Dr. Pelitera began his career at Canisius College in 1986.  He started out at Canisius as the strength and conditioning coordinator for all of the college’s NCAA division I athletic teams, a position that he held for 18 years. In 2004 Dr. Pelitera was offered a job as a faculty member in the kinesiology department.  He completed his doctoral degree and continues to serve in that capacity. 

 

Dr. Pelitera is the director of the Health and Wellness program and coordinates the placement and supervision of the internships for the program.  He also teaches classes in Wellness, Fitness, Nutrition and Disease evolution.  Dr. Pelitera has been interviewed and quoted in several magazines and journals based on his expertise and experience in fitness.  Recently, he was quoted in both SHAPE magazine and Prevention magazine.

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Dr. Pelitera earned both his bachelors and masters degrees at Canisius College and originally attended Canisius as a student athlete playing football for all four years. Being a part of collegiate athletics is what stirred his passion for exercise and training athletes.  He continues to train athletes and other individuals at Pelitera’s Fitness and Performance Center, a locally based workout and athletic performance facility. 

 

He has trained many professional, collegiate and high school athletes.  Recently he has focused on strength training programs for professional boxers and was the head strength and conditioning coach for “Baby” Joe Mesi  throughout Joe’s professional career. 

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In his personal life Dr. Pelitera has been married to his wife Ann for over 30 years and together they are the proud parents of 3 beautiful daughters.  Dr. Pelitera is a sportsman and an outdoor enthusiast.  He is a member of the Tonawanda Sportsmen Club and has shot competitive archery.  His hobbies include hunting, fishing and many other outdoor recreational activities.