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medical & training staff
Previously, Howard was the assistant head athletic trainer at Menlo College from 1997-98 and head athletic
trainer and equipment manager for the ECHL’s Fresno Falcons from 1995-97.
Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from San Jose State University and is certified by both the
(NATA) National Athletic Trainer’s Association and (NCSF) National Council of Strength and Fitness. He resides in San
Jose with his wife Diana, daughters Rebecca and Alyssa and son Aaron.
Mike Potenza
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator
Mike Potenza begins his fourth year as the Sharks strength and conditioning
coordinator. He’s responsible for the team’s overall strength and conditioning programs
— including the creation of individualized postseason workout programs and assistance
in the rehabilitation efforts for all injured players.
Before coming to San Jose, Potenza served as the strength and conditioning coach
for the University of Wisconsin men’s and women’s hockey teams, both of which were
2006 NCAA National Champions. There, he worked with current Sharks center Joe
Pavelski. Potenza also had responsibilities with the wrestling and softball programs at Wisconsin.
A 2000 Springfield College graduate, Potenza earned his Bachelor of Science degree in applied exercise science.
From there, the Providence, R.I., native went to Boston University where he was a graduate assistant until 2002,
earning his master’s degree in human movement science.
Potenza completed an assortment of strength and conditioning coaching and internship experiences before his
time at Wisconsin. At the University of Miami (Fla.), he served as a weight training, speed and post-workout coach for
the perennial nationally-ranked Hurricanes football team. While earning his master’s, Potenza instructed professional,
amateur and collegiate athletes at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, a private training facility specializing in
various weight training, conditioning, agility, plyometric, stretching and rehabilitation programs.
Since graduating from Springfield, Potenza has held notable positions for Harvard and Colgate Universities.
He assisted and supervised all phases of strength training programs for all intercollegiate programs at Harvard and
Colgate and held primary coaching responsibilities with football, men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s
basketball, lacrosse and field hockey.
Potenza was part of the evaluation staff for the U.S. World Junior hockey team that competed at the 2008 World
Junior Championships in the Czech Republic. His responsibilities included offering presentations on nutrition and
recovery, administering physical testing and designing performance evaluations for each prospect.
Potenza, his wife Bonnie, and their son Griffin reside in San Jose.
FRONT OFFICE
Arnulfo Aguirre, CMT
Massage Therapist
Arnulfo Aguirre enters his third season as the Sharks full-time massage
therapist. He has worked with Head Trainer Ray Tufts’ staff on a part-time basis
since the 2000-01 season.
In his role, Aguirre works with the team’s players to facilitate and improve
injuries, as well as increasing their range of motion.
Previously, Aguirre served as the sports massage therapist for the San Jose
Earthquakes from 2000-02, including their 2001 Major League Soccer Championship
season.
In addition, he served in a similar position with the University of California-Berkeley Men’s Swim Team in
1999.
Aguirre received his certification from the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, Calif., where he also
assisted in managing the massage clinic.
2009-10 SAN JOSE SHARKS ORGANIZATION GUIDE • 29