Local roots, big league dreams

His test scores weren’t stellar, and his initial plan to pursue engineering didn’t quite fit, especially since math wasn’t his strength.

But his dad saw his deep love for sports. That nudge led Hollabaugh to the University of Cincinnati Clermont College, where he began his college journey close to home and at a lower cost per credit hour.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Hollabaugh said. “But UC Clermont gave me the space to figure it out.”

That year at UC Clermont was pivotal. Coming from a small, rural high school, the transition to college could’ve been overwhelming. But the close-knit, more personal environment helped Hollabaugh build confidence and independence. After a year spent earning general education credits, he transferred to UC’s Uptown campus. Hollabaugh, who had played baseball through high school, also joined UC’s club baseball team.

Unfortunately, a shoulder injury soon ended his playing days; but it also helped solidify his academic path. He enjoyed his time rebuilding his strength in the weight room more than the training room, so Hollabaugh pivoted officially to health and fitness, earning a degree in exercise science and diving headfirst into internships.

“I realized I loved helping people get back to the sport they love,” he said.

His network and hustle paid off. Hollabaugh landed a graduate assistantship at the University of South Florida but quickly realized college athletics wasn’t his long-term fit. He returned to Cincinnati after working in Indianapolis and earning a master’s in healthcare administration from UC online. He then launched his own business, ProForce Sports Performance, which trains athletes from age 8 through the professional ranks.

“I’ve had athletes who started with me in middle school and are now playing professionally,” Hollabaugh said. “That’s the kind of impact I wanted to make.”

In 2014, he began adjunct teaching at UC Clermont and the Uptown campus, sharing his hard-earned wisdom with students through courses like sports psychology and ethics in sports. UC Clermont’s Sport Administration program is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025.

“I love shining a real-world lens on these topics,” he said. “Maybe it leads them to something bigger.”

Then, in 2023, a contact from his network reached out with an opportunity that changed everything: a role with the New York Yankees. At first, Hollabaugh said no as he was hesitant to leave his business and uproot his family from his hometown. Eventually, he took the job because he saw the bigger picture. Today, Hollabaugh serves as the Yankees’ minor league coordinator for strength and conditioning — one of only 30 such roles in Major League Baseball.

“I’m living my dream,” he said. “I wanted to play professional baseball as a kid, and now I get to be part of it.”

Hollabaugh’s job is about more than building strength. Whether working with pro athletes or young hopefuls, he focuses on teaching confidence, resilience and how to handle life’s curveballs. “You’re not just teaching them to get bigger, faster, stronger,” he said. “You’re helping them to grow as people.”

He’s also constantly learning — collaborating with industry experts, challenging coaches and helping players navigate adversity. “I love being the dumbest person in the room,” said Hollabaugh. “It pushes me to bring something valuable to the table.”

Though he lives in Tampa full-time and travels to affiliate teams in the New York area and Dominican Republic, Hollabaugh still returns to Cincinnati a few times a year. He recently sold ProForce Sports Performance but still helps to maintain its roots as the founder of the company.

His advice to students and young coaches? “Don’t always look for greener grass. Water the grass under your feet,” he said. “You don’t graduate college and get the big-time job. You’ve got to put in the time and work first.”

“You can’t make it to the major leagues without working through the minors.”

Top featured photo: Hollabaugh trains an athlete at ProForce Sports Performance, his athletic training business he started in Milford, Ohio.