Admin Spotlight: Nicole Sampson
By MARYN BOWMAN, JILLIAN CHENG, and ANDREW YANG
When people peer into the glass windows of Downer Fitness Center, they see the Academy’s ultimate hub for athletic training, lined with rows of treadmills, athletes huffing and puffing, and the clanging of dropped weights. But most notably, they see Coach Nicole Sampson, hair clipped up and chatting with athletes. She hands out workout sheets, adjusts athletes’ technique, and encourages athletes to keep challenging themselves.
Sampson joined the athletics department in 2021 after working for the strength and conditioning team at the University of Denver. As the current head strength and conditioning coach at Phillips Exeter, Sampson commented on her role. “I help athletes achieve peak performance and be ahead of the curve when preparing for college athletic careers and beyond,” she said.
As the head strength and conditioning coach, Sampson cultivates a positive and safe environment within the fitness centers. “I want to push the needle forward in the world of high school strength & conditioning and have PEA be an example to other schools across the country,” Sampson said. “Building systems that are effective and efficient within training, programming, scheduling, and technology integration is how we will do this.”
Jason Baseden, Director of Physical Education & Athletics, praised Sampson on her expertise and ability to foster a supportive environment for student-athletes. He noted, “Her expertise in strength and conditioning has not only elevated the performance of our athletes but also significantly reduced injuries through proactive prevention programs. She has cultivated a positive and supportive environment in the Downer Fitness Center, making it a hub for both athletic development and community building.”
Baseden continued by sharing how Sampson’s work has greatly benefited the athletic department. “Her dedication extends beyond athletes, as she also works with faculty and staff, enhancing the overall culture of fitness and wellness on campus. Coach Samson’s ability to connect with students and tailor her programs to their needs has made a profound impact on our department’s success,” he said.
From a young age, Sampson was exposed to athletics and conditioning training. She shared, “Growing up in the middle of two brothers fueled my competitive nature and laid the foundation of athletics for me at an early age.” Her first encounter with physical therapy was in high school after a challenging injury. “Playing collegiate soccer was my first real exposure to strength & conditioning, training with a team, and having a strength coach. My first strength coach was a female who also worked with the football team on campus. I didn’t realize until that point that I could both turn strength & conditioning into a full-time career and be a female within the field. I changed my major from physical therapy to exercise science, had amazing mentors, and started my journey into strength & conditioning.”
In addition to her extensive background in athletics and physical education, a unique aspect of Sampson’s coaching is her willingness to support and connect with students. “I really love seeing the difference in a team from the beginning of the term to the end, having built strength and confidence in the weight room. I have a few memories that stick out regarding athletes who have been afraid to try something, but then put themselves out there and had success with either a new movement or weight. I love it when students get back on campus after the summer and hear all about their training or adventures throughout the break,” she reflected.
To Sampson, the connections that she builds with students last beyond graduation. “I also really enjoy it when alumni come back and fill me in about their college strength & conditioning or talk about how much fun they had in Downer. It makes me feel like we’re doing the right thing within our department for the community,” she explained.
Baseden also commented on Sampson’s lively presence in the athletic community and described some of his favorite moments. “Every day is a fun and memorable moment with Nicole. She is a happy and positive person. It has been fun to watch her get to know this place and the ‘sometimes quirkiness’ that comes with it. Neither of us grew up or were educated in an environment such as PEA and it is always nice to get eye contact when we see things in a similar way. Especially in faculty meetings,” he added.
Sampson’s positive energy spreads throughout the athletic community at PEA. Not only does she dedicate much attention to her student’s athletic performance, but she also never forgets to connect with and encourage them. She concluded, “I loved the challenge of this role and cannot wait to see the continued growth and progress within our department!”