Jodi Clugston-Voss

When a series of concussions ended her collegiate soccer career at the University of

Jodi Clugston-Voss

Virginia after two seasons, Jodi Clugston-Voss attempted to transfer. However, the school would not release her for medical reasons.

"It was devastating," she said. "I was hoping someone would take me."

In retrospect, Clugston-Voss credits her former college coach, Steve Swanson, for preventing her from continuing to play and allowing her to enjoy her family. She's grateful for listening to the doctors.

"Looking back, I'm very thankful for how the medical staff took care of me," said Clugston-Voss, a native of Red Hill.

After giving birth in 2016, and putting her college coaching career on hold, the 2001 Upper Perkiomen graduate has shifted to personal training. In November, she started the Elite Strength and Performance in her basement in Collegeville. Clugston-Voss expressed an interest in working with high school or middle school athletes.

"They don't know how hard to push themselves if they want to compete in college," she said.

A standout goalkeeper for the Indians, Clugston-Voss earned NSCAA and Parade All-American honors. She was also selected for the United States U-16 and U-18 National teams.

At Virginia, she posted a 10-1-1 record as a freshman. The following year, she made 23 starts and helped the team advance to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament and finished her career with a 1.19 goals-against average and 72 career saves.

"I loved every minute of it. Every practice, every game," said Clugston-Voss, who was allowed to maintain her scholarship and was able to earn a Bachelor's Degree in education and a Master's Degree in physical education and health in six years.

"It was the best time of my life."

Unwilling to give up the game, she spent one season as an assistant coach at Lamar University. She also taught graduate-level kinesiology at the Beaumont, Texas school.

Clugston-Voss served as the head soccer coach at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. from 2008 to 2010. The Hawks posted a record of 15-32-3 during that period. In 2012, she began a three-season stint as an assistant coach at Drexel University.

"Whenever I stepped on the field, no matter what else was happening in my day, everything else just disappeared when I was trying to teach kids the beautiful game of soccer," Clugston-Voss said.  "I loved it."

Dwayne Wimmer

            Dwayne Wimmer wasn't planning on going to college, but he accepted an

Dwayne Wimmer

offer to walk onto the football team at Missouri Western State University after graduation. By his sophomore season, Wimmer had earned a scholarship. He eventually graduated with a degree in physical education.

            The experience taught Wimmer the importance of making the best. He said it helped him build a successful business as a personal trainer. 

            "I learned persistence," said Wimmer, a Pennsburg native.

            His business - the Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio, located in Bryn Mawr – recently celebrated its 19th anniversary. It accommodated between 70 and 75 individual training sessions with clients each week before concerns over the coronavirus pandemic forced its closure.

            "Business was good," said Wimmer, a 1982 graduate of Upper Perkiomen.

            Wimmer conducts most of the training for his clientele, which consists of busy professionals and seniors. He said the focus is on strengthening the entire body.

            In high school, Wimmer played football, basketball, ran winter track and participated on the track and field team. On the football field, Wimmer earned three varsity letters and started for two years. He played wide receiver, defensive end and served as the long snapper as a senior. His athletic highlight came during a 7-6 victory over North Penn, one of the top teams in Pennsylvania during his final season.

            During the summer of 1982, Wimmer and a classmate accepted an invitation to play at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Missouri from Fran Schwenk, a former Upper Perkiomen graduate and an assistant coach at the school.

            Wimmer started his college career at wide receiver but was shifted to tight end and defense. He also played center for the Griffons.

            "I learned to do what it takes," said Wimmer, a three-year college starter. "You may go into a situation as an underdog, but if you keep pressing, you can succeed."

            After earning a sports management degree at East Stroudsburg University, where he spent three semesters as a graduate assistant football coach, Wimmer returned home to embark on a career as a personal training career. He started as a floor instructor at the Upper Bucks YMCA in 1989.

            He worked for multiple other health clubs over the next nine years before spending 17 months working as a strength and conditioning coach at Villanova University.