Joined Naval Academy Athletic Association: June 2021 (previously 2010-2017)
Joe Fondale serves as the head strength & conditioning coach for gymnastics, men's tennis and the intercollegiate and offshore sailing programs. He is also a Professor in the Physical Education Department.
Coach Fondale returned to the Naval Academy in the summer of 2021 after an assignment with the United States Navy Recruiting Command. LCDR Fondale excelled as a recruiter earning Regional Reserve Officer Recruiter of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
Coach Fondale served with Navy's strength and conditioning staff from 2010-2017 where he was responsible for program design for men's basketball, men's track and field, women's soccer and the men's and women's golf teams.
Fondale came to the United States Naval Academy from Ohio University where he served as the Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning from 2005-09.
Prior to his appointment at Ohio, Fondale held assistant strength and conditioning positions at the University of North Dakota, the University of Texas-El Paso and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science, Fondale won four varsity letters as a fullback on the football team at Ohio University. He served as a graduate assistant coach in 2002 and earned a Master's Degree in Sports Sciences.
His certifications include the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, USA Track and Field Level I Coach, and USA Weightlifting Senior Coach.
As a competitive weightlifter, Fondale has qualified for and competed in the USA Weightlifting Senior National Championships 10 times. In 2012 Fondale won USA Weightlifting's National Masters Championship at 94 kilograms and the meet's best lifter award, 35-39 years old.
Fondale repeated as national master's champion in 2013 and 2015 and won the gold medal at the Pan American Masters Weightlifting Championships in 2013 and 2015.
A native of Junction City, Ohio, Fondale resides in Annapolis with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Elaine and Claire.
