St. Joseph's University - Long Island

St. Joseph’s University Welcomes New Strength and Conditioning Coach, James “Z” Sowlakis

St. Joseph’s University, New York (L.I.) is proud to announce the addition of James Sowlakis, a Long Island native, as the new Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Sowlakis, who goes by “Z,” earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Adelphi University in 2011. Since then, he has built an impressive career in the training and performance space. He is the founder of HEAT Sports in Holbrook, where he primarily trains youth athletes seeking to maximize their athletic potential.

Over the course of his career, Z has worn many hats. He began with one-on-one personal training in local gyms and in-home settings before moving into program-specific training. For the past 10 years, he has exclusively trained the boys’ and girls’ volleyball programs at Hauppauge High School, a role that led to his position as Head Trainer for Rival Youth Volleyball Club.

Passionate about athlete development, Z emphasizes not only peak in-season performance, but also the importance of proper form, technique, and longevity—skills his athletes carry with them beyond their collegiate careers.