The Network - Spring 2025

THE NETWORK UNITED STATES SPORTS ACADEMY

Spring 2025

LADY EAGLES BUILDING A LEGACY AT USSA

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Board of Trustees Dr. Nick Niccolai Chair Mobile, AL Vincent Butta Lloyd Harbor, NY Dr. Steve Condon Daphne, AL Joan Cronan Knoxville, TN Joe Durant Pensacola Beach, FL Ann Meyers Drysdale Huntington Beach, CA Dr. China Jude Highlands Ranch, CO Karen Hong Fairhope, AL

Tim Letzring Orlando, FL Dr. Lee A. McElroy Troy, NY

3

From The Desk of the President

4-5

“After the Tassel” - Garrett Williamson

6-7

Awards of Sport 2024

8-10

Cover Story: Softball Builds A Legacy

Dr. T. J. Rosandich Fairhope, AL

11

Art Meets Athletics

Jack Scharr St. Louis, MO

12

Big Things Happening!

Randy Smith Orange Beach, AL

13

Fall 2024 Career Fair

Dr. Reggie Sykes Mobile, AL

14

Coach’s Corner: Kelli Trautmann

15

New Board Member: Joe Durant

Joseph Szlavik Washington D.C. Tina Xavie Beverly Hills, CA Walter Wukasch Austin, TX

USSA Mission 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.

Editorial Staff Design & Direction: Sophie Brooks Managing Editor: Eric Mann Copy Editor: Kimiko Lumsden Contributing Writer: Shealynn Miller Contributing Writer: George Minoso Photos by: Jon Hauge, Tony Thagard & Sophie Brooks

From The Desk of the President Thirty years ago, a young man decided to give up his pro football career after one year to pursue professional wrestling. His grandfather and father had performed as wrestlers without much fame or fortune. He had won a national championship with the Miami Hurricanes in 1991, but in 1995, he suffered a career ending back injury. His football career was over.

President Steve Condon, Ph.D.

In 1996, he debuted in the USWA, an obscure wrestling organization, under the ring name of “Flex Kavana.” Within a year, he was a member of the WWF (World Wrestling Federation) working under the name of Rocky Malvia. Soon, WWF CEO Vince McMahon advised him to develop a brand - something he could make famous and be renowned for. He was told to adopt tag lines and reinvent himself to remain fresh, state of the art, and in demand in his profession by the public. Several other wrestling pros were cited as brands. Malvia would need to create a brand that everyone acknowledged and then be the product that everyone craved. This brand would make him world famous.

That day, Dwayne Johnson became “The Rock.” He has since reinvented himself several times.

He is “The Peoples Champion.” His catch phrases, nicknames, and performance in the ring make him the most popular sports entertainment person over the past 25 years. He has parlayed his brand into 26 movies, a pro football league ownership, and an estimated worth of $841 million. Here are just a few of his “catch phrases” and taglines that he has licensed over the past 29 years: “Team Corporate” “Rock Nation” “The Nation” “Roody Poo” “Jabroni” “If you smell what the Rock is cooking” “The Samoan Sensation” “The Blue Chipper” “The Brahma Bull” “The Great One” “Know Your Role” “Team Bring It” “The Peoples Elbow” “Rock Bottom” “It does not matter what you think” “The Millions and Millions” “The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment Today” Johnson obtained ownership of all these slogans and service marks, nicknames, caricatures, voice signatures, gestures, routines, costumes or parts of costumes, accessories, and other related items.

This spring, USSA is examining its brand; 52 years in the making. We are looking into names, acronyms, logos, identities, and all representations of the USSA. Many have told us that we need to put the word “university” in our name and rebrand for the next 50 years. We are weighing entries with an eye on growth and advancement. Our product must remain special and elite for those pursuing sports passions and dreams. It is time to reinvent.

We seek your help with these weighty decisions. We are hungry to reenter the market that we once dominated. We are putting together the people, programs, and products needed to advance our mission. We seek the brand that will make us the “most electrifying university in sport leadership today.”

We hope you enjoy this Network magazine. This is a great place to live… a great place to work… and the best in sports higher education…

Happy New Year!

3

AFTER THE TASSEL: A Nontraditional Path to Success

By Garrett Williamson, C/O 1997, MSS, ACSM Health Fitness Instructor, Owner of Personal Edge Fitness If there’s one word that defines why I chose the United States Sports Academy for my master’s degree, it’s nontraditional. That same spirit not only shaped my choice of graduate studies but also set the foundation for a career defined by innovation and success.

Like many Academy students, my journey began in athletics. I was a pole vaulter at the University of Georgia and a gymnastics coach at a nearby facility in Commerce. Pole vaulting sparked my love for athletics, but coaching ignited my passion. Coaching gymnastics and personal training in Athens fueled a deep interest in fitness, leading me to switch my major to Exercise Physiology.

At the time, most exercise physiologists I knew either pursued academia or transitioned into pharmaceutical sales. Neither path felt right to me. I recognized the immense potential in the multibillion-dollar fitness industry and believed there had to be a sustainable career path within it. Yet, traditional education seemed to steer graduates down well-worn paths with predictable outcomes. I had my degree, but I didn’t have my direction. I needed an institution that understood how to think differently.

A Unique Introduction to the Academy My relationship with the Academy began long before I enrolled. In high school, I attended several Academy award ceremonies, meeting celebrated artists like Hans Erni and Blair Buswell and sports legends such as Greg Louganis, Tracy Caulkins, and Roy Jones Jr. But the defining moment for me was meeting the Father of Fitness, Dr. Kenneth Cooper.

After graduating from Georgia, I knew I wanted a hands-on, career-focused education.

I scheduled a meeting with Dr. Frank Stanek, then Dean of the Academy. It was an unconventional move—a recent graduate interviewing the dean of a graduate school. But Dr. Stanek not only agreed to meet with me, he invited me to lunch.

Over that lunch, I explained my passion for fitness and my uncertainty about the specific career path I wanted to pursue. I asked if it was possible to incorporate an internship into my studies to gain practical, real-world experience. Dr. Stanek smiled and said, “I can do you one better. You can actually complete not one, but two mentorships, allowing you to work full-time for six months out of your two-year degree.”

Not stopping there, I asked about the possibility of interning at the Cooper Aerobics Research Facility, the world’s largest fitness research center. Again, Dr. Stanek surprised me: “I can do you one better. Would you like to meet Dr. Cooper?” Two weeks later, before I had even enrolled, I was shaking hands with Dr. Kenneth Cooper himself.

4

Learning Beyond the Classroom At the Academy, I had the privilege of working with pioneers like Dr. Leon Garrett, who developed the STEP test (a precursor to the cardiovascular stress test), and Dr. George Modry, who mentored me during my first mentorship at Siegfried Health Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Through these mentorships, I gained not only technical expertise but also exposure to professionals who had built lifelong careers in fitness. I continued personal training on the side, never realizing at the time that it would become my future career. These experiences gave me not just knowledge but a blueprint for success.

Building Personal Edge Fitness Armed with my education and mentorship experience, I returned to my hometown and launched my career. I combined the programming knowledge I gained at the Academy with the business acumen I had learned during my mentorships. Within a short time, I had built the largest client list of any personal trainer in the state.

In 2000, I founded Personal Edge Fitness. By focusing on hiring highly qualified trainers—those with at least a bachelor’s degree, and often graduate and postgraduate qualifications—we quickly built a reputation for excellence. Within two years, I had doubled the size of my first facility. In 2015, we opened what is now the largest personal training facility in the Southeast, followed by a satellite location in Daphne, Alabama.

Today, Personal Edge Fitness serves as the exclusive operations partner for Corporate Edge Wellness. Our results speak for themselves: metrics for client retention, gross revenue, training sessions, and staff tenure consistently exceed three times the national average.

The Academy’s Impact It’s no mystery why Personal Edge Fitness thrives. It all began with a choice—a choice to pursue a nontraditional education at an institution brave enough to think outside the box.

That’s why I’m thrilled about the Academy’s recent expansion into undergraduate studies. Now, students will have the opportunity to pursue their passion for fitness, coaching, and athletic careers from day one. At Personal Edge Fitness, we’ve had a 20-year internship program, and we eagerly look forward to welcoming Academy undergraduate students into our program in the coming years.

Looking Ahead Twenty-five years later, I’m incredibly proud to be associated with the United States Sports Academy. It wasn’t just a place to earn a degree—it was a place to build a career, to innovate, and to create something lasting.

I remain deeply grateful to the Academy for its nontraditional approach and am excited to continue our partnership for many years to come.

5

2024 AWARDS OF SPORT Since 1984, USSA has conducted its Awards of Sport program, which annually honors the greatest achievements in the field of sport, on and off the field of play. The awards program includes a Sport Artist of the Year award, given annually to an individual who captures the spirit and life of sport so that future generations can relive the drama of today’s competition. The recipient may use a variety of art media including paint, sculpture, or mixed media to depict the breadth and scope of both the agony and the ecstasy of sport.

Alumnus of the Year: Garrett Williamson Fitness entrepreneur, triathlete, and civic-minded leader Garrett Williamson is the recipient of USSA’s 2024 Alumnus of the Year. The award is given to the USSA graduate who best personifies the university’s values in a given year.

Williamson is the owner of Personal Edge Fitness on the Alabama Gulf Coast (Mobile and Eastern Shore). With the most qualified staff in the southeast, Personal Edge offers personal training in all facets of fitness and sport through in person, online, in home and corporate settings. In August of 2024 Personal Edge Fitness was named the exclusive provider of wellness programs for Corporate Edge Wellness. He also hosts a podcast “Personal Edge Fitness,” where he dispels myths about health, fitness, and wellness.

In 2010, Williamson re-entered the competitive athletic field in Sprint Triathlon. In August of that year, he qualified for TEAM USA and his first World Championships in Beijing, China. In Beijing, he finished 15th in the world and was the top American finisher in his division. Since 2011 he has competed for Team USA in 10 world championships in Sprint Triathlon, Aquabike and Aquathlon. Williamson just returned from competing in his 11th World Championships representing TEAM USA, in Australia, August 2024.

Born in Mobile, Williamson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia where he was a pole-vaulter on the varsity track team.

Garrett went on to complete his master’s degree in Exercise Science (M.S.S) at USSA. While at the Academy, Garrett interned at the Siegfried health center at St. Johns Medical facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas.

6

Sport Artist of the Year: Richard Sullivan Painter Richard Sullivan is the recipient of USSA’s prestigious 2024 Sport Artist of the Year Award. The award, which celebrates outstanding contributions to the world of sports through visual art, honors Sullivan’s ability to capture the passion, energy, and spirit of sports in his unique and evocative works.

Sullivan received the award on the USSA campus on November 14, 2024, at the university’s annual Awards of Sport event. Several of his watercolor and oil pieces are now on public display at the American Sport Art Museum & Archives on the USSA campus, and one piece will become a permanent part of the art collection.

Sullivan’s passion for creating art and playing sports began when he was just a child. A former professional baseball player, Sullivan uses watercolor and oil paints to capture sports figures, equestrian scenes, and abstracts in his studio in Louisville, Kentucky.

“From the moment I picked up a pencil, I was drawing the world around me,” Sullivan said.

“I was also instinctively attracted to baseball and from the moment I picked up a ball, the sport captivated me for 26 years.”

Baseball and art gave Sullivan a foundation and structure at an early age that he struggled to find at home or at school. Playing baseball and creating art allowed the artist to feel in control, and gave him a boost of confidence, courage, freedom, and external validation that he didn’t feel otherwise.

Sullivan’s passion for both baseball and art led him to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he received a full athletic scholarship to the only art school in the country with a sports program. In 2008, Sullivan’s junior year of college, he was drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Braves as a left-handed pitcher.

After six years in the minor leagues, Sullivan picked up his paint brush again.

Now, his clients include the Atlanta Braves, Woodford Reserve, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Nationals, the Washington Post, Philadelphia Phillies, SEC Conference, Topps trading cards, Kentucky Derby Festival, National Baseball Hall of Fame, and hundreds of collectors of original art and commissions.

7

BUILDING A LEGACY: The Inaugural USSA Eagles Softball Team By: Shealynn Miller In January 2024, the United States Sports Academy hired Head Softball Coach Morgan Cinello to build its inaugural Eagles softball program. This marked the beginning of a journey that would not only shape a competitive team but also develop leaders in academics, athletics, and the community.

A Team with Purpose After a successful recruiting cycle, the inaugural Eagles softball team consists of 21 players, one graduate assistant, and one team manager. Coach Cinello’s vision centers on fostering a program where athletes excel not just in competition but as well-rounded individuals contributing to their community and leading in the classroom.

This inaugural team, often referred to as Team 1, has developed foundational pillars for the program that will guide future teams and establish a lasting legacy, summed up as: •

Blue Collar Hustle: No One Out Works Us

•

Shared Dedication: We Invest In Each Other

•

Mindset Matters: Discipline In All That We Do

•

Together We Rise: We Over Me

“The most important aspect of building the culture for USSA softball has been ensuring our athletes know that we, as coaches, are here—through the thick and thin, the highs and lows. They are loved, heard, and seen, no matter their athletic successes or failures,” said Coach Cinello. “A lasting culture cannot exist if players don’t believe you care for them on a personal level. It has enriched our lives as coaches to pour into our softball girls, and in turn, they pour right back into us. The bond we share is indescribable, and it’s something I hope will stay with them for life. An ‘Attitude of Gratitude,’ being ‘Selfless Servants,’ and spreading joy through affirmations—giving joy to others is the most rewarding thing we can do in life.”

8

Academic Excellence The Eagles have already demonstrated not only their commitment to each other but to academic achievement. During the Fall 2024 semester, the team earned the highest GPA among USSA athletic programs, achieving an impressive 3.71 average. Three players earned perfect 4.0 GPAs, while five others achieved GPAs of 3.9 or higher. This milestone reflects the team’s dedication to balancing the demands of academics and athletics.

Community Involvement USSA softball has quickly become a positive presence in Baldwin County. Within the first semester, the team has volunteered at several community events, including assisting with the Turkey Trot, supporting the Miracle League, and helping oyster farmers at the Admiral Shellfish Company in Fort Morgan. These efforts underscore the program’s mission to integrate into the local community and make a meaningful impact.

Fundraising and Camps The Eagles have been proactive in raising funds to support their program, bringing in a total of $20,000 in the fall semester. A significant portion of this, $14,500, was raised during their inaugural golf outing at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores. Additionally, the team hosted a summer and winter camp, which will further engage aspiring young athletes and promote the program.

The Inaugural Season The upcoming 2025 season marks the team’s first foray into competition. The Eagles will compete against NAIA and other competitive regional teams. USSA Softball will play a strong schedule out of the gate, including five preseason ranked teams: •

Georgia Gwinnett (#9)

•

William Carey (#14)

•

Mobile (#20)

•

LSU-Alexandria (#21)

•

Middle Georgia State (#23)

Their first home game in program history will be held on February 18th against William Carey at the Daphne Sports Complex. This event is eagerly anticipated and will be a significant milestone for the program.

9

Cover and article photos by Mike Montgomery

“As we look ahead to the upcoming season, I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to come together as a family and give our best. The schedule we’ve put together is tough, but it reflects our commitment to push ourselves to new heights. We’ve dedicated countless hours of hard work this fall, and I’m eager to see that effort pay off.

Challenges like these are what make us stronger and help us grow throughout our athletic journey. I have full confidence that our team is ready to rise to the challenge and prove what we’re capable of!” said Coach Cinello.

Looking Ahead With three commits already secured for the 2025-2026 school year, the program is poised for continued growth. As the USSA Eagles softball team prepares for its inaugural season, they embody the values of dedication, community involvement, and academic excellence. With strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to their goals, the Eagles are ready to take flight.

10

Art Meets Athletics The 2019 Sport Artist of the Year Steven Lester reconnected with USSA in 2024 with two major projects showcasing his knack for painting with a dynamic focus to create action sports themes with emotional depth.

Lester’s “Unstoppable” painting series exhibit – on display at USSA through Spring 2025 - showcases the powerful intersection of art, sports, and the drive of Olympic athletes.

The exhibit tells the improbable stories of grit and resilience through contemporary narrative painting. The pieces in the series depict some of the most inspirational stories from the Modern Olympic Games. To fully appreciate the ever-changing yet seemingly timeless human drama of Olympic sports, Lester paints a few representative moments that personify the spirit of the games. Lester depicts notable Olympians like Wilma Rudolph, Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, and Alice Coachman, and pairs them with contemporary stories of Olympism with Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Brody Malone, and Kerri Strug.

Known for his dynamic and energetic style, Lester captures the essence of athleticism, perseverance, and the human spirit through vibrant and bold compositions. The exhibit emphasizes the relentless drive that athletes embody in their pursuits, portraying their strength, determination, and the unyielding will to succeed. Through his expressive use of color and form, Lester’s work invites viewers to reflect on the mental and physical resilience that is a hallmark of both individual and team sports.

Lester also created a unique portrait of longtime University of Tennessee athletics director Joan Cronan and the late Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt. The original painting is on display at the entrance to the Cronan-Summitt School of Sport Business on the USSA campus. The piece stands as a powerful testament to their unparalleled impact on the field of women’s NCAA Athletics.

Their unwavering determination and visionary leadership have strengthened the University of Tennessee and reshaped the landscape of women’s sports. These two legendary women embody passion and excellence, inspiring generations of athletes to push boundaries and chase their dreams.

11

BIG THINGS HAPPENING! NEW TECHNOLOGY & NOTEWOR THY GUEST VISITS!

SKILLCOURT The university is on the cutting edge of sports technology with the introduction of the Skillcourt system to campus. Skillcourt is a state-of-the-art diagnostic and training platform that uses a 3D depth camera and LIDAR technology to test and train visual, cognitive, and motor skills through targeted exercises. USSA is the only American university outside of UCLA that has the Germanfounded technology on campus.

“Having the Skillcourt system on our campus shows that USSA is a leader in sports technology and innovation,” USSA Director of International Sport Business Development and assistant professor Dr. Cristian Zaharia, OLY, said. “This technology will help our student-athletes be better prepared for the rigors of competition, and it will also assist our faculty in their academic research. It’s also a good thing for community groups such as police and fire departments to use as they train their officers to be better prepared for emergencies.”

Special Guests Visit USSA Classrooms As USSA welcomed hundreds of new undergraduate students to campus in 2024, it opened doors for exciting guest lecturers in several of its classes.

A USSA trustee, Joan Cronan served as the women’s athletics director at Tennessee for 29 years until 2012. During her tenure, Tennessee expanded women’s varsity sports from seven to 11, the Lady Vols earned 10 NCAA titles and 24 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament Championships and annual giving to support women’s athletics increased to $2 million per year. She prioritized academics with student-athletes, leading an initiative that stressed class attendance and engagement. As a result, female studentathletes earned an average 93 percent Graduation Success Rate.

Cronan also started a community service element that emphasized civic responsibility as part of the university athletic experience.

Also a USSA trustee, Tina Xavie is a seasoned marketing executive with more than a decade of experience in the entertainment industry. The owner of Xavie Agency, she represents a prestigious portfolio of clients including Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Range Rover, and Pagani and entertainment icons like Tab Hunter and James Hunt. She has also worked on IP collaborations with brands such as Gucci, Mattel, Apple TV as well as sports legends and historical icons.

12

DEBUT CAREER FAIR By: George Minoso November 15, 2024, marked a significant milestone for USSA as the university hosted the first Career Day in its history.

The university welcomed more than 30 leading organizations—from national sports clubs to esteemed local marketing firms—all eager to tap into the rich potential of USSA’s diverse student body.

The event was strategically organized with 20 organizations positioned upstairs and 10 downstairs, ensuring a thorough and fruitful interaction for all attendees.

USSA’s Career Center prides itself on offering a comprehensive suite of career development services. These include detailed resume critiques, expert-led mock interviews, and access to innovative resources like Career Shift.

The event buzzed with energy as students engaged in meaningful conversations. The professionalism and preparedness of USSA students stood out, reflecting the extensive preparation provided by faculty throughout the Fall Semester.

Feedback from this inaugural event was exceptionally positive, with employers lauding the caliber of candidates and the seamless organization of the event. Students valued the direct access to industry insiders and the practical experience gained from real-world interactions.

This successful debut sets the foundation for future Career Days and the commitment of USSA’s Career Center to equip students with the necessary skills and confidence to navigate today’s competitive job market effectively. The Career Center is driven to continually enhance services, ensuring that students are not only prepared to meet the challenges of their careers but also to excel in them.

Reflecting on this landmark day, USSA plans to refine Career Center offerings, ever committed to providing unparalleled career support to students in sports fields and beyond.

13

COACH’S CORNER

By Kelli Trautmann, USSA Volleyball Coach

Sport Played: Volleyball for 4 years at UW-Whitewater and a thrower on the track and field team my first 2 years.

Education: B.S. in Education with a focus on Physical Education, Health, and Recreation from UW-Whitewater, and MEd in Athletic/Activities Administration from William Woods University.

Favorite Sport to Watch: Football and I do love the Steelers!

Coaching Profile: I started coaching freshman girls’ basketball while I was in college. I played volleyball at UW-Whitewater and was able to get a job that worked around my studies and as an athlete.

I earned my degree in Health, Human Performance and Recreation with a minor in Athletic Coaching, so I knew getting my foot in the door while I was in college would help with work experience. Even though volleyball was my favorite I also enjoyed coaching basketball and track. After a few years coaching high school, I had a wonderful opportunity to be an assistant volleyball and track coach at Millsaps College. Little did I know that would be the start of my college coaching journey. I have experience coaching at smaller liberal arts colleges before coming to United States Sports Academy.

How did I get into Coaching?

Growing up I was always around sports and just found immense joy just playing. Both of my parents were in education and coaches, so I was always around it and enjoyed the competition. I would say both of my parents started my love for this profession. Another volleyball coach I had was Anna Maass, who I felt made an impact, respected her passion and intensity, and that was another reason I was interested in this profession. I saw this line of work rewarding and an opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s lives and another way to keep competing.

Why United States Sports Academy?

For me it was being able to work at a college that provides affordable quality education and education that helps with business and sport related careers. The people were friendly and welcoming, which that sense of community feeling will help have a positive impact on the students. I am honored that I will be able to help start a volleyball program at United States Sports Academy. I want to continue learning and making a difference for student-athletes and help provide them with an opportunity to have a memorable college experience as a student and even as a volleyball player. Being a student-athlete can provide many skills that will help the athletes carry into their daily lives and in the work force, and I would like to help make a difference any way that I can.

14

NEW USSA BOARD MEMBER: JOE DURANT Longtime professional golfer and Pensacola, Fla., native Joe Durant recently joined USSA’s Board of Trustees. Durant is an active player on the PGA Tour Champions and won the 2024 Cologuard Classic tournament in Tuscon, Ariz.

Durant’s connection to USSA stems from his collegiate golf days, when he was recruited to Huntingdon College by current USSA president Dr. Steve Condon, who was the Hawks’ men’s golf coach at the time.

“I was honored when Dr. Condon asked me to join the board at USSA,” Durant said. “I’ve known him since 1980, and he’s always had great success in everything he’s done. It’s exciting to be part of what he and the USSA team are doing now.”

Durant turned professional in 1987 and won four times on the PGA Tour including the 2001 Bob Hope Classic, where he scored a 36-under 324, a tournament record which still stands today. He also has experience serving on boards, including some time on the PGA Board.

“I want to see what I can add to what USSA already does so well, and where I may be able to help it improve,” Durant said. “I’ve been on all sides of the sport industry on the course, at the leadership level and behind the scenes on the business side. It’s important that everyone knows that sport is a multifaceted industry and take a holistic approach to things. I want to do what I can to protect and teach our USSA family.”

Durant holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Huntingdon College, where he was a three-time NAIA AllAmerican and won the 1987 NAIA National Championship.

15

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