INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A St. Albans native will be part of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four this weekend, but not in the way you might expect.
Adam Fletcher, a graduate of St. Albans High School, serves as the strength and conditioning coach for the University of Illinois.
The Fighting Illini are set to take on the University of Connecticut on Saturday at 6 p.m. They advanced to the Final Four after defeating Iowa, 71-59, in the Elite Eight.
Fletcher assumed his role at the university in August 2015.
He said it is incredible to be on this stage, especially with this year’s team and its leadership.
“I’ve had a dream being on this stage and knew that this university was special and we’d eventually have the opportunity to get back, most recently they made it in 2005,” Fletcher said on MetroNews Midday Thursday. “But, just the incredible leadership at the university in terms of the athletics department and the research they’ve put in and honestly an incredible journey with a great group of guys on this year’s roster that’s led us to this point.”
He said he was the first member of the staff to step onto the court Thursday to be able to soak it in.
Fletcher said this has been a dream of his since he witnessed his first Final Four in Indianapolis while working at a different school.
“Honestly to step on that court today meant the world to me, you know the support that I have had from my family has gotten me to this point. It’s special, I’m not taking anything for granted,” he said.
In addition to strength and conditioning, Fletcher also oversees the team’s nutrition and handles recovery work as a licensed massage therapist.
Fletcher said his goal leading up to Saturday is to ensure the team is prepared.
“My main focus and job at this point is to make sure guys are fed well and recovered at the highest rate that we can be at this point in the season,” he said.
He said the strong basketball program at St. Albans helped foster his passion for the game.
“A great youth basketball league, that actually my brother’s in charge of now and still runs there in the city, and just a lot of passion for basketball, there’s a great history and obviously a lot of success has come out of that city,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher is the third person from St. Albans to reach the Final Four stage. Current Virginia Commonwealth University assistant coach Brett Nelson made it in 2000 while playing at the University of Florida, and former WNBA player Renee Montgomery reached the Final Four in 2009 while playing for the University of Connecticut.