DR. JOE DEUTSCH ’99
Dr. Joe Deutsch has been selected by the Valley City State University Alumni Board of Directors to become the 63rd recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Joe graduated from Valley City State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. He then earned his master’s and doctorate degrees from North Dakota State University.

Joe taught Physical Education for six years in Fort Yates, Bismarck, and Fargo before accepting a position in the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences at North Dakota State University in 2004. Joe is currently a Professor of Physical Education and Coaching at North Dakota State University, a position he has held for the last 20 years.

Joe is a tenured full professor with 50+ peer-reviewed refereed publications and multiple book chapters and has delivered 100+ national and international presentations. His expertise in the Physical Best curriculum that teaches concepts-based fitness to children is very well respected throughout the profession. Joe has been involved in serving from the ground floor to the top of his profession. Starting as a K-12 PE teacher and coach, he got involved with NDSHAPE, serving as the treasurer. Twenty-five years later, he has served at every level of SHAPE America, from NDSHAPE to Central District SHAPE and even the SHAPE America board of directors. Joe was just elected President-Elect of SHAPE America, the highest office anyone can serve in the profession and means he will have served as President at every level of the profession. Joe further serves as the Governor of Americas for the International Association for Health, Physical Education, Dance and Recreation and on the board of directors of the National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education. While Joe has served at the highest levels, he returns to Valley City State every fall to present to the seniors on the various levels of the profession, specifically the value of servant leadership.

Joe has served as a publicly elected member of the Fargo Park Board for 18 years. During this time, he has seen the city's footprint grow threefold. He was also instrumental in the development of public/private partnerships, which have included, most recently, the Broadway Square project in downtown Fargo, the Island Park renovation, and the new Fargo Park District Sports Center. All of these projects have garnered much-needed recreational opportunities for the greater Fargo-Moorhead region.

Joe has also enjoyed coaching several sports throughout his career, from his son’s youth teams to the varsity level, and is a ‘Lifetime Member’ of the North Dakota High School Coaches Association.

When asked what being a graduate of VCSU means, Deutsch responded, “I am truly honored to be a graduate of VCSU. Attending a school the size of VCSU afforded me the opportunity to be heavily involved in several aspects of college life. While intercollegiate sports drew me to VCSU (wrestling), I soon grew to enjoy fraternity life (EBC) and the Student Senate. Professors and staff at VCSU didn't just know your name; they knew you well and cared about you as a person. This is something that I appreciate immensely and strive to accomplish as a professor myself every day.”

Special memories of his time at VCSU include the privilege of taking Physical Education Teacher Education classes from Dr. Sharon McCarriar. Joe said, “She introduced us to our national association (SHAPE America), the national standards, and other professional development opportunities. She taught us the importance and value of life-long physical activity for our students, and I wouldn’t be the professional I am today without her support and guidance.”
Joe and his wife, Brandi, live in Fargo, ND. They have three children, Andy, Jake, and Jackson. In their free time, they enjoy following their kids in sports and participating in many recreational opportunities. Joe’s middle son, Jake, currently attends VCSU and plays football. Joe also enjoys volunteering for the Special Olympics of North Dakota.