From Underdog to Champion: The Rise of Doug Elisaia

Doug Elisaia stood on the field of the Superdome in New Orleans, surveying the celebration of the University of Utah football team's stunning 31-17 victory over fourth-ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, capping a 13-0 season and securing at least a share of the national championship. Elisaia, the Director of Strength and Conditioning coach for the University of Utah, could never have imagined this moment, having grown up in American Samoa and playing for Iowa Wesleyan College, a small church-school program. Elisaia's journey from underdog to champion is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and the lessons he learned at Iowa Wesleyan.

Key Takeaways:

• Elisaia, a 36-year-old American Samoan native, was a defensive tackle for Iowa Wesleyan College from 1991-1995 and led the team in tackles as a senior, earning NAIA Academic All-America honors.
• He learned valuable lessons at Iowa Wesleyan, including the importance of relishing the role of underdog and staying humble, which he applied to his coaching career.
• Elisaia worked under former Iowa Wesleyan coach Hal Mumme at the University of Kentucky, where he got his start as a strength and conditioning coach.
• He was recruited by Utah defensive coordinator Gary Anderson and has been in his current role for four years, growing in responsibility and developing programs to improve player strength and agility.
• Elisaia's position as Director of Strength and Conditioning was critical in the Sugar Bowl game against Alabama, where the Utes' speed, strength, and solid defense overcame the Crimson Tide's size and strength.
• Elisaia remains connected to his roots in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he was married and his children were born, and has never forgotten the support and hospitality he received from the community, which was reminiscent of his upbringing in American Samoa.
• Elisaia's success is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and the values he learned at Iowa Wesleyan, which he applies to his coaching philosophy and relationships with his players and colleagues.

Statistics:

• 13-0 season record for University of Utah football team
• 31-17 victory over fourth-ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl
• 4-year tenure as Director of Strength and Conditioning for University of Utah
• 11-time winner of the Sugar Bowl trophy as player or coach
• 85 players on scholarship for University of Utah football team
• 36 years old, age of Doug Elisaia
• 4 different coaches played for as a player at Iowa Wesleyan College
• 10-year time period as a strength and conditioning coach in the NCAA

Sources:

• "The Hawk Eye", Burlington, Iowa, Copyright (c) 2009, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa
• McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
• tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com
• 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA