Dave Cencer, Director of Hockey Operations/Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist/Video Coordinator

Dave Cencer will begin his fourth year with the Ferris State University men's ice hockey program in the 2008-09 season.

Cencer, who presently serves dual roles as the Bulldogs' director of hockey operations and is the team's video coordinator, is also the ice hockey program's strength and conditioning coach. As such he coordinates all in-season and off-season training for the Bulldogs, creating individual, hockey-specific programs for each of the Ferris State players. Cencer, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, is currently completing a master's degree in Sports Fitness and will graduate in May, 2009. Work from his master's program studies has received national recognition, being published in a pair of sport science journals. He directs his focus with the Bulldogs on nutrition, position-specific training, speed/power mechanics and injury prevention.

A native of Big Rapids, Mich., Cencer is also responsible for all video breakdown using a state-of-the-art digital video computer-editing system which includes live breakdown during all games. Along with coordinating the Bulldogs' off-ice strength and conditioning programs, Cencer is involved in game preparation, scouting, and assisting with administrative duties.

Cencer is certainly no stranger to the Ferris State Hockey program having spent two seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05) doing video work for the Bulldogs on a voluntary basis. He has served as an instructor and co-director at the Ferris State Hockey Skills Center since 2005, worked as a coach at the 2008 Michigan Amateur Hockey Association bantam state festival and assisted in strength and conditioning testing at the 2008 Philadelphia Flyers (National Hockey League) Player Development Camp.

Cencer received a degree in Communications Arts from Franciscan University (Ohio) in 2003 and also was an undergraduate at Northern Michigan University from 1999-01.

Cencer, a member of the American Hockey Coaches Association and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, resides in Big Rapids with his wife, Anna. An avid runner and triathlete, he enjoyed top age-group finishes in the 2007 Grand Island (Mich.) Trail Marathon and the 2008 Maple City (Ohio) Triathlon.