The Network - Fall 2024

THE NETWORK FALL 2024

UNITED STATES SPORTS ACADEMY

Eagles Soar Into USCAA Conference

GOING FOR GOLD USSA ALUMNI IMPACT OLYMPICS ( F EAT . S CO T T N OVACK)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Board of Trustees Dr. Nick Niccolai Co-Chair Mobile, AL Ms. Joan Cronan Co-Chair Knoxville, TN Mr. Vincent Butta Lloyd Harbor, NY Dr. Steve Condon Daphne, AL Dr. Gary Cunningham Santa Barbara, CA Dr. Lee A. McElroy Troy, NY Tina Xavie Beverly Hills, CA

Ms. Karen Hong Fairhope, AL Dr. T. J. Rosandich Fairhope, AL Mr. Jack Scharr St. Louis, MO Mr. Randy Smith Orange Beach, AL Dr. Reggie Sykes Mobile, AL Mr. Joseph Szlavik Washington D.C. Dr. China Jude Highlands Ranch, CO

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From The Desk of the President

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“After the Tassel” - Dr. Dana Wheeler

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Track & Field Time - Andy Canegitta

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USSA Alumni in Olympic Careers

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International Efforts

10-11 Art & Community With Nancy Raia 12

Coastal Alabama Agreement

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USSA Athletics: USCAA Acceptance

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Thorpe & Summit Scholarships Awarded

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In Memoriam: Bob Campbell

The Network - Fall 2024

USSA Mission

Design: Sophie Brooks

The United States Sports Academy is an accredited university providing forwardthinking education, specialized research, and superior service in the global realm of sports. We prepare and empower future leaders for a multifaceted and successful career in global sports through excellence in teaching, advanced scholarship, professional practice, and transformational learning.

Copy Editor: Kimiko Lumsden

Managing Editor: Eric Mann

USSA Vision The United States Sports Academy aspires to become the global center for excellence in sports higher education.

Created to serve as the world’s first, finest and most influential sports university, we educate future generations, create knowledge that takes society forward and, through practice, intellectual rigor, research & scholarship, advance our world of sports.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2024

From The Desk of the President We begin the new school year with 323 students (one hundred students up from last fall) and 109 new student athletes competing in five new intercollegiate sports. We continue to add great community leaders to our Board of Trustees with Ms. Karen Hong, the CEO of Continental Aerospace Technologies. Steven Lester, a famous Olympic artist and former USSA Sport Artist of the Year has blessed us with several new Olympic paintings, and we have added his most recent original Jim Thorpe painting to the museum collection. It is an exciting time to be at the United States President Steve Condon, Ph.D.

Sports Academy.

What is even more exciting is our future! The new enrollment growth has spurred more interest in our university, and we find incredibly talented faculty and staff attracted to compete for positions and advance our cause at the USSA. We are looking into a new branding campaign, new curriculum and degree options, new partnerships, new internships, and new advancement opportunities. We are reaching out to our Alumni and our corporate friends with projects that will take the USSA to the top tier of higher educational teaching and learning institutions.

We hope to have some more exciting news in our next edition of The Network. Check out our redesigned website or come by and see our dramatic changes in the classrooms, exercise, and fitness areas or exterior of our beautiful building. It is amazing to have active, full classrooms with eager students on campus.

So much to be proud of!

Yours,

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A f t e r Th e Tassel

By Dana Wheeler, C/O 2023, Ed.D, Assistant Professor of Hospitality & Sport Management at Liberty University The time spent at the United States Sports Academy was an exceptional growing experience. When I started my degree, I was only a student. When I finished my degree, almost ten years later, I was a wife, mother of three, and an educator. Looking back, I can see the defining moments that led me to where I am today: a full-time college professor. That would not be the case without the United States Sports Academy!

I started my career in sports as a college softball pitching coach. I experienced a career ending injury the year prior. As a result, my head coach asked if I would come on staff as a volunteer assistant coach. During this time coaching at the collegiate level, I was also working with local community softball leagues providing pitching lessons to young girls in our town. I fell in love with coaching as it soon became a platform to not only teach a sport skill but to change lives. I am a firm believer that becoming a coach should never be a job, rather it must always be a calling.

I tell you all of this because the Ed.D. I earned through the United States Sports Academy allowed me to successfully transition from the softball field to the classroom. By staying the course and focusing on my academics, while never losing my heart for sports, I am now able to teach on a larger platform than what my coaching tenure allowed me to do. Being a college professor is the coolest and greatest career in the world! It combine my love for sports and students.

Looking at my life, “after the tassel,” I am most excited about the opportunities to pay it forward for coming generations. This is what the professors at the United States Sports Academy instilled in me. The students I influence today will one day have the privilege to impact other leaders as coaches. By teaching at the undergrad, graduate, and doctoral levels, I can also continue my research into the mentoring theory that seeks to train up coaches who view their athletes as more than pawns on a sporting field. Ultimately, the cycle of influence never ends! This is why I will forever be indebted to the United States Sports Academy.

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The Value of Being a Coach

By Andy Canegitta, USSA Track & Field Coach Coaching is one of the most fulfilling careers out there. Andy Canegitta has coached some of the best athletes in the world in his career, and he’s seen firsthand how meaningful every sprint, jump, and throw can be. Below, coach Andy gives a glimpse into the rewarding world of track and field coaching.

1. Relationships with Athletes: Coaching track and field allows you to have meaningful relationships with your athletes. I enjoy getting to know them on a personal level, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and goals, and assisting them in growing both as athletes and individuals.

2. Progress and Growth: Watching the growth and development of your athletes is a special moment that I cherish, from beginners learning the fundamentals to watching experienced athletes achieve personal best or break records. Seeing improvement in their technique, overcoming challenges, and being part of their journey towards progress is truly worthwhile.

Every accomplishment or milestone is a testament to coaching and their hard work.

3. Purpose: Coaching track and field provides a sense of purpose and satisfaction. Knowing that you’re making a positive impact on the lives of your athletes, and helping them reach their goals. You can teach important values like discipline, determination, resilience, and accountability, which gives meaning to what we are trying to accomplish.

4. Continuous Learning: Coaching is not just about teaching others. Coaching is a journey of continuous learning and growth. You will enjoy exploring new training techniques, strategies, methods, and approaches to help both yourself and your athletes improve. This ongoing process of education and development keeps coaching fresh and interesting.

5. Success and Achievement: Coaching track and field can lead to moments of accomplishment and celebration as your athletes succeed in competitions, whether it’s winning a race, clearing the high jump bar, or throwing a personal best in shot put.

Being part of these moments of achievement can be gratifying.

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Campus to Competition: Alumni at the Olympics As the Paris 2024 Olympics concluded in August, a trio of United States Sports Academy alumni were representing the university in their influential roles in the global sporting event.

Scott Novack, LaTanya Sheffield, and Dr. Noemi Zaharia, OLY each bringing their unique expertise and dedication, left a significant impact on the Games. Their contributions demonstrated USSA’s commitment to developing exceptional sports professionals who excel on the world stage.

Scott Novack: Enhancing Team USA Rugby’s Competitive Edge Scott Novack, the Program Operations Manager for the USA Rugby Men’s Eagles Sevens team, played a significant role in the team’s preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Novack’s responsibilities encompass overseeing daily operations, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that the team is equipped with everything needed to perform at their best. His role was vital in optimizing the team’s performance and ensuring smooth operations both on and off the field.

Novack earned his master’s degree in sports management from USSA in 1997 and was the university’s 2018 Alumnus of the Year. He has a track record of enhancing team efficiency and success. His strategic approach and meticulous planning are set to bolster the Eagles Sevens’ competitive edge, and his efforts reflect a deep understanding of the complexities involved in high-level sports management and his commitment to developing excellence in rugby.

Novack has more than 18 years of experience as a sports administrator, managing Olympic and national teams that have won eight Olympic medals, seven world championships and more than 60 World Cup medals. In addition to his work with USA Rugby, Novack also spent time in similar roles with USA Bobsled, USA Taekwondo, and with USA’s modern pentathlon team.

Novack said his USSA master’s degree and London mentorship played a significant role in his professional career in high performance and sports operations management, as well as his employment

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at USA Rugby, his second stint at the organization.

“My USSA degree and mentorship program really set me up for a good career,” Novack said. “The experience I got, especially during mentorship in London, was invaluable. Getting my master’s degree from USSA helped me to meet the people I needed to meet, which led to my career.” This was Novack’s eighth Olympics as an administrator and team leader for Team USA. “Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, and with it being recognized by the Olympics now, there’s a huge movement of popularity here. It’s always an honor to represent the United States at the Olympics.”

LaTanya Sheffield: Leading Team USA’s Track and Field Aspirations LaTanya Sheffield stepped into the spotlight as the Head Coach for Team USA’s women’s track and field at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Sheffield’s role involved not only coaching athletes to peak performance but also mentoring them through the rigorous demands of Olympic competition. Her expertise was essential in preparing the team for a successful showing on the world stage.

In Paris, the U.S. captured a combined 34 track and field medals, the most for the team since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Sheffield earned her bachelor’s degree in sports management from USSA in 2011 and was named the university’s 2016 Alumna of the Year.

Her career has been marked by her exceptional coaching skills and dedication to athlete development. Sheffield’s leadership was instrumental in guiding the athletes through the challenges of the Games and securing their place among the world’s elite competitors. In addition to her work with Team USA, she is also the head track and field coach at Long Beach State University.

Sheffield is also an Olympian, having been a finalist in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. She finished eighth with a time of 54.36 seconds.

Sheffield also represented the United States at the 1987 World Championships.

She is a two-time gold medalist at the Olympic Sports Festival in 1987 and 1993 and won a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games. Sheffield established an American record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles in 1985 with a run of 54.66 seconds.

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She excelled in track at San Diego State University (SDSU), where she was a two-time All-American and 1985 NCAA Champion in the 400-meter hurdles. She was inducted into the SDSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

“It made sense for me to pursue my degree at the United States Sports Academy, so I could coach at a whole other level,” she said. “The program helped me to press for excellence and was important in getting my job at Long Beach State. The Academy also helped me achieve a more complete understanding of what modern studentathletes go through and prepared me academically to be a better coach.”

Dr. Noemi Zaharia: Managing the OLY House Experience USSA Director of Sport Leadership and faculty member Dr. Noemi Zaharia, OLY reated and managed the e-OLY house, which is a virtual platform for world Olympians to congregate and network during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Additionally, she organized and presented the panel discussion “Embracing Olympism: From Sporting Achievement to Life’s Successes” with three other Olympians, including Edwin Moses, Laurel Brassey Iverson, and Javier Raya as well as Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin, the president of the Association Familiale Pierre de Coubertin. Dr. Zaharia also presented the preliminary research that she and Dr. Cristian Zaharia are currently conducting on leadership skills of Olympic athletes at the OLY House.

Zaharia earned her doctorate in sports management from USSA in 2020. She is an Olympic medalist, whose impressive swimming record includes two medals in swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, winning silver in the 400 meter mixed and bronze in the 200 meter mixed for Romania. She also won five gold medals, two bronze medals and MVP honors in swimming at the 1987 Summer Universiade in Yugoslavia. She also competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Zaharia said. “The USSA faculty challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and reach for a higher level of academic excellence. USSA helped my evolution as a professor permitting me to insert my personal experiences for the betterment of future generations of teachers, coaches and sports professionals.”

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Slovakia MOU Highlights International Efforts at USSA The United States Sports Academy (USSA) and Comenius University in Slovakia agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by USSA President Dr. Steve Condon and Comenius University’s Vice-Rector for International Relations, Dr. Jozef Tancer. This MOU was made possible through the efforts of Dr. Cristian Zaharia OLY, Director of International Sports Business Development at USSA, and Dr. Brandon Spradley, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Cronan-Summitt School of Sports Business.

The collaboration began with a meeting facilitated by Dr. Zaharia in Washington, D.C., with His Excellency Radovan Javorcik, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic.

This led to a meeting in New Orleans, where the USSA delegation, including Dr. Spradley, Dr. Noemi Zaharia OLY, Dr. Cristian Zaharia OLY, and Mr. George Minoso, met with the Slovak delegation. The Slovak delegation was comprised of the Minister of Education, His Excellency Deker, 12 high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Education, Dr. Tancer, and Mrs. Stanislava Buchtova, Head of the Education and Information Department at the Slovak Embassy.

Dr. Zaharia then organized Zoom meetings with Dr. Bielik, Dean of the College of Sport Science at Comenius University. Participants from USSA included Dr. Cromartie, Dr. Spradley, Dr. Noemi Zaharia OLY, and Dr. Cristian Zaharia OLY. The final MOU also includes the College of Management and the Law School, expanding opportunities for USSA students.

Dr. Monica Singhania Visits USSA In June, the USSA faculty and staff hosted Monica Singhania, Ph.D., on campus for discussions about sustainability in sport, economic principles, and sustainable economic development issues. Singhania is a professor of management at the University of Delhi, author of seven text books on tax law, and a leading scholar in her field of sustainability.

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Notes from Nancy

ASAMA Artist in Residence by Nancy Raia As Artist in Residence at the United States Sports Academy, I have multiple tasks. These include curating and managing the vast art collection known as ASAMA, introducing the collection with guided tours to groups as well as including art lessons to many different populations both here on campus, and I travel to teach to those who cannot come.

I thought I’d share a few of my favorite moments so far! We had the Sonny Callahan Regional School for the Deaf and Blind (in Mobile) come for a tour in December. I took them on a tour of the building, allowing the students with low vision to feel the many sculptures we have and tell us what sport they determined it to be. They had great questions, “How did that artist make that? Does she have any blind friends?’” and listened intently to the stories of each artist and what they overcame to become successful. They also spent time in my classroom where they made their own art with me, modified for low vision as needed. They got big grins meeting Nick Saban through their fingers sweeping over the sculpture made by Susan McCollough.

The painting we have by Joseph Sheppard called “After the Workout” starts fascinating conversation with my many students on field trips. I ask them to tell me the story the painting teaches us, “Did he do well in the ring? What is he thinking, feeling?” They answer, “Well he didn’t win because he’s not out with the media” or “He is frustrated, look how he threw his gloves on the floor & how his head hangs down.” Here’s one that was very insightful, told to me by a high school student from Accel Academy, “Look at the anger he is holding in, he is clamping his hands forcefully on the bench with his muscles tightened all the way up to his shoulders.

He is expressing his response to his workout.”

Most recently participants in the Exceptional Foundation Gulf Coast came for a tour and art lesson, and a chance to meet our Olympians, Noemi and Cristian Zaharia. They loved making Olympic torches to surround them when they met.

They viewed the work of James Peterson, basketball player “Alex English.” They painted a face and filled it with bright colors in patches, and then we dropped circles of cereal on top to show his style of circles in patterns on the faces. I had told James earlier that I tried to explain to my students with low vision that it’s a huge painting of a face with lots of colors, and it looks like he dropped cheerios on top. James laughed and said, “oh yes! Like Froot Loops!” I brought both for my students to use, and they focused and placed them just where they felt it was right for the composition.

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Bringing people of all ages and abilities to see the ASAMA collection is vital to sharing the story of art and sports that we hold. Teaching children how to view and experience the art and learn about the artist expands their thinking and to see there is more than one answer for each one viewing it. I tell them, “This piece of artwork has captured a moment in time. Something happened before this capture, and after. Can you tell me what happened?” They begin to imagine the storyline and the moments before, during and after a victory, or a loss.

We talk about the process of artmaking, and the artist’s journey and why they may have chosen this subject.

It is a wonderful way we can reach throughout our community to share so much about the sports world through art, and the wins and losses of each, the challenges and the goal setting and highlights of careers in both. They learn about patience and goals and working hard to achieve, as well as an understanding and enrichment from the vast array of art styles we must share with them.

20 2 4 Sp ort A rt Con test W i nn e r s Overall: James Middleton, Spanish Fort High School Painting: Zoey Smith, Daphne High School Drawing: Isabelle Rutland, (Represented by Carrie Jackson) Bayside Academy Mixed Media: Violet Bantin, Robertsdale High School

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Coastal Partnership Signed USSA Creates Degree Pathway for Coastal Alabama CC Students

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UNITED STATES SPORTS ACADEMY

Students who finish their associate’s degree from Coastal Alabama Community College (CACC) will now have increased access to finish their bachelor’s degree in a sport-related field at the United States Sports Academy (USSA), thanks to a new agreement between the institutions signed June 25.

This collaboration aims to expand opportunities for CACC student athletes and traditional students. Leaders from both institutions, including USSA President Dr. Steve Condon and Coastal Alabama Community College President Dr. Aaron Milner, convened at the CACC Fairhope campus to finalize the agreement.

“Coastal Alabama Community College enjoys a superb reputation with excellent instructors and a track record of successful transfer students,” Condon said. “A partnership like this will help clear the path for worthy students to earn a USSA degree in sports management, coaching, exercise science, or business administration.”

Mary Beth Lancaster, Dean of Academic Instruction at Coastal Alabama Community College, highlighted the upcoming visits by USSA representatives. “We’re already discussing that some representatives from the USSA will be visiting our different campuses to meet with our studentathlete groups and other interested students,” Lancaster said. “What’s really great is that the USSA is our neighbor in Baldwin County, and this partnership provides a pathway for students who enjoy participating in sports and/or want to have a sports-related career.”

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Eagles Join USCAA Conference The USSA department of athletics is thrilled to announce its acceptance into the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). This significant milestone underscores USSA’s commitment to enhancing the athletic and academic opportunities for its student-athletes.

The USCAA, a national organization that supports small college athletics, aligns perfectly with USSA’s mission to provide a high-quality athletic experience while emphasizing academic excellence. This affiliation provides USSA’s student-athletes with the opportunity to compete at a national level and promotes the values of education through sport.

“We are excited for the opportunity to participate and compete in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association,” USSA President Dr. Steve Condon said. “This organization of approximately 75 small colleges and universities is a perfect fit for us as we start our six new intercollegiate sports. USSA has made the financial and resource commitment to excel, as this association will give our coaches and student-athletes a level of competition nationally. Our team is anticipating a great new wave of traditional students in the fall, so we are preparing our facilities and instruction to represent the best that USSA has to offer.”

USSA’s athletic teams will now participate in various intercollegiate athletic competitions under the USCAA, offering student-athletes a platform to showcase their talents and dedication.

This membership will enhance the competitive experience for our studentathletes and build a sense of community and school spirit.

“We are excited about the opportunities that come with being part of the USCAA,” USSA Associate Director of Athletics Shealynn Miller said.

“This affiliation provides our student-athletes with a broader stage to compete and excel. It also allows us to continue to build our robust athletic programs that mesh well with our strong academic offerings.”

The United States Sports Academy is granted provisional membership for the 2024-2025 academic year and will receive eligibility for All-American awards and post-season play in the 2025-2026 academic year.

U SSA 2024- 2025 So f t b a l l Pl a y e r s

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In Memoriam: USSA Mourns Loss of Longtime Board Chairman Campbell The USSA family mourned 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.”

Campbell was born in Delaware County, Pa., on December 11, 1942, and grew up in Drexel Hill, Pa. He was a star member of the basketball team and student choir (alongside his classmate Jim Croce) at Upper Darby High School. He went on to graduate from Georgetown College, where he played varsity basketball and was the captain of the varsity tennis team and a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He received his juris doctor degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he was a Student Bar Representative and Vice-President of the Law School Bar Association.

Following law school, Campbell served in the US Army Infantry attached to Judge Advocate General’s from 1967 to 1969. He then moved to Mobile, where he served as Chief Assistant District Attorney from 1970 to 1973 before founding the law firm of Sintz, Campbell, Duke & Taylor, where he served as senior partner until 2019. Campbell then joined the firm of Adams & Reese LLP, where he practiced law until his passing. During his long and distinguished legal career, he represented many school boards in and around Mobile and Baldwin County, Ala., and was the lead attorney responsible for creating the school systems for Saraland, Satsuma, and Chickasaw. He was a fierce litigator and was never weary of a difficult legal battle. He appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court in numerous cases regarding constitutional issues pertaining to school desegregation, voting rights, and school prayer. He also served as the Town Attorney for the Town of Dauphin Island, and general counsel for the Alabama School of Math and Science.

Bob never met a stranger, quickly making strong and enduring friendships with many. He was always willing and eager to assist those in need of legal advice, with particular willingness to assist others at his church, Holy Family Catholic Church. However, his greatest passion was his family. He was a dedicated husband and father who loved watching his sons compete in various sports, primarily tennis & swimming.

“His legacy will be the mark he left on the lives of all he touched.” - USSA President Dr. Steve Condon

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Local Students Earn USSA’s First Thorpe and Summitt Scholarships Foley High School’s Aliyah Williams and Citronelle High School’s Brayden Helton are the first recipients of the United States Sports Academy’s inaugural Pat Summitt and Jim Thorpe Scholar Athlete Scholarships.

The scholarships provide full tuition coverage to attend USSA for four years as they pursue their bachelor’s degrees.

The students were selected from a pool of candidates who met a high academic standard and submitted 750-word essays detailing their plan to use their USSA degrees to become leaders in the sports profession. The scholarships are named in honor of Jim Thorpe, considered one of the greatest multi-sport athletes of the 20th century, and Pat Summitt, the legendary University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach.

“I am immensely proud of Brayden Helton and Aliyah Williams, who exemplify not only academic excellence and talent but also a grounded spirit and unwavering dedication to their education,” USSA Dean of Enrollment Services Taylor Rogers said. “Their outstanding academic achievements and exceptional talents truly set them apart. As they continue to excel in their academic pursuits, I am confident they will inspire others and leave a lasting impact on our university community and teams.”

Williams has a 3.9 GPA and is a top student at Foley High School. She will be a member of USSA’s first track and field team. She was presented the Summitt award by USSA’s Director of sports leadership & Olympic medallist Dr. Noemi Zaharia, OLY. “Physical therapy is the driving force that brought me hope during the most challenging time in my life,” Williams said. “I aspire to be a vessel for student-athletes and disabled individuals who struggle both physically and mentally.”

Helton has a 3.8 GPA and is a top student at Citronelle High School. He will a member of USSA’s inaugural baseball team. He was presented the Thorpe award by Sheelby Thorpe, the great-granddaughter of Jim Thorpe.

“My goal is to become a physical therapist or an athletic trainer so that I would be able to help individuals in my community return to the best version of themselves,” Helton said. “I have been able to experience firsthand the impact that physical therapy can have the past few years, not only through my experience but also my friends’ experiences. Watching myself and others heal properly and get to continue playing the sports and doing the activities that they love has made me want to help others in the same way. I believe that if I can make athletes and other individuals experience the joy that I felt whenever I was fully healed and was able to continue playing, then I have greatly impacted the community.”

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United States Sports Academy One Academy Drive | Daphne, AL 36526 1.800.223.2668 • USSA.EDU

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