Dr. Alex Koch is a professor of exercise science at Lenoir-Rhyne and has been a weightlifting and powerlifting coach since 1996. He is passionate about using scientific principles to guide athletes to become stronger while managing fatigue and reducing injury risk. Dr. Koch is extensively trained in sports science, holding a PhD in Exercise Physiology (2000), has been a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist since 1996, and is a National level coach and coaching course instructor for USA Weightlifting. At Lenoir-Rhyne, he coaches athletes competing in weightlifting, powerlifting & both sports (supertotal).
Prior to coming to Lenoir-Rhyne, Dr. Koch coached a club weightlifting team at Truman State University from 2001-2011. He has coached several athletes to compete at the elite level, including one two-time (2007 & 2011) Senior World Team member for USA Weightlifting, several World University team members for USA weightlifting, two athletes competing at the 2023 IPF University World Cup, and multiple medalists at the Senior National Championships and American Open in Weightlifting.Â
Since the team's founding in 2020, Lenoir-Rhyne athletes have consistently won medals at the University National Championships for both weightlifting and powerlifting. In 2023, the LR Men’s team placed 2nd at the Powerlifting American University National Championships.Â
