North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education recently approved a degree program in exercise science at Dickinson State University. The new program was described in a press release posted on DSU’s Web site:

DSU entered into an agreement with Athletic Republic in January and will provide more than 2,000 hours of applied research work. The university will conduct three studies using specialized equipment and computer software supplied by Athletic Republic. In return for this $68,000 in-kind donation, DSU will supply the student athletes and the man hours to conduct the studies. The first study involves validating Athletic Republic’s new athletic performance composite testing system in their online database, which gives individual athletes feedback on their current level of fitness. The second study compares three different modes of exercise programs to be used by student athletes to see which generates the best results. During the third study, DSU researchers will develop strength training program content and produce supporting video examples for future Athletic Republic online products. Pete Leno, assistant football coach and director of the Ben C. Frank Human Performance Center where the research is conducted, will oversee the project.

Athletic Republic President and founder, John Frappier has worked with Pete Leno for years. In fact Pete was one of the first athletes John trained–in preparation for two Canadian Football League combines. John offered these observations about this latest collaboration with Pete Leno and DSU:

We are all brought up by our parents with the intention of going to college. Higher education is viewed as a way to better our lives and become successful in whatever endeavor we choose.

With its new exercise science program, Dickinson State University has stepped forward to offer a degree with tremendous practical application. As an individual who went through the hoops of undergrad and graduate school, then stepped outside the box to form my own business, I built a company that needs trained exercise scientists with relevant college degrees. The DSU program really fills that niche.

Athletic Republic is always looking for qualified applicants, at both existing and new facilities. Career opportunities come from preparation, and DSU is offering their students the preparation they’ll need to succeed. We are proud to be a part of that. And, I’m pleased that my longstanding collaboration with Pete Leno continues.