COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Tirelessly dedicated to improving the lives and futures of countless student-athletes since he first stepped foot onto Menlo College in 2008, Assistant Athletic Director Student-Athlete Health, Wellness and Performance Victor Brankovich now finds himself among the nominees for NSCA College Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year.

"I am honored to be nominated for the NSCA College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award," Brankovich said. "Over the past 15 years, I have dedicated my career to advancing the strength and conditioning profession through evidence-based programming, measurable athlete outcomes, and a holistic approach that positions performance training as the cornerstone of athlete health, academic success, and character development."

Transformative Leadership, Measurable Impact
Over the course of his time at Menlo, Brankovich has built and led a unified, multidisciplinary performance department serving 19 NCAA Division II sports. Distinguished by his integration of strength and conditioning with sports medicine, nutrition, mental health, and academic support, Brankovich has worked to create a comprehensive athlete care model that has delivered quantifiable results.

Among those measurables have been reduced injury rates and improved return-to-play timelines through data-driven load management and athlete monitoring systems as well as elevated overall athletic performance via periodized, sport-specific programming informed by force plate analytics, wearable technology, and individualized biomarker tracking. Brankovich's design has also significantly enhanced team performance outcomes by aligning strength and conditioning protocols with coaching staff objectives and competitive calendars across multiple sports.

Systems Architecture, Innovation
Thoughtful in every aspect of his structure, Brankovich's contributions to the field extend beyond individual athlete development to building scalable, sustainable systems that modernize collegiate strength and conditioning programs.

Using advanced analytics platforms while integrating WHOOP band data, Hawkins Force Plates, and TeamBuildr programming, he has designed and implemented comprehensive athlete monitoring dashboards. When it comes to staff training, graduate assistant education, and intern development, his standardized protocols have ensured consistency and quality across all sports. Always seeking synergy, Brankovich has unified the communication between strength coaches, athletic trainers, sport coaches, and academic advisors that prioritize athlete wellbeing while maximizing performance.

Professional Development, Contribution to the Field
Never one to rest on his laurels, Brankovich has demonstrated his commitment to advancing the strength and conditioning profession through continuous education and professional involvement. In addition to holding his RSCC-D certification which reflects advanced expertise and dedication to the NSCA's highest coaching standards, he has continuously pursued additional certifications (NASM Nutrition) to enhance his master's degree in Exercise Science.

Actively engaged with current research literature, Brankovich can be found applying evidence-based methodologies including periodization models, concurrent training strategies, and sex-specific programming considerations while mentoring his team of graduate assistants and interns, preparing the next generation of strength and conditioning professionals.

Philosophy, Vision
Demonstrating his ability to operate at the intersection of strategic vision and tactical execution on a daily basis, Brankovich has designed long-term departmental frameworks while simultaneously managing daily programming for diverse athlete populations. As a result, he has been able to build performance departments that align stakeholder priorities, advance institutional missions, and deliver measurable results.

"I believe strength and conditioning programs should serve as more than weight room sessions — they are educational platforms for developing lifelong health habits in nutrition, sleep, hydration, and resilience," Brankovich said. "My four-year athlete development model ensures that every student-athlete leaves our program not only as a better competitor but as a healthier, more capable individual prepared for life beyond sport."

Built Different, Proven Daily
The NSCA College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award recognizes dedication to advancing athletic performance through safe, effective, science-based programs. And, with a proven track record of systems innovation, measurable athlete outcomes, holistic program philosophy, and commitment to professional excellence, Brankovich embodies the values this award represents.

"I look forward to continuing to contribute to the advancement of our profession and the development of student-athletes who will carry forward the principles of strength, health, and integrity throughout their lives," Brankovich said.

From cutting-edge data systems to a fully integrated athlete care model, Brankovich's impact at Menlo remains measurable, sustainable, and truly game-changing.