GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Joe Novotasky has been named Furman's new director of sports performance, it was announced today by Jason Donnelly, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics.
 
Novotasky, who served the past four years as the Paladins' assistant director of strength training & conditioning, succeeds André Bernardi, who recently accepted a position at Western Michigan University.

"We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Joe Novotasky as our new director of sports performance," said Donnelly.  "Joe has done an outstanding job with our programs and is a rising star in the profession. He comes highly recommended by our student athletes and coaches and is a leader who will continue the exceptional strength and conditioning culture that has been created in recent years at Furman."
 
"I feel so blessed and excited to lead the Furman Paladin sport performance program," said Novotasky. "I want to thank Jason Donnelly for this opportunity to lead and develop our athletes and am committed to upholding the culture and continuing to help grow our department."
 
In his new role Novotasky will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of strength, speed, and conditioning programs for Furman's 18 sports.  In addition, he will develop sport-specific strength and conditioning programs that are supported by scientifically proven periodization, with an emphasis on athlete safety and performance. 
 
Novotasky joined Furman's athletics program in May of 2021 as an assistant strength training & conditioning coach following almost two years at nearby North Greenville University, where he served as the Crusaders' director of strength training and conditioning.
 
During his time at Furman he has worked with football, men's soccer, and men's tennis programs.
 
At North Greenville, Novotasky was responsible for the overall operation of the strength and conditioning program for the school's 19 NCAA Division II sports.
 
He assumed director duties after serving as an assistant coach in NGU's strength training program for seventh months, working primarily with the football, baseball, and men's lacrosse programs.
 
Novotasky served as director of strength training and as football defensive line coach at Riverside High School from 2013-15 after working one year as a performance coach at Greenville's D1 Sports.
 
A three-year football starter at NGU, he served as a team captain in 2009, his senior year, and graduated in 2010 with a bachelor of science degree in sport management and minor in business administration.
 
He remained in Tigerville for the following two years, serving as a graduate assistant football coach and playing a part in the Crusaders' Victory Bowl title and program's 11-3 campaign and NCAA Division II quarterfinal playoff appearance in 2011.
 
He was awarded a Masters of Business Administration from NGU in 2012.
 
Novotasky is a Certified Strength Training and Conditioning Specialist and USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach.  He is also a graduate of the American Safety Training Institute and holds CPR Pro (AED) certification.
 
He and his wife, Jessica, are blessed with two children -- a girl, Lane, and a boy, Byars.