VERMILLION, S.D.—Caleb Heim, an assistant strength and conditioning coach in the Coyotes' athletic department, has been named the 2021 Student-Athlete Choice Award winner in a digital version of The Charlies. The award recognizes a USD staff member who makes a major contribution to student-athlete or team success.
 
Heim is a native of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and joined the Coyotes in 2018. He works primarily with student-athletes on the women's basketball and softball teams while assisting regularly with football. Prior to USD, Heim served as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska.
 
"When choosing someone to nominate for this year's award, our team quickly and unanimously thought of Caleb Heim," said Allison Peplowski, a junior basketball player from Williamston, Michigan, who also serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). "Every athlete that has had the pleasure to train and interact with Caleb knows his relentless commitment to bettering his mentees' athletic performance and lives.
 
"Undoubtedly, the women's basketball team can attribute its success, in large part, to his guidance. Our team would not be the same without him. Caleb exemplifies the best of USD and I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this award."
 
Heim worked with the Husker football program while completing his master's degree in nutrition and health sciences. Prior to Nebraska, he was the head strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, Southwest Minnesota State University where doubled as an assistant coach on the Mustangs' football team. Heim spent two seasons as a quarterback for SMSU in 2011 and 2012, but injuries ended his playing career.
 
In the summer of 2014, Heim served as an intern strength and conditioning coach at the University of South Carolina, where he worked primarily with football, but also assisted with track and men's soccer. Heim was named running backs coach when he returned to campus in the fall of 2015.
 
"Caleb has displayed an outright and consistent commitment to every student-athlete on campus both in their personal development and competitive performance," said Dakota Smith, a third-year linebacker from Inglewood, California, and a SAAC member. "As a member of our dedicated strength staff, he is an immensely valuable asset to our athletic program and a key component to our success. For those reasons, we would like to acknowledge him for his continuous efforts and relentless passion for us as student-athletes."
 
Heim graduated from SMSU with a degree in exercise science along with a minor in biology. He is a NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist as well as a certified coach through USA Weightlifting.

Student-Athlete Choice Award winners:
2021: Caleb Heim, assistant strength & conditioning coach
2020: Darin Hochstein, academic advisor
2019: Clete McLeod, head strength & conditioning coach