Graduate Assistant Spotlight: Brian “Bo” Bonacci
7/14/2020 11:30:00 AM | Athletics Department
MACON, Ga. – Over the next few weeks MercerBears.com will be speaking with several graduate assistants in the Mercer University Athletics department. These people work behind the scenes while working toward their master's degree. It's our hope that after reading each of these articles, Bear fans will come to appreciate just how important each person is to Mercer success.
Our next profile focuses on Brian "Bo" Bonacci, a strength and conditioning coach for Mercer Athletics. He sat down with MercerBears.com for a short interview which follows below:
Describe your job description?
The Strength and Conditioning department are usually the big guys that you always hear yelling at the athletes about lifting heavy things. We generally look to help improve the strength and athletic ability of any athletes and teams we oversee through exercise prescription. This can include weightlifting, running, and different drills to accomplish these goals of the individual or the team.
How did you get started in this career field?
I had switched my major to Exercise Science and I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do with it, but it lined up well with strength and conditioning. Along the way I had great coaches and mentors at Iowa State by the names of Yancy McKnight and Erich Anthony that sort of pushed me towards that idea because of the great examples they held in my life and athletic career. I found my place in the weight room and during workouts because everyone was on an even playing field essentially when there, so I wanted to excel in those aspects to make up for what I lacked on the football field. I ended up being pretty decent when it came to the training aspect of football which created my high energy, 'doesn't matter who you are, ill outwork you', personality within the team. My passion for it developed along when I learned how much you can find out about yourself when training hard and the life lessons you can teach others through Strength & Conditioning. It allows me to truly be me.
What's a typical day for you?
Typically, it's a pretty early wakeup, around 4, which I'll eat something then train (fueled by a lot of caffeine) for a little before our first groups come in. Training groups are about 1 to 1 ½ hours each at the moment because of safety precautions. Over lunch I'll usually re-stim back up to finish my training, running, and eat before the last groups in the afternoon come in for training. Finish strong with those groups, get our daily cleaning done, and then head home around 5 or 6 depending on the day.
What are some challenges you face as a graduate assistant, and what are the rewards?
Challenges include balancing schoolwork while also holding a full-time job, but it is a great measure for having to keep an efficient time management schedule. The rewarding part however is the relationships you can build in college athletics with the others in the same boat as you.
Fun Facts
Our next profile focuses on Brian "Bo" Bonacci, a strength and conditioning coach for Mercer Athletics. He sat down with MercerBears.com for a short interview which follows below:
Describe your job description?
The Strength and Conditioning department are usually the big guys that you always hear yelling at the athletes about lifting heavy things. We generally look to help improve the strength and athletic ability of any athletes and teams we oversee through exercise prescription. This can include weightlifting, running, and different drills to accomplish these goals of the individual or the team.
How did you get started in this career field?
I had switched my major to Exercise Science and I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do with it, but it lined up well with strength and conditioning. Along the way I had great coaches and mentors at Iowa State by the names of Yancy McKnight and Erich Anthony that sort of pushed me towards that idea because of the great examples they held in my life and athletic career. I found my place in the weight room and during workouts because everyone was on an even playing field essentially when there, so I wanted to excel in those aspects to make up for what I lacked on the football field. I ended up being pretty decent when it came to the training aspect of football which created my high energy, 'doesn't matter who you are, ill outwork you', personality within the team. My passion for it developed along when I learned how much you can find out about yourself when training hard and the life lessons you can teach others through Strength & Conditioning. It allows me to truly be me.
What's a typical day for you?
Typically, it's a pretty early wakeup, around 4, which I'll eat something then train (fueled by a lot of caffeine) for a little before our first groups come in. Training groups are about 1 to 1 ½ hours each at the moment because of safety precautions. Over lunch I'll usually re-stim back up to finish my training, running, and eat before the last groups in the afternoon come in for training. Finish strong with those groups, get our daily cleaning done, and then head home around 5 or 6 depending on the day.
What are some challenges you face as a graduate assistant, and what are the rewards?
Challenges include balancing schoolwork while also holding a full-time job, but it is a great measure for having to keep an efficient time management schedule. The rewarding part however is the relationships you can build in college athletics with the others in the same boat as you.
Fun Facts
- Birthplace: Southlake, Texas
- College: Iowa State University
- Favorite Sports Team other than Mercer: Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, New York Yankees, Iowa State Cyclones
- Favorite Phrase: "You don't shine in the bright lights. The bright lights only reveal your work in the dark."
- Favorite Social Media: Instagram
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