University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

A member of the University of Hawai`i strength and conditioning staff since 1995, Tommy Heffernan handles the overall operation of the strength and conditioning program for a UH atheltics department that consists of 21 intercollegiate sports and close to 500 student-athlets. He oversees three full-time assistants and three graduate assistatnts in the department.

Heffernan played for the UH football and baseball teams from 1988 to ’91, The former defensive back and slotback was a member of the 1989 team that appeared in the Jeep Aloha Bowl and was a student assistant in 1992 during the team’s Western Athletic Conference-title run and Holiday Bowl appearance. He has been affiliated with the Rainbow Warrior football program ever since with a four-year hiatus teaching at Kahuku High School. 

Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian history from UH in 1991, Heffernan taught at Kahuku where he also coached football and baseball. He returned to UH in 1995, serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coordinator under Curtis Tsuruda. Four years later, Heffernan took over the head job.

Heffernan is the founder of the Hawaii Strength Coaches Clinic, which was established in 2008.

He has been designated Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He enjoys playing softball and listening to Hawaiian music, and spending time with his family.

Heffernan and his wife, Kealoha, have three children, Hilina‘i, Ho‘omana and Hala‘i, and they reside in Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu. 

HEFFERNAN'S FILE

Personal
Hometown: Hau‘ula, O‘ahu
Alma Mater: Hawai‘i (1991)
Master of Science in kinesiology (2010)

Playing Experience
1987-91, Hawai‘i

Work Experience
1999-, Hawai‘i Head Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
1995-99, Hawai‘i Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
1992-95, Kahuku High School Assistant Football & Baseball Coach
1992, Hawai‘i Student Assistant