ST. AUGUSTINE – The Flagler College Department of Athletics has hired Tom Palumbo as its first full-time strength and conditioning coach.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to have Tom joining our staff,” said Jud Damon, Director of Athletics. “He has an impressive background and we expect the expertise he brings to Flagler to make a great impact on the physical preparation, injury prevention, and competitiveness of our athletes and teams. He has a vision for the future of our strength and conditioning program and the work ethic to make it happen."

Palumbo comes to Flagler from The Ohio State University where he served as an associate strength and conditioning coach since 2003. He directed the women's lacrosse, women's ice hockey, men's swimming, women's golf and rifle teams recently, but has worked with 28 sports during his time with the Buckeyes. Prior to Palumbo's time in Columbus, he had a stint as the Minor League conditioning coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the assistant director of strength and conditioning at the University of Georgia (1999-01).

Palumbo worked directly with 15 future Olympians as well as 33 All-Americans. Some of the notable student-athletes he worked with includes two-time gold medal winner Courtney Shealy (swimming) and Tessa Bonhomme and Debbie Ferguson who both earned gold medals in their respective sports of women's ice hockey and track. Palumbo worked with 2012 Master's champion Bubba Watson at Georgia.

He started work at Flagler on Monday (July 9).