We have a wonderful hidden treasure here at Oakland County CrossFit...Coach Mike Paquette!  Coach Mike is the Head Coach of our Olympic Lifting Team, Team Hercules, and through his dedication to the team members he has been able to help secure scholarships for 6 Michigan athletes to either Northern Michigan University or Louisiana State University.  Both of these Universities are home to one of the three US Olympic Development Centers for training weightlifters for the Olympics.  Prior to these six athletes being accepted to the program, there had not been one Michigan athlete accepted to this program!

Coach Mike is a retired teacher and counselor from the Pontiac School District, where he began his quest in helping youth get a leg up in the world.  For example, he purchased basketball shoes for a student who couldn't afford them, just so they could also have the opportunity to play.  This generous side of Coach Mike is still very evident today when he works with any of our athletes.

When Coach Mike retired from the Pontiac School District he went back to school to study Exercise Science at Oakland Community College.  From here he began to work with area High School students to increase their sports performance with Olympic Weightlifting.  He has taken the time to gain a variety of certifications including:

~  Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist

~  USAW Senior Olympic Weightlifting Coach

~  USAW Sports Performance Coach

~  American Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer

~  CrossFit Level 1 Certification

~  CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification

We truly believe that Coach Mike has not only become the area's finest Olympic Lifting Coach, but he has the background and heart to help the youth of our area achieve great things.