Biology major Nick Bongarzone ’13 is a natural leader. As the President of the Student Programming Board, Vice President of his class, Student Government Organization Senator and a Resident Assistant, he’s always striving to give his peers a better experience on campus. This fall he is leading the Personal Fitness Club into its second year and collaborating with the Arcadia community to revitalize student programming.

When Borgarzne arrived on campus, he immediately noticed the absence of a fitness club on campus. He decided to start something on his own rather than rely on upperclassmen or administration to lead the way. His willingness to take initiative paid off; the Personal Fitness Club was approved by the by the end of his first semester.  It currently has more than 70 active members and continues to grow.

Always interested in fitness, Bongarzone began training in seventh grade, getting involved in intramural sports like basketball, soccer and baseball. He also played football and wrestled for Central Bucks High School South. “[Sports] training really got me involved and taught me a lot about fitness. It also inspired me to pursue fitness as a career, however I wanted to shoot for something higher.” Bongarzone is a certified personal trainer and a part of the Pre-Physical Therapy program.

Looking to create even more of an impact in the second official year of the Fitness Club, Bongarzone looked to another flourishing program on campus. He approached the man behind the activities, Jack Jephson, Director of Intramurals and Recreation. They decided to partner up to create some new programs.

“Jack has been really helpful and really allowed me to push my club to the next level,” says Bongarzone. So far, they have collaborated to bring Zumba and Yoga to the Fall 2011 schedule. Jephson and Bongarzone hope to bring even more fitness classes to the Arcadia community in the future.

“Working out and growing with other people in this aspect really brings out a positive attitude in individuals,” he says. “It’s especially important as a student to relieve stress and stay physically healthy. Research shows that exercising and eating right actually makes you smarter, and preventing the ‘freshman 15’ is really good too.”

List of Weekly Events

For the most up-to-date schedule of events visit Intramurals and Recreation on Facebook.