NORTHAMPTON, MA - This past summer, Taylor Volmrich took a major step forward in their coaching journey, completing a strength and conditioning internship at the University of Texas at Austin.

Working directly with the Longhorns' football program, they spent two months in the weight room and on the field, helping develop elite-level athletes while also advancing their own education through the program's intern curriculum. "I was able to aid in the development of athletes at the highest level and expand both my knowledge and experience," Volmrich said. "It was an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of such a high-performance environment."

The opportunity came through persistence and networking. Volmrich applied to the Texas internship via the Strength Coach Job Network and was fortunate to stay with a friend of Smith College volleyball head coach Greg Walker. "That experience really showed me the importance of expanding my network and community," they explained.

Coaching has long been a natural fit for Volmrich. A lifelong competitor, they credit their parents—especially their father, a former U.S. Ski Team jumper—for sparking their love of sport and coaching. Their athletic journey included 16 years of competitive dance, high school cheerleading, a year of softball, and eventually rowing. They were recruited to row at Ithaca College, where they competed for Becky Robinson and trained under some of the most influential coaches in the sport.

"Becky Robinson, Holly Austin of Ready Set Row, and Eric Catalano of ARION were especially impactful mentors for me," they said. "They taught me what it means to be an influential leader. Becky and Holly, in particular, helped me build confidence that carried me not just as an athlete, but also into my beginnings as a young coach." At Ithaca, Volmrich also discovered their professional path. Through the exercise science program's concentration in strength and conditioning, they realized they could turn their passion for training into a career dedicated to helping athletes reach their potential. "At the end of the day, we're not just coaching athletes—we're developing people," they said.

Some of their favorite moments so far as a coach come from those small but powerful breakthroughs in the weight room. "Success is contagious," they shared. "It never matters what weight is on the bar as long as there's forward progress. Watching an athlete light up after achieving something new is the best reminder of why I do this." Outside of coaching, Volmrich keeps their own competitive spirit alive. They enjoy reading, baking, and training, often signing up for half marathons or other competitive athletic events to stay motivated. Dance remains close to their heart, and recently they've added a new challenge: learning the electric guitar.

And while many know them as a coach, athlete, and mentor, there's another side of their story that might surprise people—their experience in pageantry. Since the age of 14, they have competed in beauty pageants, most recently earning the Best in Interview Award at Miss New York USA.

For Volmrich, whether it's in the weight room, on stage, or in the classroom, it all comes back to building confidence and growth—both in themself and in others. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.