About Us

My Story

I spent my younger years, nearly as far back as I can remember, working in basements and installing furnaces with my father.  He and his friends had that “real world strength” that I hear tossed around all the time.  I recall shaking hands with some of his co workers, only to have my hand engulfed like it was miniature. 

My brothers and I spent most of our time hauling around furances, boilers, pipes, and much more inbetween schools and sports.  I love sports.  I love competition.  That needs to be said.  Unfortunately I didn’t love the gym…yet! 

The strength that we received from the hard work paid off in high school.  We didn’t have a whole lot of money, but we had more than enough.  Unfortunately, with 4 boys in my family, there was too many sports going on in the fall, so I was not able to play football until I was a freshman in school.  Two weeks into my very first season, I was brought up to varsity and started immediately. 

Was I the best athlete?  No.  However, I had the gift of work ethic, passed down through the generations to myself.  I also had the beginnings of this “real world strength.”  Fortunately I had two great coaches in high school, and they set me up with a former NFL player to develop my strength.  What a blessing!  I became hooked on the iron immediately.

There is something about lifting weights that is tough to describe.  Chances are if you are reading this site, you already get “it.”  Fortunately my training landed me at Colgate University to play football, I was estatic. 

Long story short, after starting as a freshman, I suffer a series of knee injuries and had 5 surgeries.  The doctors told me that I would never regain full strength after having “lateral releases” and cartilidge removed.  I balloned up to 315 lbs and felt like crap.

Over the summers, I was stuck in a sheet metal shop making metal squares out of large sheets of metal.  A coworker got me back into the gym, and I cut down to 250 that summer and was back in the gym.  I have not looked back since. 

I regained strength in my legs, and just to be a defiant jackass, I played two years of semi pro football and was selected to the league all star teams.  Earning my CSCS ensued shortly after and I started my own old school garage gym to give back to athletes, as so many coaches did for me. 

Synergy Athletics was started, and we have had opposing athletes running for the hills ever since!  That’s it, there is my story.

- Joe Hashey, CSCS  -

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Mission Statement

“Synergy” occurs when the result is greater than the sum of the parts. It is created when people work together to create an outcome that is greater than the individual inputs. At Synergy Athletics, we have had the good fortune of learning from positive influences throughout our careers. Our goal is to provide the next generation with both our acquired skills as well as up-to-date tools to succeed athletically and as people.

Our training involves explosive athletic lifts, increased range of motion exercises, coupled with unconventional strength and power development.

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Joe Hashey, CSCS

Joe played 4 years of varsity football, and 3 years of varsity basketball and baseball while attending Seton Catholic Central. He went on to play Division IAA football at Colgate University and earned a starting position as a freshman. After Colgate, Joe played semi-pro football and made the all EFL team as both a Defensive End and a Tight End. Joe is now an Economics Teacher at Vestal High School and coaches football and baseball.

Joe’s Credentials

Joe earned his qualifications as a NSCA CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist). Additionally he has his Masters in the Arts of Education. He is coaching, CPR, and AED certified. He has trained athletes at 3 high schools, 2 of them won state championships. Joe is also a published author, writing articles about different strength training methods. CoachHashey@synergy-athletics.com

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John Frieser, CSCS.

John is a 2004 graduate of Colgate University where he was four-year letter winner at tight end for the football team. As a CoSIDA Academic All-American and three-time All- Patriot League performer, John captained the Colgate Football team to an impressive, record-setting 15-1 season and NCAA Division 1AA National Championship runner-up finish in 2003. After graduation, John attended training camp with the NFL’s St. Louis Rams and Houston Texans in 2004. He was later allocated to NFL Europe by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 where he was drafted in the 3rd round by the Berlin Thunder. John, a starter at tight end and contributor on special teams, helped lead the Thunder to a first-place regular season finish at 7-4 and an appearance in World Bowl XIII.

John’s Credentials

John is a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) through the NSCA.  John earned his Master of Arts in Teaching in 2008.  He currently coaches varsity football and modified lacrosse in the Maine-Endwell School District and has his AED/CPR certification from the American Heart Association.  CoachFrieser@synergy-athletics.com.

 

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Camp and Training Reviews

JOE I THOUGHT THAT THE STRONGMAN CONTEST WAS AWESOME. THE BOYS REALLY LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD A GOOD TIME. BLAKE REALLY ENJOYED IT. I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH HIS DEAD LIFT. HE HAS REALLY MADE SOME PROGRESS SINCE HE HAS BEEN GOING OVER TO YOUR GYM. WE CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. AGAIN I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR STRONGMAN EVENT.
THANKS – JOHN

Coach, I’d say the players all got a major work out from camp & learned some valuable skills. What I saw as I stayed for the whole camp was a well coached, taught & supervised camp. There is no doubt that it was a valuable experience for all the participants.
Doug K. (Parent)

My son loves your camp. He has nothing but good things say to us and all his friends. He can’t wait for this summers camp, he has some of his friends coming to it. Thanks for all you do these camps help him a lot.
Thanks,
Jason S. (Parent)

Dear Coach, My nine year old son Jeremy attended camp this year. He had a great time and learned a lot by the way.
Julie R. (Parent)

Coach Hashey, I had a great time at the summer camp! I told my coach about the hand punch drill with the basketball and we have been using it since. If I had to change anything I would make it a week long instead of just one weekend. Please keep me posted on your upcoming events.
Sean (Player)

Coach – Great camp, make it full pads next year!!!!
B.L. (Player)

Lenny said that he really had a great time at the winter football camp. He loves the t-shirt and has already worn it a few times. He said that he learned a lot and looks forward to going to summer camp. Please keep us in mind if you send any mailings or emails about it.
Thank you,
Roger Y. (Parent)

Enjoyed seeing the “new” conditioning/warm-up drills. Our son, Thomas had a great time with the groups being small. Excellent coaches that motivate the kids.
T. Davis (Parent)