Steve Orris is the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance and Student-Athlete Wellness at Nova Southeastern University. In his position, he oversees the strength and conditioning, sports nutrition and supplement education, drug and alcohol education, and mental health awareness programs for 17 intercollegiate athletic teams and over 350 student-athletes.

Throughout his career, Orris has designed programs that have helped produce 16 Conference Player of the Year awards, seven conference championships, five trips to the Women’s College World Series (2008-2011, 2023), two trips to the Men’s College World Series (2005, 2016), four trips to the National Championship game (2005, 2009, 2011, 2016), one National Championship and several All-America awards.

Orris spent the beginning of his career at the University of Florida, where he worked as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach. During his time at UF, he worked with the baseball (2004-2009), softball (2004-2011), women’s basketball (2009-2011) and football (2003-2004) teams. He also oversaw the direction of the internship program, as well as the coaches’ clinics and youth camps. He began his work experience by completing internships with the Miami Dolphins and Houston Astros.

In 2016, Orris was recognized as a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach (MSCC) by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), earning the highest level of certification in his field. He also holds certifications through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (CES), the International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN), and Functional Movement Systems (FMS), while being recognized by USA Weightlifting as a Sports Performance Coach.

Coach Orris received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Florida Atlantic University. He received his Master’s degree in Health Education while serving as a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Hofstra University and his Doctorate in Education from Florida State University.

Dr. Orris coordinates the health and wellness education program for the Athletics Department which includes topics on mental health, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, sports nutrition, and sleep education. He also coordinates NSU’s AIM program which helps student-athletes connect with health and wellness support services. Additionally, Orris serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Health and Human Performance and Nutrition departments at NSU. He is also very active with the Broward County Special Olympics program. During his career, he has presented at the CSCCa, NSCA and ISSN national and regional conferences on the topics of collegiate sports nutrition and performance training.

Orris is married to the former Michelle Ortega of Miramar, Fla. The couple has three daughters, Meilani (16), Kami (12), and Leila (9).