Meet the Champions
With the number of great athletes and role models that pass through IMG Academies, it’s important to share their journey with all of our students. The obstacles and adversity encounters that that these athletes endure and must overcome to realize their successes are lessons that our students can learn from and gain insight to help them in their own journey.
Through “Meet the Champion,” our students hear what it takes to get to the top level from athletes who have experienced what they are currently going through. Hearing these stories of each athlete's path to greatness gives our students insight within a forum that cannot be duplicated.
So far we have done two installments of the "Meet the Champion" night and each has been extremely successful. The first was with NBTA pro, Max Mirnyi, and the second was with former NBTA student and current coach, Brad Gilbert.
Videos
Max Mirnyi
Part 1 II Part 2 II Part 3 II Part 4 II
Nicknamed "The Beast", Max has won over $8 Million in prize money, resided in the top 50 tennis players in the world for seven consecutive years, won seven Grand Slam doubles titles and currently serves as a Good Will Ambassador to the United Nations in Belarus.
Brad Gilbert
Part 1 II Part 2 II
Brad is the former coach of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray. As a player, he won the bronze medal in Men's Singles at the 1988 Olympics, he was ranked #4 in the world, won 20 titles, and has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame. He is a Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy alum and is currently a guest coach here!
Dick Vitale
Part 1 II Part 2 II Part 3 II Part 4 II Part 5 II Part 6
Dick Vitale is one of the most well-known sports broadcasters throughout the world. He has been on ESPN since 1979 and was recently inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Vitale is also a former basketball coach both collegiately and professionally and is one of the most sought after speakers anywhere.