Northwestern's student-athletes have the opportunity to train and improve their strength in one of the finest weight rooms in the nation. Renovated most recently in 1999, the 12,000 square foot, glass-encased Byron S. Coon Center houses a large array of free weights and state-of-the-art weight machines for the Wildcats to utilize.

Former Northwestern football star Larry Lilja is the long-time director of the Strength and Conditioning Center. Lilja, who played for the Wildcats from 1973-75, graduated from the Evanston campus in 1976. He played briefly with the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL).

Nick Zostautas, Jason Pullara and Katie Austin are the assistant directors of the Coon Center and help Lilja oversee the strength and conditioning for all of NU's 19 varsity sports.

The Coon Center is conveniently located in the Nicolet Football Center, adjacent to Ryan Field, Welsh-Ryan Arena/McGaw Hall, Rocky Miller Park (baseball) and Sharon J. Drysdale Field (softball). However, it is the strength and conditioning hub for all of Northwestern's varsity student-athletes -- step inside the glass walls during any afternoon and the center is a hive of activity.