The evolution of sports-focused education has increased its appeal amongst College coaches and Professional scouts. A deepened focus on a holistic approach to personal development has changed the recruiting landscape by preparing high level student-athletes to succeed at the next level. This developing model has produced some of the most recognizable student-athletes in today’s sports. While combining a purposefully academic schedule with a concentration on athletic preparation, student-athletes will now attain the utensils to achieve their personal goals. They will also possess a favorable appeal to all collegiate and professional levels. The experiences and resources that academies provide, will only ensure a greater athlete experience, a pathway towards college eligibility and acceptance while also cultivating personal development.
As the new Director of Athletics and former Director of Soccer, Todd Eason looks to implement a platform within the athletic department that has proven success. The Men’s and Women’s soccer teams have gained recognition on and off the field with the influences that Mr. Eason has implemented. The approach that Eason uses incorporates transparency, accountability and consistency, while facing extreme daily challenges. These three pillars have helped players establish sustained success while creating habits towards personal growth. Holding student-athletes to a higher standard off the playing court/field has allowed individuals to understand the importance of personal values and discipline. Furthermore, Eason’s commitment towards consistency throughout this process has shown his own discipline in valuing person over athlete.
With an understanding and experience in all levels of soccer, Eason’s team culture has provided various paths for his student-athletes and is now the foundation which he leads. His new role as Athletic Director will now provide him the opportunity to share his philosophy across the department and help influence a school identity that will help all programs find success.
On June 19-23, DME Academy hosted its first-ever lacrosse camp at their campus in Daytona Beach in partnership with The Defensive Academy.
Kyle Hartzell, Redwoods Lacrosse Club Long Stick Middie, and his crew of stud professional players, directed a four-day boys lacrosse camp that Floridians, especially, were in need of in their area. Hartzell said, “We moved our overnight camp out here to DME Academy because we had such a big ask to get out here to Florida.”
The camp focused on all parts of the defensive position, from close-defense fundamentals to transitioning the ball up the field and being a scoring threat. Aside from the on-field instruction, campers took part in ‘chalk talk’, film sessions, speed and agility training, and fun competitions against the pro players.
The Defensive Academy Lacrosse camp gave athletes a taste of what playing lacrosse at the college and professional levels looks like, and DME Academy proved to be the perfect setting for that. With everything that a college campus would have, including dorms, cafeteria, top-of-the-line athletic fields, indoor performance center, training rooms, and classrooms, the campers were able to get the full, elite experience.
After such a successful week of lacrosse and sun in Daytona, there’s no doubt that DME Academy will look to host more lacrosse camps and events in the near future. To stay in the loop, sign up for our newsletter here.
