COACH DAVE PAVIA

Owner and Head Performance Specialist

With 17 years of experience in Strength and Conditioning and Speed Training, Owner and Coach Dave Pavia has worked with hundreds of athletes at every level of Sport. 

A graduate of Eastern CT State University in 2006 where he earned a degree in Health and Fitness and Sport Management with a concentration in Coaching. He is now a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Other certifications include USA Track and Field Level 1 and USA Weightlifting Level 1. Dave has presented on the topic of Linear Acceleration Training and its application to Multi-Directional Movement for the NSCA. Previous Employment before his founding of The Speed Center includes Velocity Sports Performance (Assistant Director of Performance) and Integrated Athletic Performance (Director of Performance).

While at Eastern CT, Dave was a 4 year Member and Captain of the Track and Field Team. He competed in both Sprints, Jumps, and Relay Events. At the Conference Level, he was a 6-Time Individual Conference Champion (55m, 100m, 200m and Long Jump) and 6-Time Relay Champion (4x100m and 4x400m). At the New England Level, he was 3-Time Division 3 All New-England Athlete in the 55m and 100m and a 6-Time All New England Athlete in the 4x100 and 4x400m Relays. Other Awards include The 2006 Athlete of the Year (co-winner) at Eastern CT State University and The Shining Star Award for Academic Achievement as a Student Athlete. David is also an Eagle Scout and in High School he was a member of the Soccer, Indoor Track, and Lacrosse Teams and was a recipient of the Coaches Award his Senior Year for Lacrosse.

COACH ANTHONY LIGI

Athletic Performance Coach / Director of Group Athletic Performance

Coach Anthony Ligi joined The Speed Center Staff in December 2022 as a Winter Intern, completing a Five Month Internship where he learned all facets of The Speed Center Methodology. As part of his Internship, he completed and submitted his College Senior Project, “Ankle Mobility and Its Impact on Athletic Performance.”

Anthony graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Exercise Science, with a concentration in Human Performance. He is also a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. During his time at SCSU, he was a Four Year Player of the Football Team and on the Student Athlete Advisory Council. Anthony earned Academic Honor Roll recognition during his final two years at SCSU. Prior to College, he was a 2019 Graduate of Wolcott High School where Anthony captained both the Varsity Football and Baseball Teams, earning All-State Honors in Football.

He currently leads all Group Athletic Performance Classes here at The Speed Center and is passionate about helping athletes improve performance, build confidence, and reach their full potential!

COACH JOE SHEA

Athletic Performance Coach

Coach Joe Shea completed his Internship at The Speed Center in the Summer of 2022. He is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and an integral part of the Staff. He fulfills many roles, from Remote Programming and updating of our Athletic Performance Curriculum to both In-Person Private and Group Coaching.

Joe was a member of the Football Team at Western New England University every year of his attendance (2019-2023); having appeared in all 32 games of his College Career. His College Football accolades include 2nd Team All-Conference DL in 2022, Academic All-Conference in 2021, voted Team Captain twice by peers; voted Defensive Line Captain in 2022 and being voted Solo Team Captain for the 2023 Season. Prior to College, he graduated from Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls, CT and played Varsity Football at WRHS for 4 years where he was voted Varsity Team Captain by his peers ahead of his Senior Year. Joe has an immense passion for all things health and fitness related and goes above and beyond on a daily basis for our clients.

COACH JOSH WOODIN

Athletic Performance Coach

Coach Josh Woodin is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and joined the staff in January 2024. He is responsible for coaching and writing of The Speed Center's Training Program for our Train for Life Adult Groups and also assists in coaching our High School Athletes. In his Academic Career, Josh graduated from The University of New Haven in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. While at UNH, he was a Thrower on the Track and Field Team, competing in the Hammer, Shot Put, Discus, and Weight Throw events.

A graduate of Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls, CT, Josh was a three-year starter on the Varsity Football Team and a member of the 2005 Class SS State Championship Team. He earned All-State and All-League Honors as a Left Tackle and was voted Team Captain by his peers. Josh also competed in Track and Field at WRHS and currently holds the school’s Track and Field Discus Record. He brings years of strength and performance training experience to every session and is committed to helping athletes build confidence both on and off the field.

COACH CJ REDD

Athletic Performance Coach

Coach CJ Redd is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and is currently pursuing additional performance and sports nutrition certifications to further expand his expertise in athletic development.

CJ joined The Speed Center coaching staff in 2025 after previously training as an athlete at the facility from 2020–2023, giving him a unique perspective on the organization’s training philosophy and athlete development model. He now serves as an Athletic Performance Coach, leading speed, strength, and performance training sessions for athletes of all ages. Most recently, CJ has been leading coaching and training sessions at The Speed Center’s auxiliary location inside The Connecticut Children’s Day Hill Dome.

A former collegiate basketball player at Trinity College, CJ competed for the Bantams from 2019–2023 after a successful high school career that included varsity basketball at Tabor Academy (MA) and Peekskill High School (NY), where he earned multiple All-League and All-State honors.

In addition to his role at The Speed Center, CJ serves as a Varsity Basketball and Football Coach at Loomis Chaffee School (CT) and is the Founder of Believe360, a basketball training and wellness mentorship program serving athletes throughout Hartford County, Connecticut. Through his coaching, CJ is committed to helping athletes maximize their performance, build confidence, and develop the discipline necessary to succeed both in competition and in life.