Ben Fleming is in his second year as UNCW’s Director of Strength and Conditioning. Fleming returned to his home state to lead the strength and conditioning program in July of 2017.
The Seahawks put together a strong athletics season in Fleming’s first year of leadership. Fleming joined C.B. McGrath's program when McGrath was named the 11th men’s basketball history in UNCW history. His success with baseball programs continued to UNCW as the baseball team captured the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament championship to earn a trip to an NCAA Regional. Six Seahawks went on to hear their names called in the 2018 MLB Draft. The golf teams won conference crowns as well. The men’s golf team claimed the team title, while Lyberty Anderson earned medalist honors at the conference tournament in route to becoming the CAA Women’s Golfer-of-the-Year.
Fleming spent four years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Mississippi following two years in a similar position at Kansas State. He also spent four seasons on the staff at UCF, giving the veteran coach a wide range of experience at three different institutions.
Fleming, 34, worked primarily with baseball at Ole Miss, but has extensive experience with other teams at his stops in Manhattan and Orlando.
The Charlotte, N.C., native was a four-year letterman on the men’s soccer team at Wingate (N.C.) before embarking on his strength and conditioning career as a graduate assistant coach at UCF. He landed a full-time position with the Knights and supervised the strength programs for baseball, women's basketball and women's tennis. He also assisted with strength and conditioning for the football team.
In 2009, Fleming assisted the UCF men's golf team in winning the Conference USA and NCAA Regional Championships, while the Knights won the conference championship again in 2010. Fleming also contributed to the success of the UCF track and field team as it won the 2010 Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championship. In 2011, Fleming was part of the UCF women's basketball team that claimed the C-USA title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament and the UCF baseball team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
After four years at UCF, Fleming moved to the Midwest. In two seasons at Kansas State, Fleming aided in the development of six players who were drafted by Major League Baseball. He also trained the Wildcat team that claimed the 2013 Big 12 Championship and advanced to the program's first NCAA Super Regional.
Fleming accepted the position at Ole Miss in 2013 and helped the Rebels crank out Major League Baseball prospects. Over four years, Fleming worked with 22 baseball players who were chosen in the MLB Draft, including five in 2017. Fleming was responsible for coordinating the annual Omaha Challenge, a series of challenges designed to test agility, strength, conditioning and dexterity. In every workout or team activity, he stressed the importance of toughness and giving 100 percent effort in order for the team to achieve success.
Fleming's tenure in Oxford featured a third-place finish in the 2014 College World Series. During his time at Ole Miss, the Rebels went 153-92 with two regional host seasons, an SEC West title and three postseason berths.
Fleming is certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA). He holds a Level 1 coaching certification from USA Weightlifting as well as being Etcheberry Certified by Pat Etcheberry, one of the top tennis and golf strength and conditioning coaches in the world.
Fleming earned a Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Administration from Wingate University in 2006. In 2009, he earned a Master of Arts in Health/Wellness and Applied Exercise Physiology from UCF.
Fleming is married to the former Alexis Rodriguez.
