Justin Bentivegna returned to Hofstra in August 2025 for his second stint on the Pride staff, this time as associate director of athletics for sports performance. Bentivegna had been an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Hofstra from 2017 to 2022.Â
A seasoned strength and conditioning professional with more than a decade of experience spanning NCAA Division I athletics, U.S. military special operations, and academic leadership, Bentivegna was a special operations strength and conditioning specialist for Naval Special Warfare in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from 2022 to 2025. There, he delivered elite performance programming, incorporating advanced technologies like VO2 Max testing, force plate analysis, and wearable data, while working closely with multidisciplinary teams in nutrition, cognitive performance, and sports medicine. He also supported U.S. Army Special Operations Command in 2021, delivering individualized programs and readiness initiatives.
Prior to his work in tactical performance, Bentivegna spent nearly five years at Hofstra, overseeing eight NCAA Division I programs. He also oversaw the strength and conditioning department’s internship program and provided nutritional guidance to Pride student-athletes. Bentivegna also led leadership development initiatives, including the Colonel E. David Woycik, Jr. (Ret) Esq. Pride Leadership Academy, was an adjunct professor in the graduate sports science program, and was the faculty advisor for Hofstra’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. His impact earned him Hofstra’s 2018 Assistant Coach of the Year Award.
Bentivegna has also coached at the University of Connecticut, Springfield College, and College of the Holy Cross, and is a former team captain for the University of Hartford men’s lacrosse team, where he earned a degree in health science. He later completed his master’s degree in exercise science at Springfield College.
A frequent clinic presenter, Bentivegna is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a CSCCa Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified, and a BioForce Certified Conditioning Coach. He also holds certifications from USA Weightlifting, Precision Nutrition, Barbell Rehab Method, and the American Red Cross. Bentivegna is known for his athlete-centered approach, leadership focus, and dedication to excellence through service.
Â
