GETTYSBURG, Pa. – There has never been a doubt that physical preparation and skills are important to on-field success for an athlete. However, maybe as critical is the mental approach and preparation for competition.

With the expertise of Tod Creneti, a 1992 Gettysburg graduate, Bullet student-athletes now have access to first-class mental skills coaching to gain an even greater edge in their competition venue.

Creneti, a quarterback and kicker for the Gettysburg football team, earned his bachelor's degree in studio art. After holding various positions as a youth minister, teacher and coach at the high school and collegiate level for two decades after leaving Gettysburg, he founded Foundation Coaching in 2015.

Through Foundation Coaching, Creneti provides coaching to teams focused on the areas of communication, emotional intelligence and team building. He customizes and delivers leadership development training and consulting services to businesses and individuals as well as providing keynote and other public speaking services to conferences, teams, and other organizations.

Creneti is a certified trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance, a certified master trainer for USA Football and has been a presenter for numerous professional sports teams, including the Tampa Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, Major League Baseball, Miami Marlins, Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Hawks.

After earning his master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Lynn University in December 2021, Creneti began providing his skills to his alma mater in 2022.
"Tod has been a huge asset to the entire department," Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Mike Mattia said. "Our teams, individual student-athletes, and our coaches have been able to benefit from the services that he provides. He does not only help with improved athletic performance but also his tips and strategies help in the classroom, and in overall life scenarios. The fact that Tod has been a coach – and is an alum – goes a long way in his relatability to our coaches and student-athletes. I am excited Tod will be back this upcoming academic year to build upon the successes of last year."

As mental skills coach, he designs and delivers mental skills sessions for each team centered on a key mental skills component for competition and overall mental health. He provides in-person mental skills coaching to all student-athletes and coaches throughout the school year and serves as an on-call resource for all athletes, coaches and leadership in areas of mental health crisis and conflict resolution. He also helps coaches and staff with current and relevant data to support the mental health of student-athletes in a proactive manner.

You can hear more from Creneti in his own words about the benefits of practicing mental skills in the realm of sports and beyond.