BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock announced Monday the hiring of Seth Diters as director of strength and conditioning for Olympic sports. Additionally, Ron Dickson has been promoted to senior director of strength and conditioning for Olympic sports.
Diters, who will oversee all strength and conditioning needs for Tech's baseball and wrestling programs, joins the Hokies after helping the Mississippi State baseball program win a national championship in 2021.
A veteran around the ballpark, Diters has worked with baseball programs for the last 13 years, including four with the Mississippi State Bulldogs where he was responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive strength and conditioning programs.
He has helped his programs to 10 postseason appearances, one NCAA Division II National Runner-Up finish and a pair of trips to the NCAA College World Series. Diters has tutored 15 All-Americans, 11 Freshman All-Americans and 48 Major League Baseball draft picks, including three that have reached the big leagues.
In his first season in Starkville, Diters helped Mississippi State reach the College World Series, working with a quartet of All-Americans – including National Pitcher of the Year Ethan Small – along with tutoring the National Freshman of the Year in JT Ginn. At season's end, the Diamond Dawgs had a school-record-tying 11 student-athletes drafted in the MLB First Year Player Draft.
While the 2020 season was cut short, Diters saw three of his pupils selected in the abbreviated MLB Draft. Justin Foscue was taken with the 14th overall pick by the Texas Rangers in the first round, while Jordan Westburg was the 30th overall pick in the Competitive Balance A round.
Prior to joining MSU, Diters spent three seasons at Florida State working directly with the baseball program, while also overseeing the graduate practicum students. The Seminoles advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons on the Tallahassee campus, including a trip to the 2017 College World Series. FSU piled up 40 wins and finished among the top 25 at season's end all three years, including a No. 6 showing in 2017.
Before arriving at Florida State, Diters served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Maryland for three years where he worked directly with baseball, wrestling, women's soccer, as well as the men's and women's golf programs. Along with his team responsibilities, Diters served as the point of contact for the Terrapins' strength and conditioning internship program.
Diters received his Master of Science in educational leadership and sports management at Winona State University while serving as the graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Warriors' baseball, men's basketball, softball and gymnastics programs. Additionally, he assisted with the Winona State football program during his time in southeast Minnesota.
Certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), Diters also holds certifications from the United States of America Weightlifting Sports Performance Coaches and the American Red Cross in first aid, CPR and AED. Diters is married to the former Christy Pollner, they have one daughter, Erin. The Gilbertsville, New York, native earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Springfield (Mass.) College in 2008.
Dickson, now in his third year in Blacksburg, trains the Hokies' men's soccer, lacrosse, men's golf and women's tennis programs. With the Hokies, he has worked with the 2021 number one pick in the MLS Draft, Daniel Periera, as well as Paige Petty, a three-time First Team All-ACC honoree and a lacrosse All-America selection. Two of his pupils, Mary Claire Byrne and Angie Benson are competing with Athletes Unlimited's pro lacrosse setup this summer. Natalie Novotna of the women's tennis program earned All-Conference honors under his tutelage.
"I am grateful that we had the opportunity to bring Seth to Blacksburg as a part of our staff in the Olympic Weight Room, Dickson expressed. "He brings national championship pedigree from his time at Mississippi State and we welcome his knowledge and expertise to the Virginia Tech family. The entire staff is excited about the upcoming 2021-22 academic year and are committed to helping our student-athletes reach their potential."
He joined the Hokies in May of 2018 as a director of strength and conditioning for Olympic sports after spending five years at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
While at UTC, Dickson oversaw all aspects of men's golf, wrestling, soccer, cross country, and track and field training, as well as assisting with the football program. Dickson was also the director of the nutrition and sleep student-athlete education program and directed the athletic performance internship program for the Mocs.
Prior to his time at UTC, Dickson was the interim director of strength and conditioning at Wofford College where he designed and implemented programs for nearly every sport on campus.
A graduate of West Georgia in 2009, Dickson earned his bachelor's in physical education and health. Dickson then received his master's of kinesiology and health from Georgia State in 2011.
A native of Hiram, Georgia, Dickson began his career as a graduate assistant in Atlanta with Emory University. He also spent one year at Merrimack College in Boston.
Dickson owns certifications in CSCCA, NSCA, RPR Level 1, CPR/AED and USA Weightlifting Sports Performance.
Dickson and Diters are part of a six-member staff in the Olympic sports weight room, joining Brandon Dillard, Kelly Murphy, Brent Jones and Courtney Adams. Dillard oversees strength and conditioning for women's soccer, women's golf, men's tennis, and track and field, while Murphy is responsible for volleyball, softball, and swimming and diving. Jones (men's) and Adams (women's) will direct spirit's strength and conditioning program, while assisting with other Olympic sports.
