Athletic Republic Names Tad O'Had Vice-President of Hockey

By: Athletic Republic | 28 Shares 467 Reads

Hybrid Hockey founder and Dick Vraa Memorial Award winner brings years of training experience to corporate management team

March 04, 2008 // Franchising.com // Fargo, ND. – Athletic Republic CEO Charlie Graves today announced the appointment of Tad O'Had as Vice-President of Hockey. O'Had, the former Vice-President and Director of Hockey Operations of BlueStreak Sports Training, will be responsible for managing all sales and operations function of Athletic Republic's hockey business.

"The business and training experience Tad gained while working with BlueStreak Sports Training, coupled with his lifelong involvement with the game of hockey as a player and coach, will be put to the test as we ask Tad to elevate Athletic Republic's profile at all levels of the sport," said Graves.

O'Had's former boss at BlueStreak, Matt Cole applauded Tad's work ethic and dedication: "The success and growth that the BlueStreak hockey programs have enjoyed over the past few years, as well as their predicted outward growth in various New England locations, is largely due to Tad O'Had's leadership and passion. He has an unmatchable work ethic, dedication towards continuous improvement, appreciation for ongoing research and a passion for improving the performance and lives of every athlete that walks in the door. BlueStreak's loss is the Athletic Republic network's gain."

"I am honored to take on the role of Vice-President of Hockey for Athletic Republic and to join the incredible team Charlie Graves has assembled to help lead the business," said O'Had. "The admiration and respect I have for John Frappier, the Athletic Republic family and the Acceleration Training program makes this an exciting step forward in my career. I have seen remarkable results and athletic transformation in over 5,000 hockey players over the past five years at BlueStreak Sports Training, and I can promise you there is no other hockey training program in North America that compares to Athletic Republic's."

At BlueStreak, Tad trained athletes at three facilities in Stamford, CT, Hauppage, NY and Chelsea Piers, NY. In 2006 Tad founded Hybrid Hockey, an interactive recruiting and exposure service for hockey players looking to advance their on-ice skills and play at the college level. Tad has extensive experience at all levels of the sport, from playing to scouting to coaching, from the New England Prep League to the North American Hockey League. Tad has trained over 200 Prep School players, 97 junior players, 51 college players and 14 professional players.

Tad was named captain for two years on the Connecticut College men's hockey team. He has trained and directed teams and hockey schools in Ontario, Alberta, Michigan, Minnesota, Long Island and Connecticut. In the 2007 NHL entry draft five of Tad's athletes were selected. In addition, Tad has worked with numerous players form the US Women's Olympic Teams and the US National Training & Development Team. Tad has also worked closely with the USA Hockey selection committee for the Select Festivals.

Tad is a graduate of Connecticut College with a concentration in Sociology.

About BlueStreak:

BlueStreak Sports Training is a licensed provider of the highly effective Acceleration Training protocols developed by John Frappier. BlueStreak was founded in 2004 by JetBlue Airways Founder and Chairman David Neeleman and the former President of MSG David Checketts to help meet the training demands of individual athletes and athletic organizations. BlueStreak currently operates three facilities in the New York Tri-State Area, including Stamford, Connecticut, Hauppage, New York and Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. BlueStreak has produced many of the elite collegiate and professional athletes in the New England area. For more information about BlueStreak, visit their Web site at www.bluestreak.com.

About Athletic Republic:

Athletic Republic, formerly Frappier Acceleration® Sports Training, is the world's premiere provider of scientifically based, athletic development training programs. Founded in 1990 on the continuing research of exercise physiologist John Frappier, M.S., and Stephen C. Swanson, M.S., Athletic Republic's at more than 160 facilities throughout North America, United Kingdom and Japan.

For more information about Athletic Republic, visit www.athleticrepublic.com or call Deb Uglem at (701) 241-9018.

###