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The United States Sports Academy is mourning the loss of its longtime Board of Trustees chairman Robert “Bob” Campbell, III, who passed away March 27, 2024, at the age of 81. Campbell served as USSA’s board chairman for the last 24 years and as a member of the board since 1993, serving all three university presidents. He was awarded the university’s Honorary Doctorate in May 2023 for his three decades of service. “Bob represented the very best of Champions in every way for the United States Sports Academy,” USSA president Dr. Steve Condon said. “Bob was loved and respected by the faculty, administration and Board of Trustees for his loyalty, work ethic, passion and integrity. He led by example and was a role model for so many future leaders. His [...]

The United States Sports Academy family is saddened to hear about the impending closure of Birmingham Southern College, one of Alabama’s most historic institutions of higher education. As BSC students begin to search for a new college home, USSA is offering a 50% tuition discount for any BSC students who transfer here. Whether you want to study in person with us in Daphne, or if you’d prefer to study online, USSA has a program that can fit your needs and help you complete your degree. We offer specialized degree programs in sports management, sports coaching, sports exercise science, and sports studies. In addition, we are introducing a business administration degree at the bachelor’s level this fall. At USSA, we have intercollegiate sports teams that will begin play in the 2024-2025 [...]

First-year United States Sports Academy head baseball coach Mike Neal recently traveled to Goodyear, Ariz., to attend spring training practices and games with Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians. While there, Neal visited with Reds staff, attended pitching meetings, and watched bullpen sessions up close. He also watched as MLB bunting legend Brett Butler taught the art of small ball to the Reds players. “A few months ago, my long-time friend Derek Johnson (Reds pitching coach) invited me to come out and spend time at spring training,” Neal said.  “For the past 30-plus years I’ve been coaching during the spring seasons so this opportunity was never a reality." Neal's time spent with the Guardians spring training staff was also rewarding as the USSA Eagles baseball coach was able [...]

United States Sports Academy women’s soccer coach Ray Leone called his first signee Addyson Oliver an “athletic and pacey striker” who will be a key part of building a successful program. Oliver is a senior striker at Mobile (Ala.) Christian School. She plans to study sports management in USSA’s bachelor’s degree program. “We are very excited to have Addy join us in this exciting venture of building our women's soccer program at USSA,” Leone said. “Addy is an athletic and pacey striker and I look forward to coaching her. The quality of Addy's character is exactly the kind we want to build the foundation of our program. Go Eagles and please welcome Addy and her Mom Lori to the USSA family.” She is the second athlete from Mobile Christian to [...]

The United States Sports Academy softball program made history when head coach Morgan Cinello signed Hailey Vanbrimmer, an infielder from Elberta, Ala., on the university’s Daphne campus on March 1. VanBrimmer is a 2021 graduate of Elberta High School and is a transfer from Spring Hill College in Mobile. At Elberta, Vanbrimmer finished the 2019 season ranked second in the nation in stolen bases with 68. As a senior, Vanbrimmer was selected to the Alabama North/South All-Star game. She was a 2019 All-State selection and an All-Region selection from 2017-2021. She is the university’s historic first softball signee. "I am thrilled to have Hailey as our first ever softball signee as well as the first female student-athlete to sign at USSA,” Cinello said. “Hailey comes from an incredible family and [...]

United States Sports Academy students who excelled during the Fall 2023 semester were honored by being included on the President’s List and Dean’s List. Those on the President’s List had a grade-point average of 4.0. Undergraduates on the Dean’s List had a grade-point average of 3.4-3.99, while graduate students on the Dean’s List had a grade-point average of 3.8-3.99. Graduate President's List:  Steven Graulau Eric Mann Radenko Miskovic Richard Ponce Undergraduate President's List:  Bartholomew Doucet Amara Gilbert Alfred Greenwood Hannah Walasik Graduate Dean's List:  Jackson Barber Jamie Joss Seth Weister Undergraduate Dean's List:  Nada Alhussain Sammie Arnsdorff Austin Caporale Santos Cruz Saul Diaz Dylan Dickey Petra Felix Christopher Fletcher Jensen Gilligan Jeremy Henderson Anthony Lactaoen Kirven Lang Isaiah Lauzon Ramses Martinez Ryan McKenrick Henry McMurphy Julia Norris Gregory O'Toole-Bierals Adrial [...]

Shelton State Community College (SSCC) and the United States Sports Academy (USSA) have signed a Transfer Articulation Agreement aimed at creating a pathway for SSCC students with an associate degree who wish to continue their education to earn a bachelor’s degree from USSA. A signing event was held Tuesday, January 30, on SSCC’s Martin Campus. The new partnership will facilitate bachelor's degree attainment for students transferring from SSCC to a bachelor’s degree program at USSA. “Shelton State consistently works to secure transfer and job pathways for our students,” said Dr. Jonathan Koh, SSCC President. “This newest partnership with USSA gives our students an opportunity to explore exciting degrees and careers in sports, sports management, and other areas.” According to the terms of the agreement, USSA will accept credits for students [...]

The United States Sports Academy is bolstering its presence in the world of higher education and sport with the hiring of two decorated Olympians to its leadership and faculty roster. Olympic swimming medalist Dr. Noemi Zaharia and Olympic handball player Cristian Zaharia joined the USSA family in January. Dr. Noemi Zaharia is USSA’s new Director of Sport Leadership and an associate professor, while Cristian Zaharia is USSA’s Director of International Sport Business Development and a member of the faculty. “What a gift the Zaharias are to our USSA family,” USSA President Dr. Steve Condon said. “Olympic and world champions with the academic credentials, passion, and experience needed to lead a world class sports university. In my 44 years in higher education, I have never seen more talented, humble, student-focused global [...]

The United States Sports Academy is excited to announce the hiring of veteran collegiate coach Ray Leone as its inaugural Head Women’s Soccer Coach. Leone joins the Eagles with an extensive 38-year career coaching at major Division I schools, such as Creighton, Clemson, Arizona State, Harvard, and Maryland. In Leone's highly decorated coaching career, he has won six conference titles, two conference Coach of the Year awards, and has led four different schools to post season play. With 24 winning seasons and 309 head coaching wins, Leone is placed in the top-25 winningest coaches among active Division I head coaches. Leone has coached 25 professional players, Olympic gold medalists, and World Champions. Leone is also a 1990 graduate of USSA with a master of sports science degree. “I am excited [...]

The halls of the United States Sports Academy echoed with holiday cheer as the university hosted a group students from the Callahan Regional School for the Deaf and Blind for a Christmas party. The students from Mobile, Ala., were greeted by USSA artist in residence Nancy Raia, who treated them to a campus art tour, holiday-themed art activities, Christmas caroling with USSA faculty and staff, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. In addition to fun for the children, Amy Arnold Hess taught USSA staff how to navigate walking with a cane while blindfolded so they could gain an understanding of the daily life of the students. Baldwin County veteran, longtime dentist, and veteran’s advocate Dr. Barry Booth provided bus travel, lunch, gifts, and more for the students. Finally [...]

The United States Sports Academy is pleased to announce the launch of Track & Field for the 2024-25 season with the hiring of head coach Andy Canegitta. Canegitta comes to the Eagles with an impressive collegiate Cross Country and Track & Field coaching resume.  Since 2014, Canegitta has served as the Head Cross Country and Track Coach at the University of Mobile, where he built the Rams to be a top NAIA program. Andy won two NAIA National Championships, two Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Championships, and was SSAC Conference Runner-ups seven times. Canegitta is a three-time SSAC Coach of the Year, earning the title in 2017, 2021, and 2022.  At Mobile, Canegitta instructed 21 All-Americans, 7 All-Freshman, 152 National Qualifiers, 340 SSAC All-Conference runners, 60 SSAC Outdoor Champions, and [...]

United States Sports Academy students who excelled during the Summer 2023 semester were honored by being included on the President’s List and Dean’s List. Those on the President’s List had a grade-point average of 4.0. Undergraduates on the Dean’s List had a grade-point average of 3.4-3.99, while graduate students on the Dean’s List had a grade-point average of 3.8-3.99. President's List:  Steven Graulau Charles Allen Maleka Autman Austin Caporale Jeremie Collins Alfred Greenwood Andrew Heard Hilary Lakes Eric Mann Gregory O’Toole-Bierals Adriel Olea Edward Senter Dean's List:  Michael Grijalba Gabriel Pacheco Coleman Sprague Demetrius Clark Sergio Contreras Andy Hobbs Bartholomew Doucet Carlos Duprey Jeremy Henderson Richard Houk Christopher Reed Megan Tuttle Taylor Trawick