Steer for Student Athletes is proud to be affiliated with Dr. Hector Morales,Ph.D., Author of first book, Building Warriors

One of Steer for Student Athlete’s most valuable resources, Hector R. Morales, Ph.D., recently published his first book, Building Warriors: West Point Judo’s Road to the National Championship, where he details effective coaching strategies for developmental coaches in implementing a winning culture.

Dr. Morales has been pivotal in the growth of Steer for Student Athletes since its inception. His influence has been most prominently felt through his delivery of the Peak Mental Game Program “PMG,” where Dr. Morales has been a significant advisor and mentor. The program teaches mental strength in the big moment, whether on the field or in the classroom. Steer Student-Athletes have called PMG the backbone of the Steer program attributing a lot of their success to Dr. Morales.

Dr. Hector Morales, currently working for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a Mental Conditioning Coach, has brought valuable insight to Steer for Student Athletes and has been fundamental to the foundation since the inception of the organization. Dr. Morales, states: “From the moment we discussed the purpose of the program, I felt personally connected with the mission. I see myself in each of these young student-athletes, as I am also a product of the opportunities sport can provide for development and growth. I am extremely proud of the work we do to set these student-athletes for success.”

Morales started his military career as a non-English speaking Infantry private in the U.S. Army and retired as an Academy Professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Morales attended the University of Puerto Rico where he was a Judo and Wrestling athlete and received a commission as an officer in the U.S, Army in 1990. During his first tour at West Point, he instructed cadets in personal fitness, wellness, unit fitness program development, Judo and self-defense and was the head coach for the West Point Judo Team. In 2004, Dr. Morales was selected to become an Academy Professor of Physical Education at West Point and became the first Hispanic ever selected for this position. In 2005, he attended Florida State University to complete his doctorate in sport and exercise psychology. In 2010, Dr. Morales became a Certified Performance Enhancement Consultant through the Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP), and he has worked with athletes at the developmental, collegiate, and professional levels. He also led the West Judo Team to their first national title in 50 years, and in 2011 the team won all the team divisions of the NCJA National Championships, becoming the first and only team to complete that feat in the history of the National Collegiate Judo Association. Dr. Morales retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2014 and joined the Pittsburgh Pirates' Mental Conditioning Team.

His connection to Steer for Students came about after a conversation with Joe Durney, STEER Board Member, about developing the mental skills of travel baseball programs and developmental athletes. Joe introduced the concept and invited Dr Morales to the initial session for the development of the Steer program. Ever since, Dr Morales has worked with the program to provide athletes with peak mental performance skills to aid their journey for optimal performance in sport, school, and in life.

Dr. Morales will donate 10% of all book sales from now until July 1st to STEER for Student Athletes. You can find Building Warriors at www.peakmentalgame.org/books

For more information on Steer for Student Athletes, please visit, www.SteerforStudentAthletes.org.