As the FIFA World Cup sprints toward a finish, a UT graduate is working in the background to make sure the players are in prime condition for the big game.
Shad Forsythe, who earned his master’s degree in sport management in 1998, has been the head fitness coach for Germany’s team since 2004.
Germany and Argentina play in the championship game at 3:00 p.m. Sunday (ET) on ABC.
In earning a berth in the finals, Germany eliminated the US team in a 1-0 heartbreaker and also defeated Algeria and France. On Tuesday, the team annihilated Brazil, 7-1, in the semi-finals.
Germany has won the World Cup three times, in 1954, 1974, and 1990. During Forsythe’s time working with the team, the German national team has claimed third place twice, in 2006 and 2010.
After the World Cup, Forsythe will be moving to the Arsenal Football Club, the soccer team based in Holloway, London, England.
Various sports news reports have chronicled how injuries have hampered the Arsenals and say the 40-year-old Forsythe—hailed by some as one of the best fitness coaches in soccer—was recruited to modernize their injury prevention methods.
Forsythe was born and raised in Washington state. He earned his bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies and athletic training at Washington State University.
He now lives in Munich, Germany, with his wife and children.
Another UT grad also has been working behind the scenes at the World Cup.
Jeremy Hassler, who received his master’s degree in sport management in 1999, is one of the lead trainers for the US Men’s National Team. Hassler, who is from Crossville, Tennessee, now lives in Arizona.
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C O N T A C T:
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)