More about me!

Hi there! My name is Jenna Hoops. I am a certified strength and conditioning specialist. I would love to tell you a bit more about myself and how I got to where I am today!

I grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota where I spent much of my youth being active and playing various sports. Starting in 7th grade, my family and I made the decision to send me to Visitation School, a private college preparatory school located in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Not only did I receive a tremendous education here, but I also took in unforgettable memories and experiences athletically over the course of 6 years. Some of my favorites include: playing in my first varsity hockey game as a 7th grader on hockey day Minnesota, going to the state tournament in both hockey and softball multiple years, and getting the honor and chance to wear the “C” on my chest in both hockey and softball as well. Here is a list of some of the things I accomplished as a student-athlete at the high school level:

Visitation High School (2016-2020)

• Cumulative GPA: 3.57

• Varsity Girls Hockey, Varsity Softball, Varsity Girls Soccer

  o Athletic Achievements:

  • Hockey - St. Paul United

    • 6x Letterwinner, 1x Team Captain, 1x Team Most Valuable, 1x All Conference, 3x All Conference Honorable Mention, 4x State Participant

  • Softball - Visitation Blazers

    • 5x Letterwinner, 2x Team Captain, 1x Team Most Valuable, 2x All Conference, 2x State Participant, 1x All State

  • Soccer - Visitation Blazers

    • 1x Letterwinner

Being a student-athlete was one of my greatest blessings in life. I am fortunate to have been able to experience it at the college level as well. Growing up, it had always been my dream to play division 1 college hockey. This dream became closer to reality when I verbally committed to Saint Michael’s College located in Colchester, Vermont during my junior year of high school. At the time, I only intended to play hockey in college. However, the thought of playing softball as well constantly went back and forth in my mind. I loved both sports; I was gifted in both sports. I would talk to a lot of people about the idea, and more times than not, I would hear about how difficult it would be to be a dual-sport athlete at the college level. During my college visit, I made sure to talk with the softball coach when I was on campus. When it came time to make a decision, I made plans to continue my hockey career while looking forward to having my final season of softball my senior year of high school. Little would I know that final season would be cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I was absolutely devastated. If anything, it taught me to never take anything for granted and to be thankful for the opportunity and time I had in the sport all those years growing up. Nevertheless, I kept pushing forward and was beyond excited to begin my college career as a hockey player.

When I arrived in Vermont for my freshman year, things were crazy. The pandemic was still in effect. Not only was I learning how to manage living on my own away from home for the first time, but I was also learning how to experience college during a time of so much uncertainty. Classes moved between in-person and online depending on the number of positive cases on campus, students got tested for the virus weekly, students (including me) got quarantined for multiple days, various rules were set in place for who you could and couldn’t spend time with, and athletes were left wondering whether their sports seasons were still on. After spending the first few months practicing while wearing masks, we were told our entire season was canceled. My first thought was, “not again!” Amidst it all, however, I had a blessing in disguise waiting for me and I did not see it coming. I got to go back home to Minnesota for winter break. During this time, my hockey coach asked me if I was interested in playing softball for the school that spring. He had talked with the softball coach who had a catcher on the team that did not meet grade requirements to be eligible to play that season. He remembered me visiting with him during my campus tour a while back and reached out. Lucky for him, I was a catcher in high school who wasn’t having a hockey season any time soon. On my way back to campus after the break, I brought my softball equipment with me and decided to play. Thankfully, our season was not canceled. After that first year, the coach and the team asked if I would come back for my sophomore season. How could I say no!

I went back to Saint Mike’s for my sophomore year. I loved my time there, but for multiple reasons decided to transfer schools for the second half of my undergraduate years. I ended up coming much closer to home, attending the University of Wisconsin - Superior. I continued playing both hockey and softball here, and had another great experience academically and athletically. The NCAA granted all athletes who were affected by the pandemic with an extra year of eligibility to be able to participate and compete in their 4 years of sport. Due to my freshman hockey season being canceled, I was granted that extra year of eligibility. I went back to Superior for my 5th year of undergraduate school and played my last year of hockey. It was during this year where I had a lot of extra time on my hands. I was able to be a part-time student to finish up any remaining credits I had. I was also able to use this time to study for the exam I needed to take to become a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Finally, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in May of 2025 where I obtained a major in exercise science, as well as minors in psychology and coaching. Some of my favorite memories from college athletics include: being the team’s leading goal scorer all 4 hockey seasons, reaching my goal of setting a career high in goals and points in a single season during my last year of hockey, getting a walk in the softball Conference Championship game that ended up being the game-winning run, and winning our softball UMAC Conference Championship game my junior and senior seasons. Here is a list of some of the things I accomplished as a student-athlete at the college level:

Saint Michael’s College (2020-2022)

• NCAA D1 Women’s Hockey, NCAA D2 Softball

• Academic Achievements:

o Conference Honors: NE10 Academic Honor Roll - Spring 2022, NEWHA Weekly Honor Roll - Fall 2021

o University Honors: Dean’s List - Fall 2021, Fall 2020

• Athletic Achievements (Hockey):

o Conference Honors: NEWHA Rookie of the Week - Fall 2021

University of Wisconsin-Superior (2022-2025)

• Graduated in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Magna Cum Laude)

• Undergraduate Cumulative GPA: 3.913

• NCAA D3 Women’s Hockey, NCAA D3 Softball

• Academic Achievements:

  o National Honors: AHCA All-American Scholar - 2023-24, 2022-23
  o Conference Honors: WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll - 2023-24, 2022-23
  o University Honors: Dean’s List - Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022

• Athletic Achievements (Hockey):
  o Conference Honors: WIAC Kwik Trip Athlete of the Week - January 2025, All-WIAC First Team - 2023-24, 2022-23
  o University Honors: Wisconsin National Guard Yellowjacket Athlete of the Week - January 2025, November 2024, November 2023, November 2022

• Statistics (Hockey):

  o Junior Year - 26 games played, 10 goals, 10 assists

  o Senior Year - 27 games played, 8 goals, 3 assists

  o 5th Year - 27 games played, 12 goals, 12 assists

  o Overall - Team leading goal-scorer all 3 years

• Statistics (Softball):

  o Junior Year - Led the UMAC Conference in walks with 29

  o Team Accomplishments - UMAC Conference Champions - 2024, 2023

As I got older, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career that involved working with athletes. However, it took me a while to figure out exactly what that would look like. I had thoughts of going into physical therapy, physical education, nutrition, and even sports psychology. It wasn’t until my junior year of college when I locked in on strength and conditioning. I have always loved training and spending time in the weight room. It helped me a lot in my athletic career and I truly believe it is one of the things that separated me from a lot of other female athletes my age. Training for my sports and being around some amazing strength and conditioning coaches over the years ultimately made me fall in love with it. It finally dawned on me that I could see myself doing this as a career. Fortunately, it’s a career that is on the rise. After a lot of studying, I sat down to take the certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) exam in the summer of 2025. After 4 hours of answering questions to the best of my ability, I passed! This credential is considered the “gold standard” within the field of strength and conditioning, and it is truly an honor to be able to use the knowledge I have gained to help athletes become better versions of themselves.

I am currently working on a master’s degree in strength and conditioning through Concordia University - St. Paul. I am expected to graduate in the summer of 2027. I have always loved learning and I continue to do so each and every day. I am also currently working part-time as a sports performance and hockey sports skills coach at Training HAUS-Shakopee, as well as take on the role as assistant coach for the JV girl’s hockey team at Park of Cottage Grove High School. In my spare time, which is limited these days, I love to work out, spend time with friends and family (including my dog, Rookie), and listen to music.

If I have any advice for young athletes, it would be to fall in love with training! I might be biased, but it can be extremely beneficial for your performance in sport (like it was for me). It took my game to the next level; everything you do in your training translates to your on-ice, on-court, on-field performance. If anything, training is good for your overall health and well-being. This only gets more important as you get older. Trust me, your body will thank you! I would also advise young athletes to never take anything for granted; never give up; never stop working hard! These things go for not just in training or sports, but for life! Learn how to set goals for yourself, work toward them, and achieve them.

I’m so blessed and grateful for what God has in store for me in the near future! Even though every single day I miss competing as an athlete, I am passionate and look forward to helping the next generation of athletes become the best version of themselves!