Bob Otrando Experience: 3rd Season

Entering his 10th year with the University of Massachusetts, Bob Otrando has become one of the most valuable people in the UMass athletic department. Otrando supervises the strength and conditioning program for some 600 student-athletes who compete in UMass’ 22 varsity sports.

Virtually every coach who has worked with Otrando credits him with preparing their respective teams for a full season of all-out competition, both in practice and on game day. Otrando was named the 1994-1995 Atlantic 10 Conference Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Otrando came to UMass from the New England Patriots staff, where he served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach from 1992 to 1993 under Dick MacPherson. Prior to his stint with the Patriots, he was an assistant track & field coach at the University of Washington (1986-1992), Kent University (1985-1986) and Brown University (1984-1985). He also assisted with the UMass track & field program during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. During his collegiate coaching career, Otrando coached one NCAA champion, seven All-Americans and two Olympic trials qualifiers.

Otrando himself was a 1984 Olympic trials qualifier in the shot put, and holds the world indoor record (53’11”) in the masters 45-49 age group. He also holds the record for the longest shot put throw by a native New Englander at 65’4” and captured the national title at the 1998, 2000 and 2001 USA National Masters for the 40-45 age group.

Otrando served as the National Chairman for USA Track & Field men’s shot put from 1991-1995. During this time, U.S. athletes claimed the gold and silver medals in the shot put at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In addition, Otrando was a coach at the 1991 Olympic Festival and an assistant coach at the 1993 World University Games. He has had several articles pertaining to training and performance published in track & field magazines.

Otrando graduated from Northeastern University in 1979, and was inducted into the Northeastern University Hall of Fame in May of 1999. He is single and resides in Sunderland.