Originally published on October 08, 2020.
Fitness, sports, and helping people be their best are the passions of Jordan Blanchard. These have been a big influence and drive in his life, leading him to his education at SUU and his career beyond.
Jordan grew up in the small town of Dayton, Oregon, which consisted of only 2,500 people and a Dayton High graduating class of only 82. Throughout his growing up years, he had a love for sports. “I was inspired by my high school football coach Dewey Sullivan, who was an amazing coach and helped us win a lot of games, but an even better person and member of our small community,” he recalls.
In his pursuit of a sports-centered education, Jordan attended Brigham Young University to study physical education teaching and coaching. Shortly afterwards, in order to complete his master’s degree, he headed down south. “The number one reason I chose SUU was I wanted to advance my knowledge of sports conditioning,” he says, “and SUU’s program is very well respected.”
Southern Utah University’s program allowed Jordan to be a full-time physical education teacher while also furthering his education, something for which he is grateful. He graduated with his master’s degree in Sports Conditioning and Performance in 2014.
“I am the first person in my family to attend SUU, but I have a strong feeling I won’t be the last,” Jordan says. “I loved my SUU experience and speak highly of it to anyone who will listen…my master’s degree in sports conditioning and performance has opened up so many doors for me.”
Since his graduation, Jordan has become a full-time coach and athletic director at Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah, where he has had many wonderful experiences, most notably helping compose the Utah State Core Standards for strength and conditioning this last year. He was also named 2020’s Utah High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by the National High School Strength and Conditioning Association.
Jordan has committed himself to the good of his community in other ways as well, working as a local church leader, a member of Shape Utah, and the National High School Strength Coaches Association.
He has also found a surprising new interest and side career.
“My wife Mary and I also enjoy watching more than our fair share of television shows,” Jordan admits. “That’s why we created and launched our app Bingeworthy. Launching an app is not something most people would associate with a strength coach and athletic director. I like seeing people’s surprise when I tell them about the app.”
Looking back on his life, Jordan says SUU not only prepared him to be a provider for his family and an influence in his community, but also helped him discover “that learning is a life-long endeavor and something that I can find fulfillment in. That attitude helps me be informed and successful in my current job responsibilities.”
