(Erie, PA)
Attention Basketball World and Media Outlets:
We are very excited in announcing the start of a new Private High School and Prep Program in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a Canadian twist.
North American Academy (NAA) has been established as an extension the already fully accredited Family First Academy (FFA), in Erie, Pennsylvania. FFA has been in existence since 1986 and has students from over 10 countries.
It will focus on the academic and athletic development of young men who will one day be Elite student- athletes at the University level. NAA offers a high quality of educational and sport specific training and support. NAA has excellent housing, scholastics and a world class athletic complex containing a comprehensive fitness centre, four indoor and eight outdoor courts. The indoor hardwood floors feature NBA style courts with glass backboards and break away rims.
NAA also offers high quality academics with small class sizes, dedicated faculty and advanced student services to fully prepare our student- athletes for university. The relatively new housing centre features air-conditioned rooms with full showers, laundry and a large student lounge. The dining centre seats up to 400 students and includes a nutritious all- you- can- eat menu.
The Academy, which has an enrollment approx. 280 students from K-12, will see over 40 new students added for the 2009-2010 academic year. Students enjoy the benefit of tutoring, study halls, as well as SAT prep classes.
Our mission statement is to afford our student- athletes an opportunity to graduate, qualify and be well prepared for post- secondary education and athletics.
With strong emphasis on discipline, value based academics and life skills development, NAA seeks to be a very viable option for promising student- athletes in Canada and all over the world.
This new, Elite High School program will be lead by veteran Coach Ro Russell of Grassroots Canada Elite. He brings over 17 years of winning credentials at the high school, AAU and International levels. He has assisted in the development and placement of over 400 former players to numerous Schools at the NCAA D1/D2 CIS, OCA, and JUCO levels. Coach Russell, who most recently served as the Head Coach of Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada will serve as the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Coach of the NAA National Elite Team. He also guided his 2008 Elite AAU team to a major championship in Vegas last July as they were the first Canadian team ever to win the prestigious event.
Alongside him will be Nate B. Philippe who will be the Head Coach of the NAA Prep Team. He most recently was the Head Coach of 2009 OFSAA 4A Quarter-Finalists, West Hill Collegiate Institute, and an Assistant with Grassroots Canada Elite. He also assisted with the Centennial College Men’s Basketball team this past season.
Nick Thomas will be serving as Head Coach of the NAA Varsity Team. He is currently an Assistant Coach with Grassroots Canada Elite and former Head Coach of Don Bosco Catholic S.S. and 2007 OFSAA 3A Qualifiers, Bishop Morocco. He was also an Assistant Coach with the Centennial College Colts this past season.
This All-Canadian Coaching staff will also complimented by various graduate assistants, interns, and managers from the US and Canada.
Each head coach brings a strong coaching resume as well as solid backgrounds as successful players at the high school and collegiate levels.
Rounding out the NAA team is Wells Davis (Marketing Director), Anthony Otto (Director of Scouting), Shane Allen (Director of Operations) and Brian Ferguson (Media Relations Director).
NAA Marketing Director will be Wells Davis who brings 15 yrs of business savvy and successful coaching experience to the program. He has won several OBA championships and is a veteran marketing executive.
The Director of Scouting will be Anthony Otto. He possesses a very keen eye for talent and heads up recruitment and player development.
Shane Allen, will oversee the program as the Director of Operation and Brian Ferguson will act as PR and Media Relations Director.
NAA student-athletes will include Elite Canadian, American and International players of a high level of ability and character. Our goal will be to make this a Top 10 program nationally and provide high level academics, training, coaching, exposure, and competition for all of our players. The fact our program will feature numerous Top 50 and Top 100 players of high academic and moral standing will definitely help reach that goal.
NAA will have a national schedule and compete at the highest level in high school basketball.
We are very excited about this opportunity and look to be very successful right away.
For more info on NAA its upcoming season, call Ro Russell, (Head Coach-National Team, (416)567- 4770, rorussell@hotmail.com), Brian Ferguson, (Media Relations Director (814)504-5560) or Nate B. Philippe (Head Coach-Prep Team, (416)356-6283, nbphilippe@hotmail.com).
Further information is also available on our program’s website: www.naacademy.org and the school site: www.familyfirstacademy.org.
Sincere Thanks,
North American Academy
“Elite Academics, Training, Exposure, and Competition”
Last edited by Coach Philippe on Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:27 pm; edited 3 times in total