The United States Olympic Committee today announced Neal Henderson of Boulder, CO as the 2011 Doc Counsilman Science Award winner and one of its coaches of the year.
For years, Henderson has been at the forefront of applying scientific principles in the lab and on the field to improve athlete performance in the world of cycling. During the 2010-11 season, he formulated additional tools and protocols for aerodynamic drag analysis, which helped determine the specific power required for cyclists to attain a given speed. The results helped pace the USA Cycling team to a silver-medal finish at the 2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Later that summer, Henderson continued aerodynamic testing to help identify the best wheel combinations for U.S. cyclists competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Nominated by USA Cycling, Henderson is a rare, dual-certified elite USA Cycling and USA Triathlon coach and has been instrumental in establishing training methods based on exercise physiology, including supplemental oxygen training and a computrainer program for junior cyclists at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine.
He was recognized at a reception during the 2012 National Coaching Conference at the NCAA Hall of Champions.
“… have impacted countless athletes throughout… exemplary careers,” said Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance. “… shining examples of the team behind the team and their efforts have encouraged athletes of all levels to strive for excellence.”
National Governing Bodies selected their 2011 Coaches of the Year as part of the USOC Coach of the Year Recognition Program. The three finalists in each category were chosen by a panel of coaching and sport education professionals.
