The Waterloo Black Hawks announced two staff additions Monday, welcoming Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Bellamy and Equipment Manager Jackson Faust to their new roles with the team.

Bellamy is already familiar to many Cedar Valley athletes through his strength and conditioning work at Columbus Catholic High School. Meanwhile, Faust is just arriving in the community from Minnesota State University, where he graduated this spring.
 
"Nick and Jackson are taking on two critical – yet unsung – roles within our organization," said Black Hawks Head Coach Brett Olson.  "I want to thank them both in advance for the countless hours they will be putting in behind the scenes, which will have an outsized impact on our players' preparation."

Returning Black Hawks already know Bellamy through the team's strength and conditioning partnership with Waterloo Columbus.  Working in coordination with Director of Sports Performance Spenser Popinga, Bellamy has shared insights with Hawks players in recent seasons while overseeing the Sailors' weight room.  

Bellamy has nine years of full-time strength and conditioning experience.  In addition to his efforts with Columbus, Bellamy has also devoted considerable time in the gym leading private sessions with professional and NCAA Division I athletes.  Since 2024, he has also helped Waterloo Woo football players reach their conditioning goals.  Before coming to Waterloo, Bellamy was a strength intern for the Illinois State football team.  The St. Ambrose alum earned bachelor's (Human Performance and Fitness) and master's (Exercise Physiology) degrees from the university in Davenport.

Faust spent four years in Mankato serving the Mavericks men's and women's hockey teams.  He was the primary equipment contact for the women's program during his final two seasons on campus.  Familiarity with skate sharpening, inventory management, and hockey logistics all position Faust for success in Waterloo.  He has additional complementary experience as an equipment intern during Minnesota Vikings training camp and as a groundskeeper at the Mankato Golf Club.

Academically, Faust majored in Sports Management with a minor in Marketing.

Former Black Hawks Equipment Manager Chris Kiefer has departed to pursue a new opportunity outside hockey.

The Black Hawks open a new United States Hockey League season on September 17th against the Muskegon Lumberjacks during the USHL Fall Classic.  This fall's first regular season game at Young Arena will be October 2nd versus the Dubuque Fighting Saints.  Black Hawks season tickets are currently available by calling (319) 232-3444 or online from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.