Dean Fraser
BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science 2011
Dean Fraser’s career since graduating from Sunderland has moved quickly out of the blocks.
The Sports and Exercise Science graduate has returned to the University to work as a Student Support Liaison Officer after filling a variety of different roles across the North East.
Among his proudest achievements is being a part of the Grenadian Olympic Coaching Team before the London 2012 games. Working alongside the athletes at their City Campus training base, Dean used pioneering biomechanical feedback techniques to improve their athletes’ starting technique. This helped the country to record their first ever gold medal at the games.
Assisting with the team’s preparations was an unforgettable experience for Dean and enabled him to make some fantastic connections to professionals with in the world of Athletics.
“While working for them, we were able to help adjust the angle of take off. That meant the athlete could increase their power output so that they could increase their time off the block and on the track,” he said. “I still keep in regular contact with a few of the team members and coaching staff.”
It was the same facilities that attracted Grenada to train at the University that initially convinced Dean to study at Sunderland, a decision which has seen him strike up a strong affinity with the city.
He added: “The thing that attracted me to Sunderland was firstly the Sports Lab facilities such as the Biomechanics and Physiology rooms. I also knew coming here would give me the experience I needed.”
Dean’s advice to current and prospective students is to make the most of the facilities and resources available and absorb as much information as you can during your time here.
He continued: “Always strive to get more information; the more you know about something, the better you can deal with it. There’s no such thing as a silly question.”
At the moment, he is enjoying his role at Sunderland and is looking forward to helping ensure students have the best possible experience during their time at University.
“Currently I’m happy in what I’m doing, providing support and guidance to students and staff here at the University. Every day is different and every enquiry is different.”
Article written by Matthew Shevlin, University of Sunderland Journalism graduate.