COACH PATRICK DOLAN
_____________________________________________________
Director of Health & Performance Services
BRIEF BIO
Patrick Dolan has more than 15 years of effective experience in exercise and sport. His interdisciplinary expertise across strength & conditioning, rehabilitation and wellness, and data-science provides a wholistic approach to IMPROVE + OPTIMIZE performance while mitigating risk of injury or disease. He has managed services for numerous NCAA Division I institutions, MLB & MLS organizations, National Governing Bodies across North America and Ireland, as well as worked with dozens of clients with various backgrounds in the private sector. He has a PhD in Sport Science (Injury Epidemiology and Reduction), a MSc in Human Performance, and BSc in Sport & Exercise Physiology. His work continues to be published in leading academic journals and conference proceedings worldwide.
For four years Coach Pat led the injury epidemiology and reduction strategies for the men’s and women’s All-Ireland League (AIL), the highest domestic amateur Rugby Union competition in Ireland. He designed the ENGAGE Readiness & Robustness Programme, which the national governing body, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), has now adopted and promotes as best-practice for players’ physical preparation across Ireland. For five years Coach Pat also served as a contractor for the US Soccer Federation (2018-2023), leading the High Performance strategies for dozens of domestic and international tournaments for Men’s and Women’s Youth National Teams, Senior Beach & Senior Futsal Teams, and represented #TeamUSA at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile with the Men’s National Team (u22). Since successfully serving as the Tournament Medical Coordinator for the U-21 Men’s Lacrosse World Championships in 2022, he continues to serve on the Medical Commission for World Lacrosse as Epidemiology & Data-Science Lead, responsible for improving the safety and performance of players globally in field, box, and sixes lacrosse.
Coach Pat wanted to bring his expertise to wider communities and not to only one individual person or organization, and so he founded Performance Directions (PD).
PD works with a variety of clientele, such as busy CEOs aiming to improve their lifestyle, individuals trying to lose weight and re-strengthen their family relationships, and seniors who need fundamental strength training to relieve pain and mitigate diseases like osteoporosis and sarcopenia. PD also continues to train youth and elite athletes and teams across a variety of sports including Soccer, Lacrosse, Football, Basketball, Rugby, Baseball, Gymnastics, Triathlon, Water Polo, Volleyball, Track & Field and more.
CURRICILUM VITAE
PHILOSOPHY
To design and deliver strategies which follow physiologically sound and orthopedically safe principles in order to maximize human potential and experience.
Programs are tailored to match environmental demands and individual goals, while utilizing technology and data to improve efficiency, recovery and repeatability.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); Sport Science
University of Limerick (Ireland), Faculty of Education & Health Sciences (EHS)
Thesis Title: Injury Epidemiology and Reduction in Men’s and Women’s Rugby Union in Ireland.
The department of Physical Education & Sport Science (PESS) is ranked 40th in the Sports Science School and Departments Shanghai Global University Rankings and ranked in the top 51-100 in the QS World University Rankings.
Master of Science (MSc); Human Performance
Lindenwood University (Saint Charles, MO, USA)
Thesis Title: Effect of Carbohydrate, Caffeine, and Carbohydrate + Caffeine Mouth Rinsing on Intermittent Running Performance in NCAA Lacrosse Athletes.
Bachelor of Science (BSc); Sport & Exercise Physiology
DeSales University (Center Valley, PA, USA)
Minor: Psychology
CERTIFICATIONS & COURSES
Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC)
Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa)
*Approved Mentor (1 of 462 globally)
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Mental Health First Aid
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
L2 Immediate Care in Rugby
World Rugby
SafeSport Trained
U.S. Center for SafeSport (Youth)
Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRCms)
Functional Range Systems
Dynamic Stretch Specialist
LifeTime
Basic Life Support | CPR | First Aid
American Heart Association (AHA)
HIGH PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
World Lacrosse (Medical Commission)
Epidemiology & Data-Science Lead (2022-present)
Ø Active governance and commission member responsible for injury & illness epidemiology and data-science.
Ø Use evidence to support the updating or creation of new policy for all matters of health and safety.
Ø Assist in the strategic planning of emergency action plans and safety regulations ahead of world championships.
Medical Commission Representative (June-July 2023) Senior Men’s World Championships
Ø Represented our medical commission on-site during the championships, liaising with the Tournament Medical Coordinator and Chief Medical Officer to ensure all World Lacrosse Sports Medicine Policies & Procedures were followed.
Ø Lead the injury & illness epidemiology across 30 nations to help improve the welfare of all current & future lacrosse players.
Tournament Medical Coordinator (July-August 2022) U21 Men’s World Championships
Ø Coordinate all medical provisions across physicians, paramedics, physiotherapists, and volunteers.
Ø Support medical services and injury & illness data collection across 23 competing nations.
United States Soccer Federation
High Performance (Independent Contractor) (2018-2023)
Ø Represent the High Performance department during Youth National Team, Senior Beach and Senior Futsal domestic camps and international competitions, serving as the bridge between sports medicine, technical and administrative staffs, and responsible for guiding optimal team performance, recovery and health.
Ø Lead strength and conditioning strategies, nutrition plans, sport science analysis while assisting the head coach in special projects such as personnel selection, team-building, and player and staff education.
Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance- Sport & Human Performance Research Centre (UL)
Applied Strength & Conditioning Researcher (2019-2023)
Ø Applied Researcher for the IRIS team in partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), responsible for overseeing club-side injury epidemiology & injury reduction research across the highest domestic women’s and men’s amateur league in Ireland (25+ clubs and 1000+ players).
Ø My research included designing, implementing and measuring an injury reduction program to increase player joy, health and performance. My program (ENGAGE) has been adopted by the national governing body (IRFU) as best-practice.
Ø Timely delivered research findings to various stakeholders including subject matter practitioners and policy makers to recommend programmatic changes across resources, equity, and educational curriculums.
Ireland Lacrosse, Swim Ireland, Triathlon Ireland
Strength & Conditioning Coach (Independent Contractor) (2019-2022)
Ø Lead programming and strength and conditioning sessions in preparation for international competitions.
New York Red Bulls
Performance Coach (2018-2019)
Ø Head Performance Coach for the RBNY Academy.
Ø Assistant Performance Coach for the MLS side (1st Team).
Manhattan College
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach (2016-2017)
Ø Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and supervised >420 Student-Athletes, 2 assistant coaches, and all budget, fundraising, policies and procedures.
Ø Active member of the Senior Athletics Administration staff.
Santa Clara University
Assistant Director, Strength & Conditioning (2015-2016)
Ø S&C for Women’s and Men’s Soccer, Women’s and Men’s Water Polo, and assisted Men’s Basketball.
Ø Utilized (x32) Catapult ‘X4’ & Polar Heart Rate Monitors, physical, wellness and readiness data.
Ø Coordinated the S&C Intern-Mentorship Program and led weekly strength staff continuing education.
Lindenwood University
Graduate Assistant, Strength & Conditioning (2013-2015)
Ø S&C for Men’s Basketball, Women’s and Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Gymnastics, and assisted Football.
Ø 2015 ‘Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year ‘.
Detroit Tigers
Strength & Conditioning Assistant (2013)
Ø Head S&C Coach for the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Tigers.
Ø Assisted MiLB Coordinator with long-term rehabilitation services.
Ø Assisted MLB S&C services during Spring Training.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING INTERNSHIPS (since 2009)
University of Denver | Xavier University | Lehigh University | Temple University | MVP Sports Training & Fitness
TEACHING
University of Limerick
Advanced Practices in Strength & Conditioning (SS4092)
Manhattan College
Exercise Science Undergraduate Guest Lectures
PRESENTATIONS, CLINICS, & WEBINARS
1. [2023] Irish Universities Association ‘Thesis-in-3’ – National Finalist (1 of 8 across Ireland)
2. [2023] World Rugby – ACTIVATE and Injury Prevention Implementation Forum
3. [2023] Award Winning‘Thesis-in-3’ – University of Limerick Doctoral Research Competition
4. [2022] Munster and IRFU Coaching Clinic – ENGAGE Readiness, Robustness, Performance
5. [2022] 6th Annual All-Ireland Conference in Sport Sciences, Physical Activity & Education (DCU)
6. [2022] ENGAGE Readiness & Robustness Webinars – IRFU Provincial program rollout
7. [2022] Women in Sport & Exercise (WISE) International Conference
8. [2021] IRFU Livestream Webinar #9 – ‘Getting Contact Ready’
9. [2021] IRFU Livestream Webinar #7 – ‘Training Hard and Smart Workload Guidelines’
10. [2021] IRFU Livestream Webinar #6 – ‘Warmups Why and What’
11. [2019] Long Island Athletic Performance Clinic – ‘All Things Hamstring’
PUBLICATIONS
Journal Papers
1. [2022] A Systematic Review of Ankle Sprain Risk Factors in Field-based, Team Contact Sports
2. (Forthcoming) ENGAGE Readiness & Robustness Programme: A Mixed Methods Controlled Feasibility Trial in Amateur Adult Rugby Union
3. (Forthcoming) The Design and Development of ENGAGE, a Readiness & Robustness Progamme for Rugby Union
4. (Forthcoming) Resources and Practices in Injury Reduction in Irish Amateur Adult Rugby Union
5. (Forthcoming) A Review of Key Models, Frameworks, and Physical Preparation Programmes in Team-Sport
6. [2017] Mouth Rinsing (CHO, CAFF, & CHO+CAFF) on Intermittent Running Performance in Lacrosse
Technical Reports
1. [2022-2023] 2022-23 IRIS IRFU National Injury Surveillance Report
2. [2021-2022] 2021-22 IRIS IRFU National Injury Surveillance Report
3. [2019-2020] 2019-20 IRIS IRFU National Injury Surveillance Report
Conference Communications (Primary Author)
1. [2023] American College of Sports Medicine 73rd Annual Meeting & World Congress
2. [2022] Proceedings of the 6th Annual All-Ireland Conference (DCU), 9 September 2022, Dublin, IE.
4. [2021] Proceedings of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) 2021, 8-10 September 2021, Cologne, DE.
Conference Communications (Co-Author)
1. [2023] Kenny, I.C., Billingham, T., Dolan, P., Cahalan, R., Warrington, G.D., Yeomans, C., Glynn, L., Campbell, M.J., Lyons, M., Harrison, A.J., Purtill, H., Mulvihill. J.J.E. and Comyns, T.M. (2023) Four Year Analysis of Playing Surface Relationship to Injuries in Adult Amateur Rugby Union. Proceedings of the National Sport & Human Performance Conference 2023, 29 September 2023, Limerick, Ireland.
2. [2023] Billingham, T., Comyns, T.M., Mulvihill, J.J.E., Dolan, P., Yeomans, C., Viviers, P.L. and Kenny, I.C. (2023) Concussion and Subsequent Injuries In Amateur Community Rugby Union. Submitted for presentation at the 70th ACSM American College of Sports Medicine Conference 2023, 30 May – 2 June 2023, Denver, USA.
3. [2023] Comyns, T.M., Purtill, H., Warrington, G.D., Cahalan, R., O’Sullivan, K., Glynn, L.G., Campbell, M.J., Lyons, M., Harrison, A.J., Yeomans, C., Dolan, P. and Kenny, I.C. (2023) Comparison Of Amateur Rugby Match-injury Incidence Rates Between Pre And Post Covid-19 Lockdown Seasons. Submitted for presentation at the 70th ACSM American College of Sports Medicine Conference 2023, 30 May – 2 June 2023, Denver, USA.
Blogs
1. [2022] Publication: Risk Factors for Acute Ankle Sprains in Field-based Team Contact Sports
2. [2022] Preparing to Be a Strength and Conditioning Coach
3. [2021] Previewing the Design & Implementation of a Structured Warm-Up in Rugby Union
4. [2021] How to Get Off the ‘Rollercoaster’ of Quarantine Workouts, and Keep Climbing!
5. [2020] The Value of a PhD for a Strength and Conditioning Coach
COMMITTEES, CLUBS & SOCIETIES
University of Limerick (UL)
Faculty of Education & Health Science - Faculty Board Representative for Doctoral Researchers (2020-2023)
Health Research Institute - HRIHub Committee Coordinator (2021-2023)
International PhD Mentor Programme - Mentored five 1st-year Algerian PhD Students (2021)
Research Cluster Memberships - Exercise is Medicine | Physical Activity for Health | Emerge (2019-2023)
Be Well @ UL - Lead Online Fitness for UL Staff and Faculty Campus Wide (2020)
DeSales University (DSU)
Salesian (*Ryan) Leadership Institute - 1 of 12 selected nominees (by faculty) campus wide (2010-2012)
Exercise is Medicine - Founded the DSU chapter and President (2011-2012)
Sport & Exercise Science Club - President (2011)
Colleges Against Cancer - Relay For Life Organizing Committee (2010-2012)
COMPETITIVE FUNDING AWARDS
Arcadia University
TBD
Health Research Institute (UL)
International Research Award [€120,800]
School of Education & Health Science (UL)
Professional Development & Research Award [€2,000]
Lindenwood University
Tuition, Fees, and Cost of Living [$70,000]
“ATHLETIC” BACKGROUND
Endurance
Triathlons - x2 (2015, 2020)
Marathons - x1 (NYC-2017)
Half Marathons - x2 (Philly Rock & Roll-2012, Philly Half 2017)
Broad Street Run (10mi.) - x3 (2017, 2020, 2021)
College (DeSales University)
Giant Slalom, Snowboard - (Ski & Snowboard Team, 2010-11, 2011-12)
High School (St. Joe’s Prep)
Soccer (4 years) | Crew (3 years)
Soccer
FC Coppa (2002-2010) | Olympic Development Program (2004-05, 2005-06)