IMG Academies
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Please see the discussion on the talk page. |
 |
This article or section reads like an advertisement. Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view per Wikipedia policy. Mark blatant advertising for speedy deletion with {{db-spam}}. (help, talk) |
IMG Academies is a premier sports facility located in Bradenton, Florida. IMG Academies offers boarding, non-boarding, and weekly programs for dedicated athletes. IMG Academies is owned and controlled by talent management company IMG.
Contents |
[edit] History of IMG Academies
IMG Academies was conceived in 1978 by legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri and directors Ted Meekma and Greg Breunich. The tennis academy was operated by Nick Bollettieri at helm. During 1987, IMG made an offer to buy out the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. The new ownership would bring enough money into the school to undergo a huge expansion. IMG would set up academies for golf, baseball, soccer, and basketball by the year 1993. These sports would be taught at numerous facilities located on IMG Academies' 300 acre campus [1]. The same goal would be maintained in every program; create the most competitive athletes possible. IMG Academies would become so prestigious over the first almost thirty years of existence that thousands of athletes from 80 countries would come to hone their athletic ability. The Academy's prestige attracted stars of every professional sport to attend the campus and maintain and hone their skills during the off-season and draft combines. IMG Academies offers the following programs as of 2006 [1]:
- David Leadbetter Golf Academy
- Nick Bolletieri Tennis Academy
- International Performance Institute
- The Baseball Academy
- The Soccer Academy
- The Basketball Academy
- The Fishing Academy
- The Officiating Academy
- game on
- Mental Conditioning
- Evert Tennis Academy (Located in Boca Raton, Florida)
[edit] Campus
IMG Academies features an athletic and academic campus which is located in Bradenton, Florida. The campus sprawls over 300 plus acres holding golf driving ranges and practice facility, numerous tennis courts of different textures, baseball fields, turf training fields, indoor basketball facilities, sports performance facilities and gyms, and many dormitories. The campus is gated in to protect students and also has a second area for housing located off campus which is accessible by shuttle bus. The campus also features a junior and adult cafeteria which offers athletically nutritional foods, usually consisting of noodles or pasta for carbohydrates as well as fish or chicken. Adjacent to the cafeteria is a fully stocked pro-shop for all sports featured at the academy as well as gifts and logoed items. Also in the cafeteria area is one of the many swimming pools on campus, a student bank, and student computer lab. The deck of the pool features dozens of seats for sunbathers and swimmers and tables for students who wish to eat outdoors. The cafeteria features multiple televisions as well as a large video projection screen which is used for student movie nights and watching athletic events. The cafeteria's interior also holds the student bank where students may withdrawal money sent by their parents or check the amount still in their personal spending accounts. The accounts may be used to purchase food and equipment all over IMGA's campus. The funds may be accessed using IMGA issued student cards which hold all personal information of the students, and may be used to purchase equipment or food, pick up packages in the IMGA postal office, or go off campus on many prescheduled field trips to area malls, Wal-Marts, or amusement parks. IMGA's tennis facilities include 35 hard courts, ten clay courts (one red clay court) and six indoor courts. The 51 tennis courts on campus allow all students to have as much time as needed for practice and competition. Stadium courts are also featured to make the IMG Academies capable of hosting tournaments. NBTA's facilities allow students to work with ease on all facets of there game while avoiding unfavorable weather conditions as necessary. The Soccer Academy's facilities include four full sized soccer fields(All of which are Bermuda Grass) which have daily groomings. The multiple fields allow all full time and weekly students to reach their full potential while playing simultaneously with other groups.
The fields all are accessible to Kwik Goal soccer equipments and are nearby to several trailers which offer full video capabilitites so that players and coaches may review game and practice film. The David Leadbetter Golf Academy is located in Academy Park with the IMG Soccer Academy. DLGA includes a 30 acrea twin ended driving range so giving students the ability to always have a place to hit and avoid overcrowding, 4 greens with one designated strictly for putting, the 3 others being used for pitching, chipping, rough, and bunker play, an administration building with multiple video rooms for swing review and a club fitting facility. Hundreds of training aids and devices are available to supplement coaches' teaching. in 2005, IMG Acadmies acquired nearby golf course El Conquistador Golf and Country Club and is used by all DLGA golfers for on the course practice. The Baseball Academy is the third sporting area located at the Academy Park area of IMGA's campus. The Baseball Academy has 3 infield diamonds which are groomed daily for the best practice available. The Baseball Academy also has two full size fields which are used for games and real game situations. The Baseball Academy has 8 batting cages with pitching machines, batting tees and hitting nets, and multiple pitching mounds. The Basketball Academy is located on the main campus of IMGA and includes two regulation full NBA size basketball courts. 12 hoops are located in the indoor facility as well as multiple working stations.
The facility is fully air conditioned so that play is as easy as possible 12 months a year. The Basketball Academy's facility is adjoining to the International Performance Institute (IPI). IPI's facilities are located also on the main part of IMGA's campus. IPI has a world class weight room with all of the amenities needed for students to reach their full potential and exercise all of their sport-specific muscles. Behind the 10,000 square foot weight room are several running tracks of different varieties for speed training. The running facility includes turf, natural grass, and a four lane running track as well as a running hill. The Bolletieri Sports Medicine Clinic is also part of the International Performance Institute and uses modern techniques and technologies to heal and help the dedicated athlete. Reggie's deli is a popular restaurant on img campus. The students can get burgers, pizzas, smoothies and much more. [2]
[edit] Purpose of IMG Academies
IMG Academies has always has the goal of doing the best possible way to prepare their students to compete at a highly competitive level in their own sport. IMGA has always focused primarily on fulfilling the following missions:
- Prepare its “full-time” students for college and life.
- Provide an exceptional environment for a top quality education and exceptional athletic training
- Provide the world’s finest sports specific training facilities
- Provide mentors who lead by example
- Provide an atmosphere, and an opportunity, for student athletes to breathe life into their dreams. [1]
The success of these missions can be seen in the championships won in all of their sports and the 85% of the student body who receive some form of athletic scholarship after leaving IMGA for higher education.
[edit] David Leadbetter Golf Academy
The David Leadbetter Golf Academy on the IMG Academies Campus is one of the best if not the best premier junior golf teaching facility in the entire world. The David Leadbetter Golf Academy (DLGA) is currently directed by golf teacher David Whelan who has taught famous professional golfers such as Casey Wittenberg, Paula Creamer, and Hunter Mahan. DLGA has proven itself as the best in the world by instilling the teaching style of leading golf teaching professional David Leadbetter.The David Leadbetter teaching philosophy has produced from the IMGA Campus over the past 12 years: 86 AJGA All-Americans, six AJGA Players of the Year, two AJGA Sportsmanship Award winners, two United States Amateur Champions and two United States Girls’ Junior Champions. The results from DLGA students have surpassed all other golf boarding schools in not only the United States, but the world. DLGA has defined its teaching philosophy as, “providing an environment of excellence wherein everything from the fundamentals to success is taught, stressed and managed.” [3] At the root of the IMGA David Leadbetter Golf Academy's success is the acquiring of world class teaching professionals. In order to become a director at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, prospective instructors must complete a one year DLGA certification program. DLGA offers weekly programs as well as full-time boarding and non-boarding programs, and post graduate programs. The full-time program for DLGA students consists of attending private school in the morning, and then receiving training during the afternoon. Most DLGA full-time students attend the on-campus Pendleton School which provides flexibility in the student athlete's schedule allowing for shortened school days. The flexibility also allows junior golfers to compete in national caliber tournaments such as on the American Junior Golf Association, International Junior Golf Tour, United States Golf Association events, as well as many others. Full-time students not only go through intensive training and practice, but also take weekly or daily mentail conditioning and fitness training at the International Performance Institute. Instructors focus on fixing swing mechanics while utilizing video technology such as V1 as well as perfecting technique in all other facets of the golf game. Periods and timetables are set up for full time students so at their arrival and for several weeks to months focus is put on swing mechanics and course management. The player then moves into the tournament preparation stage, and then plays in the tournament. Tournament performance is reviewed for both physical and performance. Changes are then made to strive for success or continue that success. When the player nears graduation from their high school, instructors and other faculty focus on college placement and getting the best offer possible. Pricing of the full time program for the 2006-2007 semesters will be $41,200.00 for boarding students and $30,500.00 for non-boarding students. A vast majority of students in the full time program receive scholarship money during higher education for athletic performance. The schedule of a full time student consists of either school in the morning followed by practice, or in the afternoon. A general student schedule for the full timer usually is:
|
|
In addition to the full time program, weekly programs are offered for students wishing to seek better performance on the course but who are not interested in the full time program. the weekly or summer program provides students with feedback on golf fundamentals during their swing as well as the teaching of new techniques. The weekly program also offers some mental conditioning and physical conditioning by the International Performance Institute to continue improvement once students return home.
The David Leadbetter Golf Academy has produced many famous professional and amateur golfers. Some notable golfers and award winners include:
- Recipients of Nancy Lopez Award for Outstanding Amateur Woman Golfer
- Paula Creamer - 2005
- Virada Nirapathpongporn - 2004
- Aree Song - 2001
- AJGA Players of the Year : Rolex Junior Player of the Year (Award Presented to the Boy and Girl with the Season’s Top Performances)
- 2004 - Julieta Granada
- 2003 - Paula Creamer
- 2002 - Seung Su Han
- 2001 - Casey Wittenberg
- 2000 - Aree Song Wongluekiet
- 1997 - David Gossett
- USGA National Championships
- U.S. Amateur Champion - 1999 - David Gossett
- United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship - 2003 - Virada Nirapathpongporn
- United States Girls Junior Amateur Golf Championship - 1999 - Aree Song Wongluekiet
- United States Girls Junior Amateur Golf Championship - 2004 - Julieta Granada
- Other Notable Alumni
- Johnathan Moore - Oklahoma State University, NCAA National Champion
- Ty Tryon - Youngest Player to Earn PGA Tour Card
- Sean O'Hair-PGA Tour Player, John Deere Classic Champion
[edit] Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy
The Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy or NBTA was the original program which would start IMG Academies. NBTA opened in 1978 and can be considered the primary focus of IMGA with the most students. NBTA was built upon principles that Bollettieri saw as an integral part of tennis and athleticism. These principles are known as Bollettieri's Creed and read:
Our program is built on three guiding principles. These beliefs have been formed after countless years of coaching, teaching and educating some of the most talented tennis players in the world. They exist on the practice court, classroom, dorms and of course the competition arena. Each day you are presented with a choice - those that accept the challenge receive the rewards.
SUCCESS in life requires discipline. Discipline means you do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done... Then you do it that way all the time.
The success of our training methods and philosophy is built around RESPONSIBILITY. As Coaches, teachers and educators it is our RESPONSIBILITY to provide each athlete with the resources, knowledge and opportunity to achieve. It is the RESPONSIBILITY of every athlete to be prepared, committed and motivated to maximize their talent and reach their ability level every day. What every athltete brings to the court each day is the sole RESPONSIBILTY of that individual and non-other. Having dreams and goals brings with it the RESPONSIBILITY to strive for excellence.
Every endeavor pursued with passion produces a successful outcome regardless of the result. For it is not about winning or losing - rather, the effort put forth in producing the outcome. The best way to predict the future is to create it - therefore, we believe we have the best training methods to help each athlete achieve their dreams and goals and ultimately reach their ability level in the arena of sports and life. |
[edit] IMG Soccer Academy
The IMG Soccer Academy, like the other sports academies at IMGA, provides students with the skills necessary to play in college and professionally. Under director Tom Durkin, IMG Soccer Academy is one of the best soccer teaching facilities in the United States. Also like all other academies on the IMGA Campus, the Soccer Academy has set forth their philosophy through principles on how to reach full potential as a soccer athlete. The Soccer defines their philosophy as being based on the following principles:Unity, Trust, Humility, Discipline, Superior Effort and Pride. The IMG Soccer Academy offers full time boarding and non-boarding programs and also weekly and holiday programs for juniors and post-grads. The core objective for the IMG Soccer Academy is to "accelerate your clock" in terms of total player improvement and also development. The three core areas of improvement are found in soccer tarining, soccer fitness, and mental conditioning. After 11 years since its conception, the IMG Soccer Academy has established itself as the U.S.'s best as host of the United States U17 National Soccer Team. In addition to the U17 National Team practicing and learning through IMG's program, famous soccer youths have also trained there such as young superstar Freddy Adu. Other alumni of the IMG Soccer Academy include Manchester United's Tim Howard and the Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan. In addition to many individual youths coming to the Academy as short and full timers, many amateur and professional teams come together to learn and hone their soccer skills. Professional soccer teams which have come to the IMG Soccer Academy include FC Zurich, FK Austria Wien, the English U17 National Team, and Germany's U18 National Team [4].
[edit] The Baseball Academy
The Baseball Academy is the third and final sport which is located at the IMGA Academy Park area. The Baseball Academy was added to IMGA in 2000 with the second expansion along with the hockey academy, and now is one of the best baseball practice facilities in the nation [4]. The Baseball Academy offers the most variations of their programs in order to meet the many needs of young and post graduate baseball stars as well as professionals. Professional baseball players who have utilized the facilities and coaching include superstars Nomar Garciaparra, Pat Burrell, Vernon Wells, and Gary Sheffield [5]. Longtime director of the IMG Academies Baseball Academy Ken Bolek has brought his coaching experience, which includes NCAA Division 1 and High School to the baseball program [6]. The success of the program may be measured in the fact that 98% of the Baseball Academy's graduates will play baseball at the collegiate level [7]. The Baseball Program has 3 infield diamonds for year-round use as well as two full size baseball fields for game situations. The Baseball Academy also hosts an AAU baseball tournament yearly. Due to baseball being a team sport, the Baseball Academy builds team each year to compete at a national and state level using their full time students. Game type situations are the only way for the fundamentals learned at the Academy to be applied. In addition to baseball oriented practice and games, the students at the Baseball academy must also participate in the IPI fitness program and also mental conditioning.
[edit] IMG Hockey Academy (Defunct)
The IMH Hockey Academy was started in the year 2000 along side similarly structed IMG Soccer. The IMG Hockey Academy began with only 19 full time students and no on-campus facility. Former NHL player Derek Eisler served as the head coach of the program. The IMG Hockey Team utilized European methods of training and development in order to push their players to their full potential. The IMG Hockey Program started a ten game winning streak with its full time team while competing against college club hockey teams and highly ranked youth team around the area.[8] IMG Academies shut down the Hockey Program in 2004, after coming to the conclusion that a permanent facility on the IMG campus would be necessary for the program's continuation--a cost that could not be justified by the program's limited success relative to those of other sports.
[edit] Asian Expansion
On February 11th, 2004, IMG laid down a plan to build a second IMG Academy in Hyderabad, India. The complex will cost over 7 billion dollars and will be called the IMG Bharata Sports Academy. The IBSA will be modeled in philosophy and teaching after the extremely successful Bradenton, Florida campus. The Indian campus will at first offer tennis, golf, basketball, soccer, and cricket. The facility will support many new students from Asia and Olympic athletes [9]. Early reports predict that 30% of the students at the second campus will be from India, and the other 70% will come from other Asian countries.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "The Story" by IMG Academies
- ^ "Campus" by IMG Academies
- ^ "Philosophy of David Leadbetter Golf Academy"
- ^ a b What is the IMG Soccer Academy?
- ^ Baseball Alumni
- ^ Ken Bolek Instructor Profile
- ^ Periodization Overview
- ^ St. Petersburg Times
- ^ IMG India
