Cumberland University

Gunnar Helland enters his third year as the Director of Sports Performance at Cumberland University in 2025-26. 

Helland is responsible for overseeing the strength and conditioning programs for all Cumberland sports. He designs, creates, and implements customized strength programs for each of the Cumberland University student-athletes. He also oversaw a overhaul of the weightroom getting new racks, bars, and weights to help promote getting our student-athletes bigger, faster, and stronger. 

Helland was most recently Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Oconomowoc High School in Wisconsin, but brings with him a wealth of experience at a young age. Helland graduated with his Bachelors of Science in Physical Education Teaching from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 2020.

The Wisconsin native worked as both an intern and volunteer over his four years in college. He spent two years volunteering at his alma mater and impressed at University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he interned for three years.

Soon after receiving his degree he served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach Intern at the University of South Dakota. It was there that he took on his largest role to date, assisting with workouts for football, men's basketball, women's soccer, and track and field.

Since graduating in 2020, Helland has continued to work at his craft as well. In 2021 he received his certification from the National Strength & Conditioning Association as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist, adding onto his USA Weightlifting Level One Sports Performance Coach status.