For episode 20, we welcome back a familiar face and voice to the PrideCast and check-in with former co-host and former Springfield Assistant wrestling Coach and graduate alumnus, James Kaishian.

Jimmy Kaishian is a 2017 graduate of Perennial Power Ithaca College. With the Bombers, Kaishian strung together an incredibly consistent college wrestling career as a four year starter at 125lbs. Kaishian earned 126 wins in four years, four berths to the national tournament and was a 2016 All-American finishing his junior campaign with a seventh place finish on the national podium in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Following his impressive career with the Bombers, Kaishian began his coaching career at Springfield College where he served as an Assistant Coach for the Pride for four seasons from 2017-2021. In his tenure with the Pride’s wrestling program, Kaishian coached 22 NWCA Scholar All-Americans and six national qualifiers.

In addition to the instrumental role he played in the Pride’s Wrestling program, Kaishian established himself as a leader, scholar, and educator on Springfield’s campus. In his first two years on Alden Street, Kaishian earned a Master’s in Sport and Exercise Psychology and served as a teaching fellow in the Physical Education and Health Education Department. After completing his Master’s, Kaishian transitioned into the Teaching and Administration Doctoral Program. Amidst this transition, Kaishian wore several hats to stretch his impact beyond the wrestling room - He served as an adjunct faculty teaching Sport Psychology, and served as the President of the Graduate Student Organization. In his role with the Grad Student Organization, Kaishian served on several campus committees including the Campus Program Planning Committee on Race, Alumni Committee, and the Graduate Faculty committee. For his efforts and contributions, Kaishian won the 2021 Springfield College Campus Voice Award.

He is a product of Yorktown Heights, NY and formerly Iowa Style Wrestling Club, now known as Empire Wrestling Academy. Kaishian has come full circle and is currently back in his hometown of Yorktown, NY and serving as a coach at Empire Wrestling Academy in Somers, NY and the Head Wrestling Coach at his alma mater, Yorktown High School.

Jimmy is the first author of an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology titled, The Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions Among High School and Collegiate Student-Athletes: A Systematic Review

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Coach Kaishian as he discusses his growth as a coach, mental health in sport, his mindset in training as a college wrestler, and the value of the win the moment philosophy.

If you’d like to contact Jimmy, you can email him at [email protected], reach him on Twitter @JKaishianMS, connect with him on LinkedIn: Jim Kaishian, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-kaishian/