Ringgold grad Marnich recognized for work with student-athletes

Ever since he was a kid, 27-year old Bill Marnich has been a hard worker.
A 2010 graduate of Ringgold and a 2014 graduate of Waynesburg University, where he earned his Bachelors degree in Exercise Science, Marnich completed his masters degree in Sports Performance and Injury Prevention in 2015 from California University.
It is as if Marnich has always known his calling would be with exercise.
“I have always wanted to have a career in something that I love and have a passion for,” said the 6-3, 280-pound Marnich. “I never wanted a 9-5 job that I hated.”
Marnich’s dedication to working out dates back to the Mon Valley YMCA during his teenage years, when he could be seen working hard, building a foundation for his future craft.
For one to realize Marnich’s work ethic and determination, look no further than the fact he played football in college despite having a prosthetic left leg.
“I have had it due to complications at birth,” he said. “I have had it my entire life and played sports my entire life, including at Waynesburg.”
Marnich has been the strength and conditioning coach for all athletic programs with the Canon-McMillan School District since 2015 and opened his own online training business, Training With a Why, in 2016.
“Seeing a student-athlete’s confidence grow by becoming strong is the best part of my job,” said Marnich. “As is seeing them become more confident in their abilities.”
In April, Marnich’s hard work was recognized as he was named the Pennsylvania High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by the National High School Strength and Conditioning Association (NHSSCA).
“It’s an honor because it was voted on by my peers,” he said. “Plus, because I am relatively young in this field.”
Canon-Mac football coach Mike Evans spoke about what the student-athletes have learned from Marnich as well as how he motivates them.
“I have always been impressed with Bill’s work ethic as it is contagious,” said Evans. “If you look at him, you can tell he practices what he preaches as he is a strong individual and the kids really believe in him because they know he cares. He informs them about how nutrition can help (them) reach their individual goals.
“Bill is no-nonsense and he rewards hard work. He has a teacher’s mentality, he isn’t a maniac and he is very patient with the kids and wants to teach them. He wants them to see that if they work hard like this and eat a certain way, great things can happen. He is motivational because he will never give up on a kid and just wants to see improvements.”
Evans said that Marnich puts time in with every student-athlete regardless of how long they have been working out.
“We have many kids starting out and the weight room can be an intimidating place for young kids,” he said. “But not with Bill in that room. He is extremely positive and makes every kid feel like they can achieve.”
While the hard work has paid off with recognition and the NHSSCA award, that success has not gone to Marnich’s head as he insists he will continue to give his students his all every day.
“My motivation now is to give the student-athletes at Canon-Mac the best program possible to help them grow,” he said, “not only as athletes but more importantly as young adults.”