Henriques to serve as baseball performance specialist

Mike Henriques is joining the Grand Canyon Athletics Sports Performance staff where he will specifically work with the GCU baseball program. Henriques spent the last seven years with the Oakland Athletics organization following stints with the San Diego Padres, the Portland Trail Blazers and Arizona State University.

"GCU Baseball is very excited to have Mike join us as our new performance specialist," head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. "His experience in baseball performance training is second to none. He has tremendous passion and expertise in this area. Mike's long history of training professional athletes will undoubtedly strengthen our program and help our players become the best they can be."

While with the A's, Henriques developed and implemented strength and conditioning programs for all players in the organization. He oversaw the club's minor league strength and conditioning department, employing all full-time staff. Henriques also reported monthly to the front office about player progress, while also designing new weight rooms in Oakland and at the team's spring training complex in Mesa.

"Grand Canyon athletics embodies a competitive spirit that is actively creating dominant programs and I'm lucky that I get to be a part of this environment that wants to win and will win," Henriques said. "An opportunity like this doesn't come every day, and I feel incredibly blessed to work with GCU Athletics and help these athletes and coaching staff to do something very special."

Prior to joining the Athletics, Henriques spent five years with fellow California MLB club, the San Diego Padres. With the San Diego organization, Henriques assisted with both the Major and Minor League sides of the operation, assisting in the development of the team's first postseason strength and conditioning camp.

Henriques also spent time in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2007-2010. He led the players' stretch, strength training and conditioning routines and aided in the rehabilitation of players. Previous college experience came with an Arizona State Sports Performance internship where he developed training and workout schedules for the football team while volunteering with the baseball team.

Henriques graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Physical Education.

Henriques will fill the void of Gabe Bourland, who was promoted to the Director of Sports Performance at Grand Canyon this summer.

With the beginning of the school year on the horizon, fall practices begin soon for the baseball program. Due to ongoing construction of the GCU Baseball facility, the team's fall practices will take place at nearby Maryvale Baseball Park, the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Related Videos