Our CoachesS
Blair Tugman, Head Coach
- Over 30 years of wrestling experience
- Head Coach Hamden Hall Country Day School 2017-2019
- Assistant Coach Wesleyan University 2012-2016
- Head Coach Daniel Hand High School 2010-2011(25-1, SCC Group A Champions,
SCC Tournament 2nd, Class L State 2nd, State Open 2nd, New England Championship 3rd) - Wrestled DI at Lock Haven University
- AAU Freestyle Grand National Champion(2001)
- 4X NJ Freestyle High School State Champion
- 3X NJ Scholastic High School State Place Finisher
- 4X NJ Scholastic High School Region Place Finisher
- 1X NJ Scholastic High School Region Champion
- 4X NJ Scholastic High School District Champion
Mixed Martial Arts Experience
- Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt under (Marcelo Garcia Affliliate)
- Represented USA in the 2007 Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championships
- 10 year Professional MMA Fighter
- 18 Professional MMA Fights
- 8X Bellator MMA Fighting Championships Veteran
- 2X Nationally Televised Professional MMA fights (Bellator Fighting Championships
and BODOG Fighting Championships) - Professional MMA Organizations Fought for include Bellator Fighting Championships,
BODOG Fighting Championships, CES MMA, Extreme Challenge MMA, Cage Fury Fighting Championships - AMMO Grappling Championships 1st Ever Absolute Division Champion
- Multiple Time NAGA Grappling Championships Place Finisher
Combat Sports Coaching/Training
- Trained multiple times with Team Alpha Male (California)
- Trained with multiple UFC Champions and contenders (TJ Dillashaw, Cody Garbrant,
Uriah Faber, Gregor Gillispie, Chad Mendes, Anthony Benavides, Duane Ludwig, Martin Kampmann. - Trained multiple times with IBJJF World Grappling Champions at Marcelo Garcia Academy, NYC
- Trained with Marcelo Garcia, John Danaher, Gianni Grippo, Mansher Khera, Vitor Shaolin
- Have coached several NCAA, HS and youth Wrestling National Champions and All-American
- Cornered numerous amateur and professional MMA fighters and grapplers
Certifications and Memberships
Game Face Certified Sales Executive Game Face, Inc., Portland, OR. June 2005.
Completed
a comprehensive sales training program at Game Face Executive Academy, including:
- 40 classroom hours in the Game Face Sales Training Camp
- Live sales calls representing Game Face’s national accounts
- Mini-plan account management
- Customer service
- Lead generation and organization
- Daily supervision and evaluation of sales techniques and strategies
- NCEP Copper and Bronze level USA wrestling coaching certified
CJ Luth, Assistant Coach
Coach Luth, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Orthopedic and Sports Medicine in private practice, wrestled at the University of Southern Maine where he compiled 117 collegiate wins. He was a 2x Northeast Region place winner with two 5th place finishes. Additionally, he was a 4x NWCA Scholar All-American.
In high school, CJ was a State Open Champ, 2x Class M State Champ, and finished 4th in the New England High school Championships. He started wrestling for Team Tugman in 2010 and now is proud to continue to be a part of Team Tugman coaching the next generation of athletes.
College:
(2 year captain at University of Southern Maine)
- 2x Northeast Region Place winner
- 117 college wins
- Have been ranked in top 10 for both pins and techs
- 2017 NEWA Scholar Athlete of the Year
High school:
- State Open Champ
- 4th New England’s
- 2x Class M state Champ
- Top 12 Flonationals
Ryan Roddy, Assistant Coach
As a wrestler, Coach Roddy was a Connecticut State Open Champion for Amity Regional High School, a Prep High School All-American for Northfield Mount Hermon, and part of the 2009 Rutgers wrestling team (#3 recruit class in the country).
Certified USA Wrestling Coach
Pete Tseperkas, Assistant Coach
Wrestling Experience
- Current Head Wrestling Coach of North Haven High School
- Assistant Youth Wrestling Coach for Amity Youth 2019 - 22
- Assistant Wrestling Coach Stratford HS 2004 -2011
- Head Wrestling Coach Salem HS (MA) 2001-03
- Assistant Wrestling Coach Salem HS (MA) 1999 - 01
- Assistant Wrestling Coach Springfield Central HS (MA) 1998-99
- 2-year starter for NCAA Div. III Western New England University
- 4-year starter for top-ranked Rocky Point High School on Long Island
- 2X All Conference/All League
- Multiple-time state place winner in New York for Greco-Roman/Freestyle at Youth and Cadet levels.
Additional Skills
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt (under Gracie Sports)
- Volunteer EMT for Town of Stratford
Certifications
- CT Certified Teacher (Science)
- Certified NREMT
Blair Tugman, Head Coach
- Over 30 years of wrestling experience
- Head Coach Hamden Hall Country Day School 2017-2019
- Assistant Coach Wesleyan University 2012-2016
- Head Coach Daniel Hand High School 2010-2011(25-1, SCC Group A Champions, SCC Tournament 2nd, Class L State 2nd, State Open 2nd, New England Championship 3rd)
- Wrestled DI at Lock Haven University
- AAU Freestyle Grand National Champion(2001)
- 4X NJ Freestyle High School State Champion
- 3X NJ Scholastic High School State Place Finisher
- 4X NJ Scholastic High School Region Place Finisher
- 1X NJ Scholastic High School Region Champion
- 4X NJ Scholastic High School District Champion
Mixed Martial Arts Experience
- Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt under (Marcelo Garcia Affliliate)
- Represented USA in the 2007 Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championships
- 10 year Professional MMA Fighter
- 18 Professional MMA Fights
- 8X Bellator MMA Fighting Championships Veteran
- 2X Nationally Televised Professional MMA fights (Bellator Fighting Championships and BODOG Fighting Championships)
- Professional MMA Organizations Fought for include Bellator Fighting Championships, BODOG Fighting Championships, CES MMA, Extreme Challenge MMA, Cage Fury Fighting Championships
- AMMO Grappling Championships 1st Ever Absolute Division Champion
- Multiple Time NAGA Grappling Championships Place Finisher
Combat Sports Coaching/Training
- Trained multiple times with Team Alpha Male (California)
- Trained with multiple UFC Champions and contenders (TJ Dillashaw, Cody Garbrant, Uriah Faber, Gregor Gillispie, Chad Mendes, Anthony Benavides, Duane Ludwig, Martin Kampmann.
- Trained multiple times with IBJJF World Grappling Champions at Marcelo Garcia Academy, NYC
- Trained with Marcelo Garcia, John Danaher, Gianni Grippo, Mansher Khera, Vitor Shaolin
- Have coached several NCAA, HS and youth Wrestling National Champions and All-American
- Cornered numerous amateur and professional MMA fighters and grapplers
Certifications and Memberships
Game Face Certified Sales Executive Game Face, Inc., Portland, OR. June 2005. Completed a comprehensive sales training program at Game Face Executive Academy, including:- 40 classroom hours in the Game Face Sales Training Camp
- Live sales calls representing Game Face’s national accounts
- Mini-plan account management
- Customer service
- Lead generation and organization
- Daily supervision and evaluation of sales techniques and strategies
- NCEP Copper and Bronze level USA wrestling coaching certified
John Pivovar, Assistant Coach
John’s primary focus is improving the health status across an individual’s lifespan through fitness, activity, and behavior modifications. Empowering clients and athletes to become aware of their movements. If they move better, they will play better. Over the last 18 years he’s had the opportunity to work with and learn from a wide range of body types, capacities, goals, and mindsets. Ensuring the best experience, a person can have while improving one’s health. Passionate, while creating an environment that is sustainable, energetic, and educational for an individual or team. Satisfaction in knowing that he has an instant impact with an individual on their fitness journey. He believes everything we do in the gym has a greater impact on how we move through life. Practice what I preach, motto: “Out lift a runner and out run a lifter”. He is thrilled to coach you and bring his joy of fitness to every client, let’s go!
Bachelor of Science in Public Health S.C.S.U.
Certifications
- I.F.P.A. - International Fitness Professional Association
- *Accredited by NCCA and approved by Veterans Affairs
- Personal Training, Advance Personal Training, Advance Functional trainer, Advanced Group Fitness, Life Fitness Coach, Youth Fitness trainer, Kettlebell certified, Flexibility specialist
SPECTRUM - Leader in Human Performance
Fitness Methodology & Application: The Pelvis, The Scapula, The Spine 500+ hours
- TRX - Qualified
- Spinning - Mad Dogg Athletics
- Cross Fit Strongman certification course - 2013
- HealthAhead Corporate Wellness Member since 2010
- CPR/First Aid
Accomplishments
- Finisher of multiple 5K and 10K
- Finisher of multiple half-marathons - 8:15 pace
- Finisher of 2014 Spartan -Ultra Beast, Killington & 2016 Spartan - Ultra Beast, New Jersey
- Finisher Ragnar – Ultra, Team Relay, trail - 2015, 2016
- Finisher of 8 Full Tough Mudder - Obstacle course
Mike McGraw, Assistant Coach
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Mikes gathered a vast amount of knowledge from all aspects of the fitness world over the past 16 years, as well as success from participating in high level athletics. Dedicated in assisting clients and athletes achieve their highest level of performance in their respective sport. His passion for sports combined with his knowledge and skills help him personalize each session according to their specific fitness levels and abilities. His goals with his clients are to not only increase strength and help them reach their fitness goals, but to help every client live a more functional and well-rounded lifestyle. Mike works hard to be a role model for his clients, he continually encourages, inspires, and motivates all in his life. Nothing better after a session when you’ve helped your client complete the unthinkable. He is excited to coach, and enhance the best you!
Certifications
- NASM certified trainer
- CPR Certified
Accomplishments
- Current Amateur Mix Martial Arts (MMA) fighter
- Amateur power lifting competitor 2008
- Amateur body builder 2015
- AAA Minor League football player 2X Captain 2007-2018
- Nationally ranked CrossFit athlete 2012-2014
- Collegiate rugby 2005-2006
- Division 1 athlete 2005 - Iona
CJ Luth, Assistant Coach
CJ is currently working as a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Prolete Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.
College:
(2 year captain at University of Southern Maine)
- 2x Northeast Region Place winner
- 117 college wins
- Have been ranked in top 10 for both pins and techs
- 2017 NEWA Scholar Athlete of the Year
High school:
- State Open Champ
- 4th New England’s
- 2x Class M state Champ
- Top 12 Flonationals
