“In the summer of 2006, Monte Ball, Sr. introduced his son to Athletic Republic training. Back then, Montee was an aspiring running back, who had just completed his freshman year at Timberland High School in Wentzville, Missouri. Just over five years later, Montee is a junior at the University of Wisconsin and has become an Heisman Trophy finalist.

Dale Huff of Athletic Republic – Frontenac, Missouri recalls, “The Balls saw right away the benefit of speed training the running treadmill offered, but they really came to us with the goal of enhancing lateral speed and agility. The complement of the agility program coupled with the neuromuscular training offered by our sprinting protocols really helped shape Montee’s power to burst through the line, change direction and accelerate past deep defenders. Honestly, he was full of raw potential and already had a lot of success in his freshman year of High School. I think what we helped build throughout his high school career was a focused work ethic that would allow him look forward to training and conditioning and provide an understanding of what he needed to do to get to the next level.”

When asked about the opportunity to claim the Heisman bronze, Huff added, “Montee is a great young man who hasn’t lost his sense of who he is and where he came from. He is still grounded, appreciative to all those who have helped him on this journey and because of that we have been supporting him locally since he became a Wisconsin Badger and share the same sense of pride he has for the privilege to be recognized as a Heisman finalist. He deserves it and would represent the award with the same integrity and conviction that he carries both on and off the field.”

Ball is one of several Heisman finalists to have trained with Athletic Republic in the past few years, as Stanford and Minnesota Vikings running back, Toby Gerhart was recognized as the runner-up in 2009 and Arkansas turned Oakland Raider running back Darren McFadden was invited to New York to participate in the 2006 and 2007 Heisman ceremonies.

“For the last three years (2006-2009) my son has attended Athletic Republic. The speed training program includes the development of running mechanics, change of direction, quick feet skills and core weight training. Their acceleration training has improved his 40 yard dash, pro agility, foot quickness, and game speed. His explosion through the line of scrimmage this year is unbelievable, and we give the credit to him leading the state in rushing for the second consecutive year to the staff at Athletic Republic. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in developing faster and stronger athletes take a look into Athletic Republic in Frontenac, you will not be disappointed in the results.” ~ Montee Ball, Sr. (2009)”