Hometown: Washington, Illinois
College: Eureka College
Graduate Degree: THE Ohio State University
Team Responsibilities: Men’s & Women’s Ice Hockey
Chris Friend joined the Buckeye Sports Performance Staff in January of 2018 as a Football Strength and Conditioning Intern. Since, Friend has been elevated to his current title of Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach where he oversees all aspects of Strength and Conditioning and Performance for both the Men’s & 2022 NCAA National Champion Women’s Ice Hockey Programs.
In his three seasons with the Women’s Hockey program, Friend has played an instrumental role in two WCHA Final Face-off Championships, two Frozen Four appearances, and the teams first ever NCAA National Championship in 2022. Also on the Women’s side, Friend has been an instrumental role in developing several Olympians including most recently in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, gold medalist Emma Maltais (Team Canada), silver medalist Jincy Dunne (Team USA) and Andrea Braendli (Team Switzerland).
On the Men’s Side, Friend has helped in the performance and development of several Buckeyes who have gone to play professionally. In the off-season, Friend still continues to train several Buckeye Pro Alum.
This upcoming season will be Friend’s fourth season with the Women’s Ice Hockey Program and his third overseeing both the Men’s and Women’s team simultaneously.
Friend also serves as the intern site supervisor, for the Schottenstein Center weight room and hold certifications through both the CSCCa (SCCC) & NSCA (CSCS).
Friend graduated from Eureka College where he majored in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and was a three-time all-conference linebacker. He then went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Sport Coaching from the Ohio State University. Previously, Friend worked at Mississippi State University as a football strength and conditioning intern, working under former Buckeye strength intern and current Ole Miss head football strength coach, Nick Savage.
Friend is from Washington, Ill., where he attended Washington Community High School. Chris’ brother, Matt serves as the associate director of strength and conditioning at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.