When Mr. Ken Croner ‘82 graduated from Munster High School, he never thought he would help train Brett Favre and other professional athletes, let alone own a business called Munster Sports Performance in his hometown working with high school athletes.
He attended Butler and played basketball as a guard while studying business and administration. After earning his degree, he wanted to coach college basketball.
“I thought I could coach college basketball,” Mr. Croner said. “I went for my Masters’ and stayed as a graduate assistant for the basketball team for one year.”
After his short stint as an assistant, Mr. Croner developed an interest in strength training. However, this was not the first time he thought about how athletes become the strong, versatile players he saw in college and in the pros.
“I grew up loving sports. I loved everything about them,” Mr. Croner said. “I always wondered what made athletes the way they are. I was always intrigued with how athletes develop.”
Mr. Croner worked toward his CSCS license from the National Strength and Conditioning Association in order to become a certified athletic trainer. He went on to be the assistant strength and conditioning coach for Notre Dame from 1999-2003. In the National Football League (NFL), he worked for the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. Before working with the Eagles, he received a job in Arizona where he worked one-on-one with players like Brett Favre.
“Brett decided to have a personal trainer, so the Packers contacted me,” Mr. Croner said. “I worked with him his last three years in Green Bay and even went down to Mississippi and lived with him for a few weeks.”
After 12 years of training college and pro athletes, Mr. Croner decided to come home and train young athletes.
“I was grateful to be around great coaches and players. I learned a lot,” Mr. Croner said. “I thought it would be fun to come back (home). I thought I would enjoy the opportunity to teach and educate.”
Despite having the chance to train athletes at the highest levels, Mr. Croner enjoys his current job and does not plan on going back to the collegiate or pro levels.
“(At) This point in my career, I am in a really good place,” Mr. Croner said. “I would not go back. I just wanted a small place here (in Munster) to make an impact.”
The fact that he gets to see athletes succeed everyday helps motivate Mr. Croner to continue his work with high school athletes.
“I get a ton of satisfaction,” Mr. Croner said. “At the end of the day, the athletes leave happy, and I am happy. They do not realize how much they give me in return.”
Almost five years ago, Mr. Croner opened up his personal training business named Munster Sports Performance. He looks to help local high school athletes succeed in three areas along with developing close relationships with them.
“The number one goal is to reduce injuries,” Mr. Croner said. “The second is to educate and teach. The third is to improve performance. Mr. Croner said.It is not even about sports; its about relationships. I’ll still be your friend no matter the level of skill you are at.”
Photos by Natalia Bilek