The University of Maryland Eastern Shore named Lauren Cooper its assistant strength and conditioning coach Sept. 15, 2026. Cooper will be responsible for the strength and conditioning programs for the Hawks’ baseball, softball, and track and field programs under head strength and conditioning coach Christopher Puzzo.
Cooper joins the University of Maryland Eastern Shore after gaining collegiate strength and conditioning experience at four institutions. She most recently served as a strength and conditioning intern at Villanova University from 2025-26.
Lauren Cooper’s Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Experience
Cooper served as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant at Fairleigh Dickinson University from 2023-25. Her responsibilities included baseball, women’s lacrosse, women’s bowling, and track and field throwers.
She worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at St. Thomas Aquinas College from 2022-23. Cooper worked with baseball, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey while also assisting with men’s and women’s basketball, softball, and track and field. She also served as an assistant field hockey coach at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Cooper began her collegiate strength and conditioning career as an intern at Pace University in 2022. She worked with football, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and field hockey, and also has experience as a personal trainer with Hackensack Meridian Fitness & Wellness.
Lauren Cooper’s Education and Certifications
Cooper earned a master’s degree in sports management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2025, graduating with a 3.95 GPA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2022 with a 3.77 GPA.
A native of the United Kingdom, Cooper completed her secondary education at The British School in the Netherlands. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds Heartsaver CPR & AED certification through the American Heart Association.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Cooper brings experience working with multiple collegiate sports to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore strength and conditioning staff. Her responsibilities will focus on the Hawks’ baseball, softball, and track and field programs.
Source: Original report
