Caden Ritter, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, has worked for UofL Health for the last year as a strength and conditioning coach for community high schools and the UofL Health – Sports Medicine Institute. Caden is responsible for providing high-quality strength and conditioning to community high school athletes.
A crucial part of his role is educating athletes, coaches, school administrators and parents on student-athletes’ holistic well-being. This encompasses strength and conditioning, as well as nutrition, sleep, mental health and mental performance. Caden’s goal is to be a resource for student-athletes and those involved in their lives.
Caden’s favorite thing about UofL Health is the team and family atmosphere within the Sports Medicine Institute.
“We work as one unit to help our collegiate athletes, high school athletes and community members achieve their health goals so they can get back to life or sports as quickly as possible,” Caden explained.
Caden’s role adds another UofL Health touchpoint for student-athletes and their supporters. He works with community athletic trainers to develop the best possible return-to-play strategy for student-athletes and to maintain strength and fitness when recovering from an injury.
When asked what his goal for UofL Health is, Caden said he hopes UofL Health continues to be a trusted resource for health care services.
Caden lives out UofL Health’s mission by serving the health of the community through compassionate and patient-centered care.
“I am readily available to athletes and their families, coaches and athletic trainers to fill the gap where needed,” Caden explained. “I spend as much time as possible getting to know the coaches and athletes in the community.”
One thing you may not know about Caden is that he grew up in Kearney, Mo., and attended college in Iowa at Simpson College and Avila University. While at Simpson College, Caden was a member of the school’s basketball team and played as a forward.
Caden’s all-time favorite book is “Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering” by Cameron Hanes. You may find him thumbing through the chapters while enjoying one of his favorite meals: a cheeseburger with fries.
When he’s not taking care of community athletes, you can catch Caden streaming “Shameless” on TV or listening to hunting podcasts like “Elk Talk” and “ElkShape.”
Do you like the outdoors? You’ll fit right in with Caden. Some of his favorite hobbies include hunting, archery, hiking, camping or hanging out with friends and family.
If Caden could instantly learn any skill, he would choose to be able to speak different languages fluently.
If you see Caden out and about, be sure to say “hello” and ask him about his favorite places to hunt, or what restaurant has the best cheeseburger. He would love to get to know you!
