Former Greeley Star Makes His Mark at Jets' Camp

It's every high school football star's dream. To one day find yourself on the same field as established and respected NFL stars.

That is the scenario former Horace Greeley all-state football star Mike Aidala finds himself in once again this month.

For the second straight summer, as a strength and conditioning intern with the Jets during preseason training camp at Cortland State, Aidala, now a senior at Cortland, has been surrounded by some of the biggest names in pro football each day.

"What was particularly exciting about my internship was the opportunity to work with the Jets players in the weight room," said Aidala. "I was responsible for working with players such as Jason Taylor, Santonio Holmes and Jerricho Cotchery."

Aidala not only works with them, he has taught them a few things, too.

"For one lift I was able to teach those three players correct technique for a kettlebell swing," he said, referring  to the two-arm technique designed to improve strength in the back and legs. "They were all very responsive and it was great to be respected by such high-class athletes."

When the Jets decided to use Cortland State as their preseason training camp facility after the arrival of new head coach Rex Ryan last year, Aidala was able to land his coveted opportunity from one of his football coaches at Cortland State after hearing about it from the school's strength and conditioning coach.

"I started working a week before the team and players came to campus," Aidala said. "I had to help set up the weight room in Cortland's ice arena. Then, I came back to work with the players."

Aidala splits his time between the weight room and the practice fields.

"My daily responsibilities are to help assist the players in the weight room and on the field," he said. "I also have to prep nutrition shakes and clean the equipment daily."

It all adds up to long days – but fulfilling ones.

A typical day starts at 5:30 a.m. with the team breakfast. Then, it's time to prepare for practice.

"I have to be at practice to help positional coaches if they need assistance," he said. "I also distribute nutrition shakes to players after practice.

"If the team has a lift that day, I will be in the weight room with them. During a lift, I help spot and rack weights with the players. Then, I eat lunch with the team and then do the same pre-practice prep for the second practice or lift of the day."

Aidala is no stranger to the weight room. In the summer of 2007, when Westchester hosted the Empire State Games for the first time in history, he won a silver medal in open men's weightlifting.

The internship has also provided him with valuable experience. Aidala, who is majoring in Kinesiology/Fitness Development, is on course to graduate in December.

"I'm interested in a job dealing with fitness and athletes," he said. "I would like to pursue my education after I graduate on a master's level, but I enjoy working with athletes who are passionate about improving their body and increasing their performance."

Aidala may also wind up being a contributing factor if the Jets are to have another successful season following last year's surprising run to the AFC title game.

"It's been great to work with such incredible athletes," he said. "And it's great to see the team buy into the strength coaches' philosophy because it will help them succeed this season."