DSU Athletics debuts new Refueling Station
Sagan Osborne – Dickinson State Sports & Marketing Information Director
Dickinson, N.D. - Dickinson State athletics is excited to announce the opening of a brand new “Refueling Station” in the Ben C. Frank Performance Center on campus. Several local businesses and groups came together with DSU Athletics and the DSU Heritage Foundation to help make this a possibility. The station has been available to student athletes since the start of the fall 2024 seasons.
Coca-Cola has been a vital partner in this initiative. They have not only contributed branding but also provided essential equipment such as coolers and Coca-Cola products. Their donation of these items plays a crucial role in keeping the beverages and other perishable items at the optimal temperature, ensuring that student athletes have access to refreshing drinks following their training. Coca-Cola of Dickinson has also donated coolers to both The Club golf training facility and the Biesiot Activities Center as a part of the program.
The North Dakota Beef Council has significantly contributed to the nutrition program with a generous $10,000 grant. This funding is used to procure high-quality beef from local supplier, Dunn Burgers. Dunn Burgers has stepped up by providing beef sticks and jerky at a reduced cost, ensuring that the student athletes have access to nutritious, protein-rich snacks.
Sodexo has also made substantial contributions to the program by providing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This kind of support underscores the importance of balanced nutrition and the role of food service providers in supporting athletic programs.
The Hub convenience stores in Dickinson have also played a key role by donating protein bars. These bars are a quick and easy source of energy for student athletes, fitting perfectly into their demanding schedules.
The Blue Hawk Touchdown Club and Blue Hawk Booster Club joined in to provide essential financial support to help sustain the nutrition program. Their donations are critical in helping to cover the remaining costs and ensuring that Dickinson State can continue to offer high-quality nutritional support to our student athletes. This backing reflects the community's recognition of the importance of investing in the well-being of young athletes.
In addition to the support from various organizations, student athletes contribute to the program's funding by working at concessions during sporting events.
“We are grateful for our loyal partners to make our nutrition program a reality,” said athletic director Pete Stanton. “Thanks goes to the North Dakota Beef commission for the generous grant and also a big thank you to Dunn Burgers, Coca-Cola of Dickinson, The Hub Stores, and Sodexo on the DSU campus for donating many of the products. All of these partners worked with us to make this happen and have been very generous in their financial contributions to the project. Finally, thanks to Kyle Smith (of the DSU Heritage Foundation) for his work on this. This program is a game changer for our athletic department and student athletes. The coaches and students athletes are very appreciative of this exciting change in our department.”
The success of the Refueling Station initiative is a testament to the power of community collaboration. With contributions from Coca-Cola, North Dakota Beef Council, Dunn Burgers, Sodexo, The Hub convenience stores, the Touchdown Club, the Booster Club, and the active participation of student athletes, the program is well-supported. This collective effort ensures that student athletes have the nutrition they need to excel both on and off the field.