Gentlepersons of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and
whoever may be concerned:
This letter shall serve as my formal relinquishment of my Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist credential. I was in the first group to test for the CSCS in
1985, and was among the minority of applicants to pass the exam and be granted
the credential, which I was proud to hold for many years.
However, the NSCA has apparently taken a different direction from the one with
which I so closely identified 23 years ago. My professional emphasis has remained
on the improvement of strength and conditioning, while that of the NSCA has
apparently changed. Its professional publications are quite thoroughly reflective of
a shift in emphasis to physical therapy and athletic training, while failing, in my
opinion, to address the actual processes by which athletes are made more strong
and conditioned,and further, in my opinion, failing to meet the minimum standards
for a quality scientific publication.
Its internal administrative problems are legend. It has dealt with me in an
unsatisfactory manner regarding its professional insurance. It no longer serves my
best professional interest to be associated with the NSCA or the NSCA
Certification Commission.
Therefore, I am formally relinquishing my CSCS credential, which I shall no
longer use in any subsequent professional reference or capacity. Furthermore, I
withdraw permission from The National Strength and Conditioning Association
and the NSCA Certification Commission to list me as a Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist in any publications or online materials that may be
published subsequent to the receipt of this letter.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Mark Rippetoe