Newsroom Archives – United States Sports Academy

Veteran Communications Director Eric Mann Promoted to Dean Position at USSA

US Sports Academy2023-02-16T09:51:07-06:00February 16th, 2023|

Veteran communications and marketing director Eric Mann was recently promoted to Dean of Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment at the United States Sports Academy (USSA). Eric Mann, Dean of Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment Mann has worked in the communications department at USSA for more than six years, including the last five years as director of communications and marketing. In his new role, Mann adds supervision of the enrollment and admissions staff and website to his work leading the Academy’s marketing, public relations, and alumni affairs efforts. He also oversees the institution’s graduation, homecoming and Awards of Sport events. Prior to joining the USSA staff in 2016, Mann spent a decade working in the newspaper industry in Alabama. He worked for two years as an investigative journalist for Lagniappe Weekly [...]

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USSA Sending Dr. Bonnie Tiell to Teach Sport Governance Seminar in Bahrain

Eric Mann2023-02-02T13:40:39-06:00February 2nd, 2023|

United States Sports Academy alumna and faculty member Dr. Bonnie Tiell is set to teach a one-week sport governance seminar in the Kingdom of Bahrain as part of that nation’s Bahrain Sport Summit in February. The seminar is meant to provide students in Bahrain with an opportunity to critically evaluate, develop, and practice the skills of governance, marketing, and strategy required in the sports industry. The seminar pulls educational content from three USSA graduate-level courses in sports marketing, sport organization governance, and strategic management. Dr. Bonnie Tiell Tiell is a professor of sports management at Tiffin (Ohio) University. She earned her Doctor of Education degree in sports management and human resources from the Academy. She was also recognized as the institution’s 2014 Alumna of Year. As a member [...]

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Student of the Month: Anthony Fletcher

Eric Mann2023-01-12T13:33:43-06:00January 12th, 2023|

The United States Sports Academy’s January Student of the Month is Anthony Fletcher of Santa Barbara, Calif. Fletcher is member of the United States Air Force Air Force, with seven deployments as an Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operator. He is also an Academy student seeking his bachelor’s degree in sports strength and conditioning and hopes to use his education to propel his goals to work as CSCS and Tactical Fitness and Conditioning Specialist or continue his education and become a Doctor of Physical Therapy after retiring from the military. Fletcher found out about the academy while researching exercise related training opportunities and discovered a bachelor's program that met all of his interests. He is a qualified instructor who has flown over 2,250 combat hours providing critical intelligence to Special Operations Forces and joint battlefield commanders [...]

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Alumnus Dr. Marty Durden Pens Book on ‘Servant Leadership’ Coaching Philosophy

Eric Mann2023-01-11T11:47:25-06:00January 11th, 2023|

Throughout his nearly five decade career in athletic leadership, Dr. Marty Durden has written extensively about the “servant-leader” model of sports coaching. Recently, Durden released his new book, “More than Winning: The Servant-Leader Coach in Contemporary Society” that is available for purchase on Amazon. In the book Durden, a 2016 doctoral graduate from the Academy, shares his insight and research about the transformational influence of servant-leadership coaching. “My research has shown that servant-leadership coaching elicits a higher level of sustained effort,” Durden said. “Young people who view their coach through the lens of trust tend to face the crucible of athletics with a higher degree of determination…The Higher Standard is the antidote to the insipient uptick of unethical incidents in our beloved (coaching) profession.” Durden is a veteran coach whose [...]

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Dr. Fred Cromartie Named Interim VP for Academic Affairs

Eric Mann2023-01-11T11:12:22-06:00January 11th, 2023|

Longtime faculty member and alumnus Dr. Fred Cromartie has been named interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at the United States Sports Academy. Cromartie is also an Academy alumnus, having earned his Doctor of Education and Master of Sports Science degrees here. Cromartie also holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree from Ripon College. “I’ve been around here for a long time and I really love the Academy, its students, and its graduates,” Cromartie said. “I am very excited for a new challenge serving as Vice President for Academic Affairs.” In his 26 years of work at the Academy, Cromartie has held various leadership positions including: Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Chair of Sports Management, Chair of Sports Studies, Chair of Sports [...]

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Dr. Steve Condon Named Third President and CEO at United States Sports Academy

Taylor Rogers2022-12-27T17:48:59-06:00December 27th, 2022|

After a year-long nationwide candidate search, Dr. Steve Condon, a longtime chancellor, university president, collegiate athletics director, coach, professor, and higher education leader, has been selected as the third President and CEO at the United States Sports Academy. Condon has more than four decades of service to higher education institutions and a wealth of experience dedicated to academic and administrative change management through a student-centered philosophy. He most recently served as the Chancellor of Carolina University in Winston Salem, N.C., since 2018. At his previous stops, Condon has demonstrated proven results in fundraising, enrollment, accreditation leadership, and academic program expertise in both online and hybrid programs. “The United States Sports Academy stands alone in the field of sports and higher education,” Condon said. “The Academy has great potential to expand [...]

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USSA Mourns Sudden Loss of College Football Coach and Alumnus Mike Leach

Eric Mann2022-12-13T10:31:49-06:00December 13th, 2022|

The United States Sports Academy is mourning the sudden loss of beloved college football coach and alumnus Mike Leach, who passed away Monday night at age 61 following complications from a heart condition. A longtime college football coach, Leach was in his third season with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, having compiled a 19-17 record in Starkville. He had served as a college football head coach for 21 seasons, with previous stops at Texas Tech (2000-09) and Washington State (2012-19). Leach was credited as being one of the originators of the high-scoring "Air Raid" passing offense and was also well known for his often eccentric responses to questions asked at news conferences. Leach earned his Master of Sports Science degree in sports coaching from the Academy in 1988. A native of [...]

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Academy Trustee Joan Cronan Earns SEC’s Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award

Eric Mann2022-12-09T09:12:00-06:00December 9th, 2022|

University of Tennessee Athletic Director Emeritus and women’s sports trailblazer Joan Cronan earned the Southeastern Conference’s Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award. Cronan, a United States Sports Academy Trustee and Honorary Doctorate recipient, was presented the award during the SEC Championship Game on 3 December 2022 in Atlanta, Ga. The Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award is presented on special occasions to former student-athletes, coaches, graduates or administrators of SEC institutions or the conference office who have maintained a lifetime of interest in college athletics and who, over a significant period of time, have exhibited superior leadership qualities and made a significant impact to the betterment of the mission of the Southeastern Conference. “Having had the opportunity to work with Joan through her work as a member of our Board [...]

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Academy President Re-Appointed to International Commission

Taylor Rogers2022-12-06T13:50:44-06:00December 6th, 2022|

United States Sports Academy President and CEO Dr. T.J. Rosandich has been reconfirmed as a member of the Youth, Education and Culture Commission of the Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs (FICTS), an international organization which promotes the universal idea of culture through sport. Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FICTS promotes and spreads the development of Olympic values and the culture of sport through film and television. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, FICTS has 116 member countries. The mission of the FICTS Youth, Education and Culture Commission is to follow the IOC’s guidelines in spreading Olympic values such as ethics, respect, peace and fair play to young people around the world. FICTS is chaired by Professor Franco Ascani, a member of the IOC Culture and [...]

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Board Member Updates

US Sports Academy2022-11-30T13:18:00-06:00November 30th, 2022|

The Board approved the re-election of Board members Ms. Joan Cronan, Dr. T.J. Rosandich, and Mr. Jack Scharr whose terms were expiring, those on the Executive Committee, and the corporate officers, who are: Dr. T.J. Rosandich, President and CEO until replaced), Mr. Randy Smith, Treasurer, and Dr. Nick Niccolai, Secretary as well ratifying actions of the Executive Committee over the course of the past year. Also, seated as new members of the Board were Mr. Vincent Butta and Mr. Randy Smith. There was one resignation tendered by Mr. Phil Cusa.

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Dr. Vandy Pacetti-Donelson Earns 2022 AECT Presidential Distinguished Service Award

Eric Mann2022-11-29T13:19:02-06:00November 29th, 2022|

United States Sports Academy Dean of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Vandy Pacetti-Donelson was presented with the Association for Educational and Communications Technology (AECT) Presidential Distinguished Service Award at the AECT Annual International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award is given each year for exemplary service to the association and to the field of instructional design. Pacetti-Donelson, who joined the Academy in 2018, is also co-chair of the AECT Bylaws Committee. Tasked with reviewing, revising, and making recommendations to and about the governing documents of the AECT, the committee serves to improve the bylaws, policies, and procedures of the AECT. With the support for her professional service activities, Pacetti-Donelson says she is proud to represent the Academy as part of the distance education community. “When we serve our profession, we are [...]

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Sport Artist Roald Bradstock to Unveil Paris 2024 Olympics Piece Live on Instagram

Eric Mann2022-11-30T09:51:28-06:00November 29th, 2022|

Known as “The Olympic Picasso,” modern artist Roald Bradstock has built a reputation for being a relentless competitor on the track and in his art studio. Bradstock will unveil his latest work “Paris 2.014/Together” in a special live event on his Instagram page, which can be followed here, on Thursday, December 1, at 11 a.m. CST. https://www.instagram.com/roaldbradstock/ The piece commemorates the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, France, and is the fifth in a Bradstock series of Olympic Rings paintings. In addition to commemorating the Paris Games, the piece also recognizes the 25th anniversary of Bradstock’s first Olympic Rings painting,” Struggle for Perfection,” that launched his art career. That piece won the United States Olympic Committee/United States Sports Academy Art Competition in 1999 and was later exhibited at [...]

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