MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Performance, Luis Velez, is pleased to announce the addition of three members to the department.  Michael Weiss as the new Assistant Director of Sports Performance, Brittany Fredrick as the Associate Athletic Trainer, and Danielle Bucknor as the Assistant Athletic Trainer.

Weiss joins Florida Tech Athletics in 2025 as Assistant Director of Sports Performance, bringing over a decade of experience in strength and conditioning at the NCAA Division I and II levels, as well as in the private sector.

"I am excited to have Michael join our Sports Performance team," said Velez. "He brings a well-rounded background in Strength and Conditioning with previous experiences in Division I athletics and the private sector."

Most recently, Weiss served as a consultant for several private performance and fitness organizations, including Cosa Performance, RoxFire Fitness, and D1 Training, where he developed research-based strength programs and provided performance coaching to high school, collegiate, and general population athletes.

From 2017 to 2019, he served as a graduate assistant at Belmont University, where he was the primary strength coach for the baseball, cheerleading, and women's soccer teams. Additionally, he led training for the women's basketball team in an interim head coaching capacity. He has also held roles at Florida Atlantic University, the University of North Florida, and Eastern Michigan University, where he worked with various sports, including football, golf, volleyball, tennis, and cross-country.

In the private sector, Weiss gained hands-on experience at elite facilities including Cressey Sports Performance and the Florida Panthers IceDen. He has also worked in the wellness industry as a lead coach and stretch practitioner, collaborating with physical therapists, athletic trainers, and medical staff to support the long-term health and wellness of athletes.

Weiss holds a Master's in Sport Administration from Belmont University and a Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Florida Atlantic University. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA, with additional certifications in Functional Movement Screening, Sports Science, and CPR/AED.

Fredrick joins Florida Tech Athletics in 2025 as the Associate Athletic Trainer, equipped with a background in athletic training from NCAA Division I programs, secondary schools, and professional sports.

Velez is pleased with the addition, "I am delighted to welcome Brittany back to her hometown to continue her career in college athletics here at Florida Tech. Brittany brings a unique perspective as she is joining us after working in a variety of settings, including Division I athletics, high school, military, and professional softball."

Fredrick most recently served as Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine for women's basketball at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she oversaw injury evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and medical referrals for NCAA Division I athletes. She also maintained comprehensive health records and collaborated closely with medical professionals to support athlete wellness and performance.

In 2022, Fredrick provided medical coverage and performance support for Smash It Sports Vipers during the inaugural season of Women's Professional Fastpitch. She delivered on-the-go care, including manual and therapeutic treatments, nutrition planning, and individualized strength and rehab programs during travel and competition.

She served at Anna Independent School District in Texas from 2019 to 2022, where she provided athletic training coverage for middle and high school teams, taught Sports Medicine I and II, coordinated COVID-19 return-to-play policies, and managed the department's budget and inventory. She concurrently provided per-diem athletic training services for Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation, supporting traditional and non-traditional clinical settings with outreach care and wellness education.

Fredrick's collegiate experience includes graduate work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she supported injury prevention research and developed alternative workouts for injured student-athletes. She also gained clinical experience as an undergraduate at the University of South Florida, Saint Leo University, and Freedom High School.

She holds a Master of Health Science in Athletic Training from the University of St. Augustine, a Master of Science in Kinesiology from UNLV, and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of South Florida. Fredrick is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) with licenses in Louisiana and Florida and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

Bucknor joins Florida Tech as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. She is currently completing her Master of Athletic Training at the University of Central Florida, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

"I am excited to have Dani starting her career with us as she has recently finished up her graduate work at the University of Central Florida, including clinical experience working with Orlando City Soccer Club," said Velez.

During her time at UCF, Bucknor gained hands-on experience with various athletic programs, including football, softball, cross country, and track and field. She also served as a student athletic trainer for UCF Men's Soccer and Orlando City SC (MLS), where she assisted with injury evaluations, manual therapy, and rehabilitation protocols.

Bucknor is certified in CPR/AED and Stop the Bleed. She is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the Iota Tau Alpha Athletic Training Honor Society.