From the weight rooms at Duquesne and Robert Morris to Baldwin High School’s own facility, Assistant Athletic Director Jeremy McCullough has always strived for efficiency and improvement.
“I come from working in college weight rooms like Duquesne and RMU, so I know how I want my weight room to look,” McCullough said.
McCullough is in his second school year working as the assistant athletic director for Baldwin High School. Earlier, McCullough worked in both the Duquesne and Robert Morris weight rooms as a strength and conditioning coach for the two universities.
With his experience in the gym and his drive for improving the facility, McCullough has been key as the district transformed the weight room and obtained professional, high quality machines previously used by the Pittsburgh Steelers. McCullough is quick to credit the roles of Athletic Director Tony Cherico, athletic department secretary Diane Kennard, and the custodial and maintenance staff.
“The weight room needed visual improvements like floor replacements and new turf to be installed”, McCullough said.
The repairs and additional equipment have not only improved the weight room’s quality, they have also boosted the popularity of the room among Baldwin athletes and students.
Cherico said he is amazed at the change that McCullough has brought to the weight room.
“The progress Jeremy has made in the weight room has been a huge improvement. A lot of kids have been in there using it, which is what we want to happen,” Cherico said.
Cherico also values McCullough’s passion and dedication to his work as assistant athletic director.
“Effort is a keyword for him. He goes hard all the time,” Cherico said. “His enthusiasm in the weight room and his knowledge is second to none, and he gets the kids excited to be there.”
As for the additional weight room equipment, McCullough was able to secure about $75,000 worth of professional equipment for students through the Steelers.
“The Steelers were getting all new equipment, so they invited all the WPIAL schools to look at the old equipment. I went down there and looked at what would fit best for us, and we luckily got two full big trailers of equipment,” McCullough said.
The crown jewel of the new weight room is a piece of equipment called the Keiser machine. It is a squatting rack that uses air pressure rather than actual weights and barbells for safer lifting with less strain.
Junior athlete Andre Diven, who plays on the football team, has seen the improvements McCullough has made.
“Jeremy’s improvements have boosted team spirits and have definitely helped us improve our team as a whole,” Diven said.
Diven also appreciates the after-school lifting sessions that McCullough hosts, which are open to all students – athletes or not. McCullough makes detailed lifting plans for all the athletes and students who come to the sessions.
Additional improvements are still to come in the weight room, with new dumbbells, barbells, and weight racks expected soon.
With all of the improvements, the weight room is appreciated by students, Divens said.
“The weight room is definitely a lot better than freshman year, and I feel like most people would agree with me on that,” Diven said.
