Internship, Boxing Assistant Coach (Summer 2026) at Rockbridge Rock Steady Boxing (W&L CBL)
This is a summer 2026 internship opportunity based in Lexington. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and positions are open until filled or May 22, 2026. To apply, attach a resume and cover letter here in Handshake.
Position – Rockbridge Rock Steady Boxing Assistant Coach
- Location: Lexington, VA
- Duration: June 8, 2026 - July 24, 2026 (7 weeks)
- Hours: Approximately 25 hours per week
About Rockbridge Rock Steady Boxing
Rock Steady Boxing is a health and wellness program designed for people with Parkinson’s Disease. In June 2024, Rock Steady Boxing, a unique exercise program based on training used by boxing pros and adapted to people with Parkinson's disease, opened an affiliate in Lexington, VA. The program involves regular exercises, such as stretching, bicycling, running, jump-roping, pushups, balancing, and lots of non-contact boxing, led by experienced trainers/coaches. Rock Steady Boxing serves both men and women of all ages and abilities. Among the coaches are numerous Washington & Lee University students who volunteer their time and energy to assist these fighters in workouts. The students are engaging, patient, and caring.
Internship Overview
As an intern with Rock Steady Boxing, the Assistant Coach will support classes by designing warm-up and cool-down exercises tailored for people with Parkinson’s, researching games and activities that stimulate cognition (including exercises utilizing videos from trusted sources like APDA.org), assisting with fighter assessments, and working closely with the Head Coach to ensure the program's success. Additionally, during classes, the intern will help set up and break down each session, greet fighters upon arrival, assist with gloves, water bottles, and bags, demonstrate exercises and modifications as needed, offer encouragement, support fighters in getting up from the floor or moving between stations, monitor for signs of low blood pressure, dizziness, and overheating, and serve as a compassionate listener. Outside of class needs, the intern will research grants and fundraising opportunities within W&L and Rockbridge County. In the initial weeks, the student will complete a three-hour online Assistant Coach training and become CPR-certified (preferred but not mandatory).
Classes: 14 hours per week
Assessments: 4 hours per week
Research for grants/fundraising: 2-3 hours per week
Design portions of class (warm up/cool down/an activity): 1-2 hours per week
Qualifications
- Essential Skills: compassionate listener, strong verbal communication skills, ability to physically assist fighters, keen observation skills, comfortable working with and assisting those older than oneself, and adaptability.
- Desired Skills: Knowledge and/or experience with individuals who have cognitive disabilities, experience in coaching or exercise, and basic research skills.
Special Note about Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological disease that has no cure. For some unknown reason, the brain begins a decline in production of a neurotransmitter called "dopamine" which is responsible for brain-to-muscle communication. The result is a loss of motor and non-motor function. Approximately 90,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year. Ten million people worldwide are living with PD; nearly one million of those are in the U.S. By 2030 the number of people in the U.S. living with PD is expected to be 1.2 million; 10-20% are under 50 years old and considered "young-onset." Men are twice as likely to develop Parkinson's than women. Current treatments include medication, surgical treatment such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), and lifestyle changes including exercise, diet, and emotional support. There are several medications that can temporarily relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's, but exercise is the only treatment that has been medically proven to slow the progression of PD.
Several medical studies on exercise and Parkinson's have concluded that moderate to high intensity exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson's. In other words, when exercise is done at a volunteer rate, there is less benefit than when exercise is done that pushes or forces someone out of his comfort zone. ESPN ranks boxing as the most intense form of training in terms of degree of difficulty compared to 60 other sports. If "moderate to high intensity" exercise is the proven form of exercise for people with Parkinson's, then boxing is a good fit. Boxers train to improve: balance, hand-eye coordination, speed of movement, agility, muscle power, mental focus, and rhythm. All these things happen to be issues for people with Parkinson's. So instead of focusing on the specific symptoms of Parkinson's, people can learn a new skill that is fun and a good stress reliever while addressing many of the symptoms of Parkinson's.
Internship Structure
This internship is part of the Office of Community-Based Learning’s (CBL) internship program. As an intern, you will receive ongoing support from CBL staff and your on-site supervisor. You will also participate in weekly cohort meetings for training and reflection.
Students are encouraged to apply for summer funding through the Career and Professional Development Office (applications due January, March, and April) and the Johnson Opportunity Grant (applications due January or March). Please note that funding is limited and not guaranteed. Subsequent need-based funding is available through the Community-Based Learning office upon request. This internship qualifies for EXP credit (CPD 451) through the CPD office. Sign up for the CPD Canvas Course (go.wlu.edu/Canvas) to receive alerts regarding summer funding and course credit.
For questions, please email Bethany Ozorak, Associate Director of Community-Based Learning (bozorak@wlu.edu) or Prof. Sascha Goluboff, Director of Community-Based Learning (goluboffs@wlu.edu).