Assistant Professor
Director of Health and Wellness Program
Dr. Pelitera began his career at Canisius University 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. Dr. Pelitera earned both his bachelors and masters degrees at Canisius University 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. Dr. Pelitera 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 “Baby” Joe Mesi’s strength and conditioning coach throughout Joe’s professional career. Pelitera’s Fitness Consultants consists of a gym and an outdoor training facility that combine to fit a variety of workout needs.
In his personal life Dr. Pelitera is married to Ann 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, camping, competing in softball at the national and international level and many other outdoor recreational activities