Aggie Performance Summit
Aggie Performance Summit
Saturday, July 18, 2026
The Aggie Performance Summit is a one-day continuing education clinic meant to enhance the integration of Performance & Wellness professionals across disciplines to improve the performance of athletes across all levels by bringing together well-known practitioners in the fields of sport performance, sports medicine, sport science, nutrition, and sport psychology.
Early Registration (before May 31) - $120
Registration (May 31-July 10) - $150
Late Registration - $200
Walk Up Day-Of - $200
Schedule of Events
Time | Event | Topic |
7:30 | Registration/Check-In |
|
8:00 | Welcome/Intro/Logistics | |
| 8:10 | Dorcas Copa | |
| 9:10 | Christi Garner-Bragg | Integrated Excellence: Mindfully Transform Athletic Performance, Recovery and Identity |
| 10:10 | Blake McCall | Planning and Progressing with the 1080 Sprint |
| 11:10 | Katie McInnis | Nutrition for Injury |
| 12:00 | Lunch | Vendor Time |
| 1:30 | Melissa Schmitz | Judgy B!#ch!: Social Media Do's and Don'ts while Coaching with Intention |
| 2:30 | Dr. Bonnie Gregory | Navigating Leadership, Egos and Elite Care in Professional Sports |
| 3:30 | Bo Sandoval | Suffer Responsibly: Composure Strategies vs Toughness Strategies |
4:30 | Football Complex Tour |
|
Meet the Speakers
DORCAS COPA
Dorcas Copa
Physical Therapist
Copa is a physical therapist from Houston, Texas. She was educated at Texas Women’s University School of Physical Therapy and at Memorial Hermann Ironman/Rockets Sports Medicine Center Sports Residency. Since graduating, she has worked at a Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Center clinic in the Houston Medical Center, collecting data for a large knee post operative ACL database and teaching in the residency while caring for orthopedic patients of all ages and activity. She began working with the NWSL's Houston Dash in 2019 part time and transitioned full time in 2022. She is currently the Head of Rehabilitation and Return to Play.
BLAKE McCALL
Blake McCall
Associate Director of Football Strength and Conditioning
Blake McCall is the Assistant Director of Football Strength & Conditioning at Texas A&M. He previously served as Director of Strength & Conditioning at Jacksonville State University, guiding the program through its FCS-to-FBS transition and achieving nine wins and a bowl victory in his second year.
McCall began his career at LSU, advancing from unpaid intern to assistant strength coach under Coach Tommy Moffitt.
A strong advocate of servant leadership, McCall emphasizes accountability, honesty, and athlete-centered development. He combines evidence-based strength and conditioning, performance technologies, and daily assessment to build stronger, faster, and more durable athletes. Known for blending sports science with practical coaching, he ensures programs align with team strategy, head coach objectives, and player welfare to maximize performance at every level.
BONNIE GREGORY
Bonnie Gregory
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Bonnie P. Gregory, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist serving as team physician for the Houston Rockets, Houston Dash, and University of Houston.
An Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, she specializes in advanced arthroscopic and complex surgical care of the shoulder, elbow, and knee for high-performance athletes.
Dr. Gregory has treated athletes from youth to professional sport, combining evidence-based medicine, innovative surgical techniques, and performance-driven rehabilitation to return athletes safely and confidently to competition. A former Duke University varsity rower and nationally recognized leader in sports medicine research and education, she brings a unique blend of clinical excellence, athlete insight, and leadership to elite sport environments.
KATIE McINNIS
Dr. Katie McInnis
Director of Research and Education - Professional Baseball Dietitians Society
Dr. Katie McInnis graduated as a two-sport athlete from Emory University with a degree in psychology. In 2010, she was accepted to the doctoral program at The University of Texas at Austin where she was the recipient of five fellowships and awarded one grant to support her research. While in graduate school she became a registered and licensed dietitian and completed her PhD in 2016.
Katie worked as a sports dietitian at The University of Texas from 2014-2021 and through her tenure worked with all 22 varsity sports. During that time, she established the first accredited sports nutrition residency program in the country and was awarded a grant to fully fund the position.
In 2022 she was hired as the Major League Performance Dietitian for the Texas Rangers and was part of the World Series winning team in 2023. She has also served as a lecturer at The University of Texas teaching Sports Nutrition to upper division nutrition majors for the last 8 years.
Currently, she serves as the Director of Research and Education for the Professional Baseball Dietitians Society and is in the process of publishing a book for sports dietitians in July 2026.
CHRISTI GARNER-BRAGG
Christi Garner-Bragg, LMSW
Sport Performance/Trauma Treatment Therapist
Christi Bragg, LMSW, EMDR, is a therapist specializing in sport performance and trauma treatment. A former college athlete residing in North Texas with her spouse of 28 years and five kids who share her competitive drive, Christi works with athletes across all levels, addressing performance anxiety, mental resilience, and psychological barriers.
Using evidence-based modalities, she emphasizes the mind-body connection in achieving optimal outcomes. Beyond athletics, she supports individuals healing from PTSD and complex trauma.
She serves on the board of Sacred Wilderness and works with the non-profit Louder Than Silence, providing therapeutic support to survivors of sexual violence.
Presentation: Integrated Excellence: Mindfully Transform Athletic Performance, Recovery, and Identity
In college athletics, where only a small percentage turn pro, how performance is elicited has profound implications for both competitive outcomes and life beyond sport. Drawing from clinical work with athletes across competitive levels and evidence-based therapeutic practice, this presentation examines how psychological factors and nervous system regulation impact performance under pressure, skill acquisition, pain perception, and injury recovery.
We'll explore the distinction between adaptive resilience—which supports sustainable performance—and maladaptive patterns that compromise long-term athlete development. Using evidence-based frameworks from both sport psychology and clinical practice, participants will learn to recognize behavioral patterns that affect athletic performance and recovery, understand the mind-body connection in competitive settings, and apply trauma-informed principles that support integrated athlete development. This approach enhances competitive performance while building the psychological foundation athletes need for success in professional sports or meaningful careers beyond athletics.
MELISSA SCHMITZ
Melissa Schmitz, MSCC, CSCS
Associate Head Performance Coach, University of Texas
Melissa Schmitz has been working with the University of Texas since fall 2015. Currently, she is an Associate Head Coach working with softball, men’s golf, and beach volleyball. She oversaw the internship program from 2016-2021 and now assists in overseeing the budget.
Prior to Texas, Schmitz worked at Georgia State University since 2009. She oversaw all training aspects for beach volleyball, softball, women’s soccer, and indoor volleyball. Previously, she’s worked with women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, cross country and cheerleading.
A native of Iowa, Coach Schmitz graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, and competed as an indoor volleyball athlete. She helped the team to three Missouri Valley Conference championships and three appearances in the NCAA tournament. While earning her master’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa she served as a graduate assistant from 2007-2009. Melissa worked with women’s basketball and women’s soccer at UNI.
Coach Schmitz is certified by the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches association and in 2022 was honored with the certification of Master Strength and Conditioning Coach (MSCC), the highest honor for a coach in the strength and conditioning field. She also holds her CSCS certification and TPI Level 2.
BO SANDOVAL
Bo Sandoval
Professor of Practice, School of Kinesiology & Sport Management - Texas A&M University
Bo Sandoval is a Professor of the Practice in the School of Kinesiology and Sport Management at Texas A&M University and a respected leader in the field of strength and conditioning. Prior to his current role, he served as Assistant Athletics Director for Strength & Conditioning at Texas A&M and as Director of Strength & Conditioning at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Sandoval led global Strength & Conditioning operations and facility development for the UFC in Las Vegas, Shanghai, and Mexico City.
Sandoval’s extensive career also includes positions with the University of Michigan, U.S. Olympic Committee, and Belhaven College. He has coached NCAA champions, Olympians, and world-class athletes across more than 20 sports. A frequent keynote speaker across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Sandoval is recognized internationally for his expertise in high-performance training, MMA, weightlifting, and interdisciplinary program design.
He holds an M.S. in Coaching and Sports Administration and a B.S. in Exercise Science from Southern Miss. Sandoval is certified through the and NSCA (CSCS, RSCC*E), CSCCa (SCCC), and was named the 2015 NSCA College Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. A Louisiana native, he and his wife Amanda reside in College Station with their sons, Grayson and Lucas.
Presentation: Suffer Responsibly: Composure Strategies vs Toughness Strategies
Registration Questions/FAQs
How do I register?
Attendees may register online by clicking here.
If registering by check, please send the check to the below address, along with the name(s) of the individuals planning to attend.
Checks Payable to: Texas A&M Athletics (memo: Aggie Performance Summitt)
Mailing Address:
Sheri Walters
Director of Sports Medicine
Bright Football Athletic Training Room
1228 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843
When are the registration deadlines?
To provide the best interactive experience registration is limited to 150 participants.
Early Early Bird (before April 16) - $109
Early (before May 10) - $120
Late (May 11–June 14) - $150
Walk-up (After June 14) - $200
Is there a student discount?
A discount of 50% will be provided to Texas A&M students with a full-time class load. Email proof of enrollment to dsuarez@athletics.tamu.edu.
Discount of 25% will be provided for non-A&M students with a full-time class load. Email proof of enrollment to dsuarez@athletics.tamu.edu.
What is your refund policy?
Registration is fully refundable prior to May 10th, and 50% refundable up to 7 days prior to the Summit.
Are you providing CEUs?
We are currently seeking CEU approval for CSCS, CSCCa, and the Athletic Training BOC. Proof of attendance certificate will be provided.
What is the University's Tax ID?
If you need the University Tax ID, please reach out to Sheri Walters at swalters@athletics.tamu.edu.
Day of Summit Questions
Where do I park?
Texas A&M parking lots 48 and 69 on the East side of Kyle Field. The lots are free on non-game day weekends.
What is the clinic location and directions?
The summit will take place in the Adam C. Sinn '00 Academic and Wellness Center. Attendees can enter through the main glass doors to access the check-in desk.
Adam C. Sinn ’00 Academic and Wellness Center
What is the dress/apparel?
Casual.
Are any meals included?
Coffee and light breakfast during the welcome (provided by a sponsor). Lunch will be on your own.
Where should I stay?
The closest hotel and walking distance from the venue (be prepared for trains passing at night):
Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
177 Joe Routt Blvd
College Station, TX 77840
888-654-4436
GENERAL MAILING ADDRESS
Sheri Walters
Director of Sports Medicine
Bright Football Athletic Training Room
1228 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843
OVERNIGHT ADDRESS/PACKAGES
Sheri Walters
Bright Football Athletic Training Room
756 Houston St
College Station, TX 77843
SUMMIT CONTACT INFO
Sheri Walters
Director of Sports Medicine
swalters@athletics.tamu.edu
