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 with a degree in Health and Fitness, Sport Management w/ a concentration in coaching. He is 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 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 Relays. 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 in the 55m and 100m and 6-time All New England in 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays. Other awards include 2006 Athlete of the Year (co-winner) at Eastern CT State University and 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 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 member of the football team and on the Student Athlete Advisory Council. Anthony earned Academic Honor Roll recognition during his final two years at SCSU. A 2019 graduate of Wolcott High School, Anthony captained both the football and baseball teams and received All-State honors in football.

He currently leads all group athletic performance classes 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 private and group coaching. Joe has been a member of the varsity football team at Western New England University since 2019; Has appeared in all 32 games of college career. His college football accolades include 2nd Team All-Conference DL in 2022, Academic All-Conference in 2021, voted captain twice by peers; voted defensive line captain in 2022 and solo team captain for the 2023 season. He graduated from Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls, CT and played varsity football at WRHS for 4 years and was voted team captain by peers senior year. Joe has an immense passion for all things health and fitness related and goes above and beyond daily 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 the training program for our Train for Life groups and also assists in coaching our high school athletes. 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.

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 captain by his peers. Josh also competed in track and field at WRHS and currently holds the school’s 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.