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Spire Academy
Company typePrivate boarding school
IndustryBoarding school, camp, sports camps, adult & family programs, team training, professional & collegiate training
Founded2009
HeadquartersGeneva, Ohio, U.S.
Website[1] https://www.spireacademy.com/

Spire Academy is one of six facilities in the United States to be a designated U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site.[1][2][3][4] SPIRE is also a preparatory boarding school and sports training center in Geneva, Ohio, United States.[5][6] The sports academy offers a professional preparatory experience for the sports of basketball, swimming and track and field. In addition to the academy, SPIRE offers camp programs for a wide variety of sports including soccer, football, esports and drones.[7][8][9][10] Their facilities have been used for championship conferences and as training centers for Olympic athletes.[11][12] SPIRE produced and worked with athletes such as LaMelo Ball[13][14][15], Ryan Lochte[16][17], and Tim Mack.[18]

History

SPIRE Academy first opened in 2009 as the GaREAT Sports Complex. At this time there was one building featured a synthetic turf field used for multiple sports including soccer, football and more.[19][20]

In January 2010, the track and field complex was opened for athletes. A second outdoor track and field and outdoor sports complex opened in 2012.

On February 23, 2013, SPIRE was declared an Olympic and Paralympic training site by Alicia McConnell, director of training sites and community partnerships for the U.S. Olympic Committee.[21][22]

In February 2014, SPIRE became the designated training site for USA Wrestling, the United States Olympic team. [23][24]

Programs

Basketball

Coached by Gravelle Craig and Dawud Abdur-Rahkman, the basketball program is open to high school, gap year, and post graduate students.[25] Gravelle Craig previously coached at Bethune-Cookman where the team went 74-123 (46-50 MEAC) in his six seasons.[26][27]

Its basketball alumni include LaMelo Ball who has gone on to play in the National Basketball League[28][29] and Rocket Watts. Rocket has since been recruited by Michigan State and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.[30] Another alum is Robert Bobroczkyi, who stands 7 feet 7 inches, who is still with the program but has been recovering from a recent surgery.[31][32]

Swimming

SPIRE Academy is an Official FINA Training Centre, one of the only ones in North America.[33] The swimming academy is offered to high school, gap year and post graduate athletes. [34]

In February 2020, Ryan Lochte signed on as an international swimming ambassador for the camps, events and programs at SPIRE Academy.[35] He will be engaging with students, conducting clinics and helping design the swimming program.[36]

Track and Field

The track and filed academy is offered to high school, gap year and post graduate athletes. The facility has hosted the Big Ten Conference for over six years in a row and was set to hold the 2020 conference. [37]

In April 2020, it was announced that Tim Mack would be joining SPIRE as their field training and development director.[38] Prior to joining SPIRE, Tim Mack won many awards including an Olympic gold medal while setting a new pole vaulting record of 5.95 meters and has joined the "6 meters club" by finishing first at the 2nd IAAF World Athletics Final.[39][40][41]

Camps

SPIRE offers year round camps in multiple sports including esports, drone racing, football, soccer and more.[42]

Notable alumni and athletes

References

  1. ^ "SPIRE INSTITUTE DESIGNATED U.S. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC TRAINING SITE". Team USA.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Beacon, WARREN DILLAWAY-warren@starbeacon comStar. "Spire Academy named Olympic, Paralympic training site". Star Beacon. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  3. ^ Grzelewski, Jordyn; Dealer, The Plain (2019-12-09). "Spire Academy sports complex in Geneva sold to Baltimore investment group; expansion planned". cleveland. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  4. ^ "SPIRE Academy designated U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site". SwimSwam. 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  5. ^ "SPIRE Institute and Academy Profile (2021) | Geneva, OH". Boarding School Review. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  6. ^ "Olympian Kibwé Johnson Accepts Throws Coach Position At SPIRE". www.flotrack.org. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  7. ^ Academy (IA), SPIRE Academy &. "SPIRE Partners with Shoot the Breeze Disc Golf Club to Build Free Course on Geneva, OH Sports Academy Campus". WFMZ.com. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  8. ^ "Baltimore investment firm acquires massive Spire Academy in Geneva". Crain's Cleveland Business. 2019-12-09. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  9. ^ Twitter, John Kampf JKampf@News-Herald com @NHPreps on. "Tianna Bartoletta relishes opportunity to give back and be a role model". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2021-02-05. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ Academy (IA), SPIRE Academy and. "Former Olympic Track & Field Athlete Kibwé Johnson Accepts Position as Throws Coach at SPIRE Track & Field Academy". WFMZ.com. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  11. ^ "SPIRE Academy designated U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site". SwimSwam. 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  12. ^ Warsinskey, Tim; Editor; Dealer, The Plain (2013-02-22). "Spire Academy in Geneva chosen to be independent U.S. Olympic training site, sources tell The Plain Dealer". cleveland. Retrieved 2020-04-28. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ Facebook; Twitter; options, Show more sharing; Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn; Email; URLCopied!, Copy Link; Print (2021-01-08). "LaMelo Ball and Hornets rally to beat Lonzo and Pelicans". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-02-05. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ Berman, Marc (2021-01-11). "LaMelo Ball on Knicks would've been 'phenomenal': Jermaine Jackson". New York Post. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  15. ^ Davis, Tyler J. "Game thread: Emoni Bates' 32 points leads Ypsi Prep in 80-54 win vs. St. Francis De Sales (Ohio)". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  16. ^ "12-time Olympic Medalist Ryan Lochte at SPIRE Academy (Video)". SwimSwam. 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  17. ^ Carpenter, Cassie (2020-09-16). "Ryan Lochte has been estranged from his mother Ileana 'for years'". Mail Online. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  18. ^ Reports, From Staff. "North Gwinnett grad, two-time Olympian Kibwé Johnson hired as SPIRE Academy throws coach". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  19. ^ "History | SPIRE Academy". www.spireinstitute.org. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  20. ^ Cook, Bob. "Cleveland Area Pins Its Economic Hopes on Youth Sports Complex". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  21. ^ Beacon, WARREN DILLAWAY-warren@starbeacon comStar. "Spire Academy named Olympic, Paralympic training site". Star Beacon. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  22. ^ "SPIRE Academy named Olympic training site". wkyc.com. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  23. ^ Cipriano, Guy. "SPIRE Academy in Geneva designated USA Wrestling training site". The News-Herald. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  24. ^ "SPIRE Institute". Team USA. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  25. ^ "SPIRE Academy (Geneva, OH) Basketball | MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  26. ^ "Bethune-Cookman to let Craig's contract lapse". ESPN.com. 2017-03-21. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  27. ^ "Gravelle Craig Archives". CollegeBasketballTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  28. ^ McCann, Michael. "LaMelo Ball's Purchase of NBL Team May Inspire Young Peers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  29. ^ "LaMelo Ball and SPIRE Academy lost to Prolific Prep by 35". USA TODAY High School Sports. 2019-01-22. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  30. ^ a b "Big Ten Unveils Men's Basketball Postseason Honors on BTN". bigten.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  31. ^ a b Schonbrun, Zach (2018-01-26). "A Teenager's Basketball Dream Is Size XXXXXL". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  32. ^ Jones, Kaelen. "Meet LaMelo's new teammate: 7'7" teen Robert Bobroczkyi". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  33. ^ "SPIRE Institute". Team USA. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  34. ^ "2019 Futures Championships Geneva Day 2: Current College Swimmers Win Events". Swimming World News. 2019-08-03. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  35. ^ GmbH, finanzen net. "SPIRE IA (Institute/Academy) in Geneva, OH Signs 12-time Olympic Medalist Ryan Lochte as International Swim Ambassador | Markets Insider". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  36. ^ "The Soak: Duncan Scott Fires Warning Shot With 48.53 In 100m Free At BUCS Nationals". Swimming World News. 2020-02-16. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  37. ^ "Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships to Return to SPIRE Academyin 2020". bigten.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  38. ^ "Tim Mack Motivational Speaker | Personal Development Speaker | Northeast Ohio". timmack.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  39. ^ "Patience pays off for Tim Mack | News". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  40. ^ Robbins, Liz (2004-08-28). "SUMMER 2004 GAMES -- TRACK AND FIELD: POLE VAULT; With Verve, Two U.S. Men Go the Highest". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  41. ^ "Olympic Pole Vaulting History". VAULTER Magazine. 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  42. ^ "Baltimore investment firm acquires massive Spire Academy in Geneva". Crain's Cleveland Business. 2019-12-09. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  43. ^ "LaMelo Ball to enroll, play at Ohio high school". ESPN.com. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  44. ^ Singelais, Mark (May 11, 2018). "Jalen Pickett couldn't wait to join Siena basketball". Times Union. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  45. ^ "Olympics Rio 2016: Greece's Ekaterini Stefanidi wins women's pole vault". Eurosport. 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  46. ^ "Namibian National Record Holder Xander Skinner Signs with McKendree University". Swimming World News. 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
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