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A Kentucky State University alumnus has dedicated his career to helping student-athletes perform at optimal levels and accomplish their dreams.

Robert Harris, a 2009 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in physical education, completed his second season as the strength and conditioning coach for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team in 2017-18.

“My role is to break each player down mentally and physically and then build them back up,” Harris said. “I have to make sure our guys are ready come game day to perform at a high level and stay injury free.”

Harris served two seasons as the assistant strength coach prior to his current position, so he’s seen a number of student-athletes go on to play professional basketball.

“Two players that stick out are Karl-Anthony Towns and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander,” Harris said. “Both guys embraced every aspect of the grind and had what it took mentally to get to the next level.”

Towns has completed three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who drafted him as the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Towns has played and started in every game of his career. He was named rookie of the year after the 2015-16 season.

Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted 11^th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2018 NBA Draft. Gilgeous-Alexander showed much promise during NBA Summer League.

According to Harris’ biography on the University of Kentucky athletics website, Harris has a reputation among the student-athletes turn pro.

“A number of NBA players who have trained under Harris at Kentucky have commended him for changing their bodies and their work ethic,” the biography said. “With Harris’ help, UK players annually post some of the best numbers at the annual NBA Draft combine.”

Harris said a common part of his job is teaching student-athletes coming out of high school about the importance of nutrition and recovery. The most rewarding part of his job, he said, is seeing a student-athlete transform his body and reach his lifelong goals.

Harris travels with the team, so he finds himself away from his wife, Maria, and his daughters, Anaya and Alaya, a lot during the season.

“I just thank God for technology because I get to stay connected with them through FaceTime, texting, phone calls, etc.,” Harris said. “I make sure when I’m home I am home and they have my full attention.”

A typical day during the busiest part of his year sounds a lot like that of any parent: take the kids to school; train several groups of student-athletes from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.; prepare the student-athletes for practice; make sure the student-athletes get a post-practice form of nutrition; go home and eat dinner with his family; spend quality time and do it all again the next day.

Harris said Kentucky State prepared him for this role.

“Kentucky State taught me to go out and get what I need to survive,” Harris said. “I also learned the importance of great relationships with those that will help you elevate.”

Harris previously served as an assistant with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He also interned with the Ohio State University football team.

Harris is certified as a performance enhancement specialist by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, USA Weightlifting Club Coach, the National Association of Speed and Explosion and Functional Movement Screen. He is also strength and conditioning coach certified through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.

Harris earned his master’s degree in sports administration at Eastern Kentucky University.