RecFit

Rich Alercio has worked for St Johsnbury Academy since 2013.  He began as an Assistant Athletic Director and Head Football Coach.  In 2015, he became the Director or RecFit; and in 2022 Director of the Recreation Department was added to his responsibilities.   

Rich has a USA Olympic Weightlifting Certification, is the President of the Vermont Football Coaches Association and a member of the following organizations: American Football Coaches Association, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, and Vermont Softball Umpires Association.  He sits on the board of Discover St Johnsbury.   

In 2017, Rich was named Vermont Division 1 Football Coach of the Year.  In 2018, Northern New Hampshire Northeast Kingdom Vermont all sports Coach of the Year.  And in 2020, MaxPreps named Rich Vermont’s top high school football coach.  

Before coming to St Johnsbury, Rich spent 25 years as a college football coach at West Chester University, East Stroudsburg University, The College of New Jersey, and Castleton University.  In July, 2008, Alercio was featured in American Football Monthly where he was described as “a guru of offensive line play in the northeast part of the country. 

Alercio speaks annually at the largest football clinics in the country, USA Football National Conference, Glazier Mega Clinics and Nike Coach of the Year Clinics.  He is the original offensive line contributor to xandolabs.com.  He has run the Alercio OLine Clinics for over 20 years in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vermont and has written hundreds of blogs on his site olineskills.com  

Julia is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) throught the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Julia began working at RecFit in 2017 as a front desk associate and has grown into the position of Assistant Director and Lead Personal Trainer. Julia also serves as an assistant football coach at STJ Academy, making her the first female football coach in the state of Vermont. 

As a “jack of all trades” personal trainer, Julia is able to help any and all clients reach their fitness goals. She has worked with clients ages 3 to 83 and all levels of ability. Her favorite clientele are the ones who have recently graduated from physical therapy and need some more 1-on-1 attention. In Julia's mind, there is no “one size fits all” exercise program. Every person is unique with their own needs, goals, and experiences.

Cassandra, or Cassie for short, is a local who grew up in the Northeast Kingdom. Cassie graduated from Danville High School in 2019 and decided to continue her education at Northern Vermont University Lyndon where she studies Exercise Science with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning. Upon anticipated graduation in May of 2023, Cassie hopes to work in the personal training and strength and conditioning field. Cassie has been working at RecFit St. J as a front desk employee since January of 2020. 

Kat is a certified RYT 200 and Reiki Master. Kat began her yoga journey following a spinal injury 20 years ago, and since then has become both a Hatha yoga practitioner and teacher, which has allowed her a near full recovery. Kat holds the belief that asana, the postures performed during practice, can benefit everyone. Kat’s classes focus on incorporating strength, mobility and static postures into unique sets, which are appropriate for all levels.

The mission of the St. Johnsbury Recreation Department is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the greater St. Johnsbury area through the management of a diverse array of high-quality recreational programs that foster character, community, and inquiry.

Our office is in RecFit St. J at 49 Perkins Street. St. Johnsbury Academy manages the recreation department under a contract with the municipality. This unique relationship began in the fall of 2010. An integral part of the department is the core of over 100 volunteers that pitch in each year and our community partners such as the St. Johnsbury School, Good Shepherd Catholic School, Union Baptist Church, Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, the Athenaeum, and Catamount Arts. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the Rotary Club for helping with camp scholarships, the Kiwanis Club for providing free access to swimming for the community, and NVRH for financial, advertising, and physical support to endeavors like RecFit, the Kingdom South trails project, and the annual bike safety fair. Without the time, talent, energy, and dedication of these individuals and institutions, we could not begin to offer what we do for the community each year.

Call us at (802) 751-2305 to learn more.

Sandy grew up in Barnet and is a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy. She has been teaching water safety programs for most of her life. Sandy has been teaching these programs at the Academy for over 30 years and has run the Kiwanis Pool for over 15 years. She splits her time between the RecFit front desk and the Academy pool.