Alison became the Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Yale University in the spring of 2003. Prior to Yale, Alison was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Southern Connecticut State University from August 2001 to April 2003, and was an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of New Hampshire from Fall 1997 through Spring 2001. Alison earned both her undergraduate and Master's degrees in Physical Education from the University of Oregon. While Alison completed her education at Oregon, she worked as a student assistant strength coach from 1989-1991. Alison is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has Club Coach certification from USA Weightlifting.