Latest news with #SPIREAcademy
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SPIRE continues to grow
HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — The growth of SPIRE Academy continues in a variety of ways as more students are coming to the area and more businesses continue to open in the area. SPIRE Academy Chief Executive Officer Steve Sanders said enrollment for the recently completed school year was around 200 students and is projected to be 250-265 next year. He said the day-school program also is growing, with 15 students planning to come to the academy daily next fall. The construction of dormitories the last several years will be put on hold for a year, Sanders said. 'This will probably be the only year [dormitories aren't built],' Sanders said. He said the academy's credentialing process will likely be finalized in the next month, as well. A new traffic light at the northern entrance to SPIRE on Route 534 is in the final stages of approval from the Ohio Department of Transportation, Sanders said. He said the timing of the placement of the light is still being finalized. Several new businesses are on the horizon as well, Sanders said. He said a new Chipotle is planned for the area most recently occupied by Popp-a-razzi, which has moved to downtown Geneva. The building will be demolished and the construction of the restaurant will begin, Sanders said. A piece of property south of the Farmer Butcher Chef restaurant will likely become a Sheetz gas station and convenience store, Sanders said. The former Motel 6 on the west side of Route 534 is scheduled to be renovated into a Wyndham property in three to four months, Sanders said. The SPIRE Academy summer camp season is about to get started as well. 'This will be our biggest,' Sanders said. He said there were 1,850 campers last year, in many different sports, and will likely be around 2,000 this year. The SPIRE Academy basketball team recruiting class is growing as well, Sanders said. 'We are projecting a national-class team in year one,' he said. Sanders said there are already five Division I, potential NBA players, committed with several more likely to follow. The academy's running program is also moving ahead. Sanders said numerous athletes had national success this year, and many have signed with college programs. The academy is expanding into cross country, and creating a new course. He said land east of the present track and field building is being cleared for a new cross country course.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SPIRE continues to grow
HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — The growth of SPIRE Academy continues in a variety of ways as more students are coming to the area and more businesses continue to open in the area. SPIRE Academy Chief Executive Officer Steve Sanders said enrollment for the recently completed school year was around 200 students and is projected to be 250-265 next year. He said the day-school program also is growing, with 15 students planning to come to the academy daily next fall. The construction of dormitories the last several years will be put on hold for a year, Sanders said. 'This will probably be the only year [dormitories aren't built],' Sanders said. He said the academy's credentialing process will likely be finalized in the next month, as well. A new traffic light at the northern entrance to SPIRE on Route 534 is in the final stages of approval from the Ohio Department of Transportation, Sanders said. He said the timing of the placement of the light is still being finalized. Several new businesses are on the horizon as well, Sanders said. He said a new Chipotle is planned for the area most recently occupied by Popp-a-razzi, which has moved to downtown Geneva. The building will be demolished and the construction of the restaurant will begin, Sanders said. A piece of property south of the Farmer Butcher Chef restaurant will likely become a Sheetz gas station and convenience store, Sanders said. The former Motel 6 on the west side of Route 534 is scheduled to be renovated into a Wyndham property in three to four months, Sanders said. The SPIRE Academy summer camp season is about to get started as well. 'This will be our biggest,' Sanders said. He said there were 1,850 campers last year, in many different sports, and will likely be around 2,000 this year. The SPIRE Academy basketball team recruiting class is growing as well, Sanders said. 'We are projecting a national-class team in year one,' he said. Sanders said there are already five Division I, potential NBA players, committed with several more likely to follow. The academy's running program is also moving ahead. Sanders said numerous athletes had national success this year, and many have signed with college programs. The academy is expanding into cross country, and creating a new course. He said land east of the present track and field building is being cleared for a new cross country course.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lakeside seniors bid farewell
HARPERSFIELD — Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the Lakeside High School Class of 2025 as they graduated Thursday evening at SPIRE Academy. Alongside students were their families, school staff and district administration. Lakeside's graduation has generally been at the high school, but it was moved to SPIRE this year, after the high school's roof collapsed during the Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm. Valedictorian Aryanna Toth said there were many who helped her along the way to success. 'I would not be standing up here today if it were not for the individuals who believed in me even when I could not find it to believe in myself,' she said. 'The connections that I have made throughout these years are not fleeting.' Toth circled back to the nontraditional experience of the class of 2025. 'If I could use one word to describe it, it would probably be unusual,' she said. 'We began our freshman year coming out of the pandemic, and ended our senior year in the elementary school. I can't say this is how I expected the past four years to go, but I can say this experience has allowed us to go.' Toth learned from her experience in high school it is okay to ask people for help, she said. 'The way to truly appreciate the support that has been given to us is to actively use it, to integrate it into our future,' she said. Toth said the connections students have made will follow them for the rest of their lives. 'It is beyond important to allow yourself to rely on the support of others,' she said. 'I am not sure what will happen in the coming years, even the next two months, but what I am confident in is the connections I have built, and will continue to build moving forward.' Salutatorian Alexandra Shevchik said it was an honor to speak to her classmates. 'I have been stressing about what to say in this speech for a long time, because I feel like the people who give these speeches always have some super important life advice to give to the graduates,' she said. Shevchik had one piece of specific piece of advice to her classmates. 'Don't listen to advice,' she said. 'I know it may sound dumb to say that, but how can anyone but you know what you are going through or how you feeling at any given moment in your life.' Shevchik said everyone has to figure things out for themselves. 'Of course, if you need help along the way, there will be family, friends and teachers to give you some guidance or whatever else you may need,' she said. 'The most important thing is that you have the courage and determination to try and find an answer for yourself.' Shevchik thanked the family and friends who supported her, especially her grandfather, who she said instilled a love for learning in her, and whose birthday aligned with graduation. 'I am so glad I get to share this special day with you,' she said. Class of 2025 President Ana Wheelock said it was an honor to stand in front of her classmates. 'Our senior year took a turn that none of us saw coming,' she said. 'We found ourselves back at Huron Elementary, a place that once felt so huge when we were little, and now, just felt a little too small to us.' Wheelock and the other class of 2025 officers presented a stone emblem engraved with the Lakeside logo. 'This emblem will be built into the ground at the site of our new school [as] a symbol of our legacy and a foundation for our future generations,' Wheelock said. Lakeside High School Principal Doug Wetherholt said he could not be more proud of the class of 2025. 'I see more than just caps and gowns,' he said. 'I see stories, some filled with achievement, others shaped by struggles, but all bound together by perseverance.' Wetherholt said the class of 2025 endured more in its four years in high school than many people endure in a lifetime. 'I want to tell you a truth, something honest, and a little bit uncomfortable,' he said. 'The world owes you nothing, not a job, not a break, not even respect. I say that not to discourage you, but to empower you.' Wetherholt said each senior has proven they are strong enough to go out and get what they want. 'There are countless opportunities waiting for you,' he said. 'If you want success, earn it.' District Superintendent Lisa Newsome said the class of 2025 lifted themselves up and did not let the roof collapse stop them. 'You didn't just survive this year,' she said 'You grew. We showed resilience, and maybe, most importantly, this class proved that storms don't stop us, they shape us.'
Globe and Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
SPIRE Academy Taps NBA, NFL, and UFC Alumni to Lead Its Next Chapter of Commercialization and Player Partnerships
New Hires Bring Emmy-Winning Talent, Major League Experience, and NIL Fluency to Drive SPIRE's Brand Forward GENEVA, Ohio and HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - SPIRE Academy, a premier multisport boarding school and athletic training institution, has added three nationally recognized leaders to its executive team. These hires reflect SPIRE's focused strategy to strengthen brand partnerships, expand media operations, and deliver athlete development programs aligned with today's NIL-driven sports landscape.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
SPIRE Academy Taps NBA, NFL, and UFC Alumni to Lead Its Next Chapter of Commercialization and Player Partnerships
New Hires Bring Emmy-Winning Talent, Major League Experience, and NIL Fluency to Drive SPIRE's Brand Forward GENEVA, Ohio and HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - SPIRE Academy, a premier multisport boarding school and athletic training institution, has added three nationally recognized leaders to its executive team. These hires reflect SPIRE's focused strategy to strengthen brand partnerships, expand media operations, and deliver athlete development programs aligned with today's NIL-driven sports landscape. Adam Taylor – Head of Content and Media Taylor joins SPIRE from the PGA TOUR, where he served as Senior Director of Original Content and Production. An Emmy-winning and multiple Emmy-nominated producer, and a member of the Directors Guild of America, Taylor brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles at the NFL, UFC, and Disney. His work spans global media platform development, end-to-end content production across platforms, and audience engagement at scale. "This is about more than producing content," said Taylor. "It's about building a brand that can stand alongside the biggest names in youth sports. We have the people, the platform, and the permission to tell stories that matter." Taylor will oversee SPIRE's storytelling, content strategy, production, and media partnerships. "Adam's leadership and media vision give us a powerful advantage," said Steve Sanders, CEO of SPIRE Academy. "He brings the experience and instincts to position SPIRE not just as a school, but as a cultural brand in youth sports." Amy Liles – Head of Partnerships and Tournaments Liles, most recently with the Hall of Fame Village, brings more than 20 years of experience structuring partnerships for leading sports and real estate development brands, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Andretti Autosport, and Redwood Living. She has negotiated over $100 million in sponsorships with companies such as Coca-Cola, Marriott, Budweiser, Porsche, and The Cleveland Clinic. "We are building long-term value by creating partnerships that serve student-athletes and brands equally," said Liles. "SPIRE offers the kind of authentic, high-engagement environment sponsors are looking for." "Amy understands how to merge brand strategy with immersive experiences and real ROI," said Sanders. "Her approach will help us scale SPIRE's tournament footprint and deepen our commercial relationships." Matt Cohen – Assistant Athletic Director and General Manager Cohen comes to SPIRE from Montverde Academy's Center for Basketball Development, where he worked alongside Hall of Fame coach Kevin Boyle, who was named SPIRE's Director of Basketball and National High School Head Coach in March. A former NBA league office staffer, Cohen has hands-on experience across NIL compliance, recruiting strategy, and player development. "Our athletes need more than training," said Cohen. "They need access, structure, and real opportunities. We're building the bridge that connects what happens on the court to what's possible off it." "Matt has the instincts and experience to make NIL actionable at the high school level," added Sanders. "He connects the brand, the content, and the athlete, bringing it all together in a way no one else in our space is doing." Setting a New Standard This is the first time a high school institution has assembled a leadership team of this caliber to drive a unified strategy across partnerships, media, and athlete marketing. Each executive brings proven success from the professional ranks, now applied to an elite youth development model. "These leaders represent a major step forward in how SPIRE operates," said Sanders. "Adam, Amy, and Matt bring not only talent to our team, but also increase our credibility, reach, and scale as we build an academy business aligned with the future of sports." To learn more about SPIRE Academy and its programs, visit About SPIRE Academy: SPIRE Academy is a comprehensive academic, athletic, personal skills and college-and-career development boarding school located in a world-class event and wellness complex in Ohio's Harpersfield Township. Constructed on 750 acres under 850,000 square feet of roof, SPIRE Academy ( has five divisions: (1) SPIRE Academy & Camps, an accredited college-preparatory international boarding school and multi-sport/specialty training and development academy for grades 9-12 and post-grads; (2) SPIRE Leagues, Clubs & Professional Teams, including SPIRE Academy affiliated leagues and club programs; (3) SPIRE Events, a facility and associated team that host local, national and international tournaments and events with the NCAA, the Big East, Big Ten, Atlantic 10 conferences, the Olympics and world championship qualifiers; (4) SPIRE Institute, the research and development arm of SPIRE Academy, studying performance improvement across multiple disciplines through corporate affiliations and university relationships; and finally (5) SPIRE Fit, a membership-based fitness, swim, personal training and health center open to the community. Sports currently featured at SPIRE Academy include men's and women's basketball, esports, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.
