In Santa Ana, California, sport meets science at the intersection of the 5 and 55 freeways, at the newest Athletic Republic professional sports training center, Athletic Republic of Central Orange County. Opened as of March 2009 to athletes of all ages and abilities, Athletic Republic - Orange County is the second Athletic Republic franchise to open this year. It offers a 10,000 square-foot facility replete with the finest equipment and most thorough training protocols in the business.

Confidence in Athletic Republic training facilities is at an all-time high despite other disappointing economic trends. The company was recently recognized by Franchise Times in their annual Fast 55 list of fastest growing franchises in 2008.

Pat Pohlen, Principal and Co-Chairman of Athletic Republic of Orange County, has no qualms about his investment: “To see the excitement of athletes and their parents as they viewed our facility for the first time was awesome. In these tough economic times, I’m confident that Athletic Republic’s superior training methods provide the best value for athletes that want to improve.”

They certainly have the opportunity at Athletic Republic - Orange County. The facility boasts a hockey-training rink with synthetic ice and professional-level boards and glass as well as the Athletic Republic patented Hockey Treadmill on which athletes can improve their skating form and efficiency under the watchful eye of their trainer. The Generation II Super Treadmill also offers a challenge, able to generate speeds of up to 28 miles per hour with inclines of up to 40-percent grade and declines to 10-percent grade. Athletic Republic - Orange County also offers the Plyo Press and Pro Multi-Hip, machines that help an athlete develop explosive power and first-step quickness. There’s an AccuPower diagnostic and training device to train and evaluate lower extremity stability. Other equipment includes the Ab Coaster AC2000 core-strengthening machine, the Verti-Max reactive power training device and the SoloSpike Volleyball training system to improve jump mechanics and power at the point of attack. There’s even a professional two-lane track, for timing the 40-yard dash, an onsite physical therapy clinic and a 26 x 60-foot FieldTurf™ playing field.

“In my opinion,” says Pohlen, “teaching young athletes about the sacrifices it takes to excel, and fostering their self-confidence through measured improvement throughout their training program, provides a foundation for success on both the athletic field and in the classroom. Parents can be assured that our mission is to improve and motivate each athlete to the levels of excellence they hope to achieve.”
 To learn more about Athletic Republic Orange County, visit www.AROCSpeed.com or contact Blake Robinson at (714) 972-2762.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

JOE SCHMIDT - Principal & Co-Chairman
Joe Schmidt grew up as a competitive multi-sport athlete playing all the way through college. He attended and graduated from University of San Diego where he was captain of the USD Football Team. As an owner and entrepreneur, he has realized tremendous success as a thriving businessman. He received the Arthur Hughes Award for Outstanding Alumni from USD and is very active in the Young Presidents Organization. He is the father of four highly competitive elite athletes and knows that Athletic Republic offers them and other serious athletes an opportunity to reach their full potential.

PAT POHLEN - Principal & Co-Chairman
Pat Pohlen graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1976. He enjoyed being a member of the Notre Dame Football Team during his four years and shared in their 1973 National Championship season. Pat is inspired by youth athletes and enjoys coaching multiple sports. He is a volunteer coach for Villa Park Little League, National Junior Basketball and Orange Chiefs Youth Football as well as Villa Park High School.

JEFF SCHMIDT – Partner & President
Jeff Schmidt has been active in sports his entire life and continues to be an avid biker, jogger and hiker. He and his wife Cheryl have four children and have been actively involved with their competitive sports interests for over 15 years. Jeff is a graduate of USC and earned his MBA at Claremont Graduate University. Jeff is a consummate entrepreneur and has founded, operated or owned a variety of diverse businesses. He brings a tremendous amount of management expertise and passion to the AROC team.

BLAKE ROBINSON – Partner & Vice President
Blake Robinson brings 13 years of coaching and training experience to the Athletic Republic Team, with an extreme passion for athletes and people. For the past six years, he has been an active, certified SPARQ trainer, helping with local combines and NIKE Camps. Blake also has extensive experience in conducting private speed and agility training for local youth and high school athletes. He and his wife Ivette have one two-year-old daughter.

KIM VERCILLO – General Manager
Kim Vercillo has been actively involved in youth sports for over 13 years as an administrator with local club teams. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Educational Counseling. Kim’s passion is working with school-age children, adolescents and young adults to help them navigate through their personal, social, academic and athletic worlds. Her background in business management, training and counseling gives her a nice blend of experiences to bring to the Athletic Republic Team.

TRAINING TEAM

RICK STASSI - Director of Training
Knowledge, experience and success are the core components that make Rick Stassi so valuable to premier athletes. His formal educational accomplishments include a B.S. and an M.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise physiology, sports medicine, biomechanics and motor development from California State University, Fullerton. He also completed additional programs at Stanford University. In the last 20 years, Rick has trained over 300 professional athletes, including professional Olympic Gold, World and American record-holding swimmers, 60 collegiate All-Americans in various sports, an LPGA Golf Champion and thirteen #1 draft picks in MLB. As a strength and conditioning coach, Rick has been directly involved with athletes from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, CISL and MLS as well as with over 20 teams at Loyola Marymount University and the Cal State Fullerton baseball team. Hundreds of high school athletes have also trained with Rick during their off-season conditioning programs.

DOUG INGRAHAM – Director of Hockey
Doug Ingraham is passionate about hockey. With fourteen years of playing experience and eleven years as a power skating coach, he knows what it takes to prepare an athlete to play at the highest level. For the past six years Doug has worked with youth, college and professional athletes as a multi-sport conditioning specialist as well as a hockey-conditioning specialist. He also works with the NHL as an Off-Ice Official. Doug consults with coaches and players from the NHL, Junior Hockey League and with world-class figure skaters on equipment and professional training. His knowledge and expertise makes him an invaluable part of the Athletic Republic Team.

BRETT HENNING - Hockey Manager/Performance Trainer
Brett Henning brings over 15 years of competitive hockey experience to the Athletic Republic Team. He played junior hockey in Canada before being selected to the inaugural USA Hockey Under-18 National Team Development Program. Brett also played for the USA in the 2000 World Junior Tournament in Umea, Sweden. Brett played for, and graduated from, the University of Notre Dame and was drafted in the 9th round by the New York Islanders during his junior year.

PAUL CAPONE - Acceleration Manager/Performance
Trainer
Paul Capone brings eleven seasons of football coaching, training and conditioning to the Athletic Republic Team. He has been a multiple sport athlete since the age of seven and is passionate about helping other athletes reach their full potential. Paul has enjoyed nine of the last eleven seasons on the football field, serving five seasons as head coach. He brings a strong focus on conditioning and fundamentals to our training team. Paul is currently working towards the National Strength and Conditioning Association's personal trainer certification (NSCA-CPT).