restore normality in their everyday life with confidence and dignity so that they can SHINE THEIR LIGHT!