Our Staff

Our team brings a wealth of experience in sports medicine and peformance enhancement to the programs offered at the Avera Sports Institute.

Derek Ferley Derek Ferley, MA, CSCS, exercise physiologist, began working with Avera McKennan Acceleration in 2001 after having worked at other Frappier Acceleration Sports Training locations in Minneapolis, Minn., and Manchester, England. Derek received his undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College, a master's degree from Mankato State University and is currently completing a PhD from South Dakota State University. In his free time he enjoys a number of activities including running, reading, wood-working and home remodeling projects.

Dave Smith Dave Smith, exercise specialist, enjoys teaching and developing hockey players. He has been around the sport of hockey his entire life, having been born and raised in Taylor, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. While earning a bachelor of science degree, he played Division I hockey at Minnesota State University, Mankato 1993-1997. Dave has been a power skating instructor for numerous hockey camps throughout the United States and Canada. He has been coaching youth hockey since 1997. Prior to committing to play hockey, he played a season of junior college baseball in Macomb, Mich. Dave resides in Sioux Falls with his daughter, Bailey, and son, Camden.

Dick Bartling Dick Bartling, MS, CSCS, exercise physiologist, has been with Avera McKennan Acceleration since its inception in 1994. A native of Brookings, S.D., he received his bachelor of science and master's degrees from South Dakota State University. Dick is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Sioux Falls Exercise Science Department. He has served as a guest speaker and lecturer on exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, performance enhancement, and ergogenic aids. He has a strong interest in golf conditioning and proper training for track athletes.

Sarah Hoffman Sarah Hoffman, MS, CSCS, exercise specialist, received her bachelor of arts and master's degrees from the University of South Dakota. As an undergraduate, Sarah competed for the Coyotes' track and field team. She was named All-American twice in the hepthalon and 400 intermediate hurdles. She spent one year as the USD women's basketball strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach before accepting a position as an assistant track and field coach and head recruiting coordinator at USD. As an athlete Sarah has been through the Frappier Acceleration program three times before joining ASI. She is originally from Mitchell, S.D.