Veteran coach, youth-development leader and former law-enforcement professional will lead DME Academy’s new Cheer Sports program
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., August 1, 2026 — DME Academy today announced the hiring of Jerry Sasser as Director of Cheer Sports and Campus Safety, bringing more than 35 years of cheerleading, coaching, leadership and public-safety experience to the Academy.
In his new role, Sasser will lead the development and launch of DME Academy Cheer Sports, a comprehensive program offering sideline cheer, competitive cheer, tumbling, stunting, skills instruction, camps, clinics and college-preparation opportunities. He will also support campus safety initiatives across DME Academy.
“Jerry brings a rare combination of competitive experience, youth mentorship, program leadership and public-safety expertise,” said Seth Brown, CEO of DME Academy. “He understands that developing successful athletes requires more than teaching routines and technical skills. It requires building confidence, discipline, accountability and trust. Jerry’s experience and leadership make him the right person to establish that culture from the beginning.”
Sasser has served as a high school and college cheerleader, high school and college coach, gymnastics and tumbling instructor, competitive cheer coach, cheer judge, program director and all-star gym owner. His industry experience also includes work with the Universal Cheerleaders Association, National Cheerleaders Association and TCA.
His international experience includes founding a cheer federation in Puerto Rico in 2005 and helping establish competitive cheerleading opportunities throughout the region. That foundation contributed to the growth of the sport and preceded Puerto Rico’s later success in earning an International Cheer Union World Championship gold medal in Orlando.
“I am honored to join DME Academy and help build a Cheer Sports program that develops the complete athlete,” Sasser said. “Our responsibility is not only to teach athletes how to stunt, tumble, perform and compete. It is to help them become confident teammates, disciplined students, capable leaders and prepared young adults. DME provides the environment and resources to make that possible.”
In addition to his cheerleading background, Sasser brings 12 years of prior law-enforcement experience across three Florida agencies: the Ocala Police Department, Port Orange Police Department and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. His service included six years as a School Resource Deputy with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. He has also served as a Florida School Guardian and public-safety leader, with training in threat assessment, active-shooter response, community policing and criminal investigations.
“Jerry’s background strengthens two important areas of our campus,” Brown said. “He will lead an ambitious new athletic program while also helping us maintain a safe, structured and supportive environment for every student-athlete.”
Sasser’s broader leadership experience includes youth sports programming, camp direction, community outreach, coach development, athlete development, public speaking and organizational leadership. He has received recognition as an All-American athlete, national championship athlete, Head Instructor of the Year and for his service in law enforcement and the community.
As Director of Cheer Sports, Sasser will oversee program development, coaching standards, athlete evaluations, training pathways, community outreach and the integration of Cheer Sports into the larger DME Academy experience.
DME Academy Cheer Sports will initially serve middle and high school athletes through sideline and competitive cheer, private instruction, tumbling, camps, clinics and community-based training opportunities.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a nationally recognized sports academy located in Daytona Beach, Florida. DME provides student-athletes with a comprehensive development experience that integrates rigorous academics, elite athletic training, personal development and a supportive campus community. Through its Culture of Excellence, DME Academy prepares student-athletes to win their future in college, competition and life.
Media Contact:
Gregory Birgfeld
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
greg.birgfeld@dmeacademy.com
510-989-5496
www.dmeacademy.com
New program will offer sideline cheer, competitive cheer, skills training and future-focused development for middle and high school athletes
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., August 1, 2026 – DME Academy today announced the launch of DME Academy Cheer Sports, a new program designed to provide middle and high school athletes with a comprehensive pathway for development in cheerleading, academics, leadership and life.
Built as part of the broader DME Academy student-athlete experience, Cheer Sports will combine technical instruction, athletic performance training, academic support and personal development within one connected program. Athletes will have opportunities to participate in sideline cheer, competitive cheer, tumbling, stunting, private instruction, camps, clinics and college-preparation programming.
“DME Academy Cheer Sports represents an important expansion of our mission to help student-athletes discover their potential, develop their abilities, maximize their opportunities and become who they are capable of becoming,” said Seth Brown, CEO of DME Academy. “We are building a program that will challenge athletes to perform at a high level while also developing the discipline, confidence, leadership and character that will serve them well beyond competition.”
The program will provide opportunities for both DME Academy students and athletes from the surrounding community. Boarding and commuter student-athletes enrolled at DME Academy will be able to connect their cheer training with the Academy’s academic, residential, athletic-performance and student-life resources. Community athletes will also be able to participate through teams, private lessons, clinics, camps, open gyms and other training opportunities.
DME Academy Cheer Sports will initially include two primary pathways:
Sideline Cheer will provide athletes with authentic game-day experience supporting DME Academy athletic teams. Participants will train in motions, cheers, chants, jumps, formations, dance, stunting, tumbling and crowd engagement while helping build school spirit and campus community.
Competitive Cheer will offer progressive, year-round training in stunts, tumbling, jumps, motions, dance, pyramids and routine performance. Teams will prepare for appropriate local, regional and national competition opportunities based on athlete readiness and program development.
The program will also emphasize strength and conditioning, flexibility, injury-prevention education, goal setting, leadership development, college recruiting guidance and character development.
“Competition will be an important part of the experience, but it will not be the only measure of success,” Brown said. “We want athletes to leave this program better prepared as competitors, students, teammates and young adults.”
DME Academy Cheer Sports will serve middle school and high school athletes, with future opportunities for expansion. Additional information regarding evaluations, training schedules, camps, clinics and program registration will be announced soon.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a nationally recognized sports academy located in Daytona Beach, Florida. DME provides student-athletes with comprehensive development experience that integrates rigorous academics, elite athletic training, personal development and a supportive campus community. Through its Culture of Excellence, DME Academy prepares student-athletes to win their future in college, competition and life.
Media Contact:
Gregory Birgfeld
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
greg.birgfeld@dmeacademy.com
510-989-5496
www.dmeacademy.com
Five countries. One team. One vision.
When the final whistle blew in Las Vegas, the DME Academy volleyball team had just won the Premier Division at the Under Armour 18U National Championships. The scoreline mattered. The trophy mattered. But what I saw in those final moments was something bigger: proof that five girls from different continents could learn to play together, trust each other under the worst pressure, and execute at the highest level.
“It’s a nice accomplishment for a great group of kids and families,” reflected Coach Alvaro Sanchez on the championship run. “But it also shows our intention to put together a competitive program year after year. It shows seriousness of the program to attract like-minded athletes with similar goals.”
That seriousness didn’t start in Las Vegas. It started in the gym. Every day. Long before nationals.
Building Something From Scratch
“There have been challenges bringing girls from all over the world to learn to play one way,” continued Coach Alvaro. “In the fall we saw some success, but it wasn’t consistent. In April, I remember remarking about wishing we had this chemistry in the fall.”
Chemistry doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when players live together, train together, study together, and learn each other’s language on and off the court. It happens in the gym during practice, in the dining hall at lunch, and in the dorm rooms at night. It happens because the environment around them is built to reinforce one thing: you belong here, you’re being developed here, and your growth extends far beyond the sport.
I identified culture keepers who held the group together: Juanita, Carley, Keri, and Mariana. With three of them graduating, the strength of what they’d built in that group became critical. There was no meltdown. There was no collapse. There was just the next player ready to step in.
“The team had constant lineup changes and lent themselves to a plug and play adaptability that was admirable,” continued coach Sanchez. “No matter who was in, they found ways to be productive.”
That adaptability revealed itself early in the tournament. Going into Las Vegas, my goal was simple but demanding; exhibit competitive spirit, give best effort and focus at all times, celebrate each other. These aren’t complicated things. They’re hard things. Especially when you haven’t played tournaments together since fall, especially when you’re facing teams that may have trained year-round as a unit, and especially when your captain is managing a shoulder injury.
I made a calculated decision: limit the captain’s workload early so fresh legs could absorb the load. It worked. It required trust that the next player could step into a leadership role and deliver. That only happens when a program has spent time developing people, not just players.
Execution Under Pressure
In a crossover match against Nordique on day two, the team faced a bigger opponent with physical advantages at the net. The response was pure systems volleyball: switch the pin hitters, give different looks on both sides, execute serve and pass strategy, limit what the other team could do offensively.
The mental discipline required for that kind of adjustment is developed in a place where students are constantly challenged to solve problems, adapt to pressure, and think beyond the obvious solution. It’s developed in classrooms and in residential life, not just in the gym.
Several matches came down to clutch moments. Marcela came in cold off the bench in a high-pressure situation and got a termination block that gave her team breathing room. Mariana showed up in the moments that mattered, even when she wasn’t having her best match. And Juanita, in the championship set at 23-23, was challenged by assistant coach Hector Garcia to explode and go over the top. She did. The kill sealed the match.
“Different players stepped up in different moments,” concluded Coach Sanchez. “It will be tough to replicate those that graduated in that sense. They genuinely enjoyed each other and celebrated each other well. Lots of tears at the end of it all.”
Those tears weren’t just about winning. They were about what it took to get there. They were about being pushed to uncomfortable places so you can grow. They were about belonging to something bigger than yourself.
What This Actually Shows
“Three players made the all-tournament team: Keri Petro, Giovana Menegazzo, and Mariana Castaño. Luna played the best I’ve ever seen her play. Aniya and Carley were exceptional all weekend. It was a team victory, and the championship reflected that.”
But the larger reflection goes back to why DME Academy exists.
“We were fortunate. Not every group is the same,” expressed Coach Alvaro. “But somehow we were able to bring together kids from five different countries, to get on the same page and play one way, with intention, intensity, relentless effort and competitive spirit. We hope to pass that on to the next group, but every build, every puzzle comes together differently in its own time.”
The standard at DME is to hold students to expectations that make them uncomfortable so they can grow and handle pressure well in the game. It’s to face the best competition possible so there’s only one option: bring your best every time. And through it all, come out the other side with better problem solvers, adaptable athletes, and incredible learners.
A national championship is one way to measure that. But the real measure is what happens next: whether those five girls from different continents carry that growth into their next chapter, whether they understand that adaptability and resilience and genuine connection are portable skills, and whether they believe they belong somewhere bigger than a volleyball court.
That’s what winning in Las Vegas actually meant.
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*DME Academy volleyball competes in multiple divisions across all age groups. Learn more about our volleyball program, or schedule a visit to see our elite development approach in action.*
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – DME Academy has entered into a multi-year partnership with adidas, with BSN SPORTS serving as the academy’s official outfitter and equipment provider. The agreement establishes adidas as the exclusive supplier of uniforms, apparel, footwear, and accessories across all DME Academy programs.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, performance, and the continued growth of student-athletes within a high-performance training environment. Through this collaboration, DME Academy athletes will be equipped with adidas’ industry-leading technology, including advanced performance fabrics and sport-specific footwear designed to support training and competition at the highest level.
BSN SPORTS will play a central role in delivering this experience, providing streamlined access to adidas products along with customized service and operational support. The partnership ensures efficient delivery, consistent quality, and tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of DME Academy’s coaches, staff, and athletes. With dedicated service and a strong national distribution network, BSN SPORTS enhances the day-to-day experience for every program within the academy.
“This partnership represents an important step forward for DME Academy as we continue to invest in the overall student-athlete experience,” said Seth Brown, CEO of DME Academy. “Aligning with adidas and BSN SPORTS allows us to provide world-class resources while reinforcing the standard of excellence we expect across all of our programs.”
In addition to performance benefits, the agreement will expand brand visibility for adidas across DME Academy’s facilities, digital platforms, and athlete development initiatives. The partnership also introduces enhanced access to custom team stores, giving athletes, families, and supporters the opportunity to engage more directly with the DME brand.
“We’re proud to partner with DME Academy and adidas to support one of the nation’s premier training and educational institutions for student-athletes,” said Doug Patterson, Area Sales Manager, Central Florida at BSN SPORTS. “DME Academy has built an environment centered on elite development, academic excellence, and character building, and we’re excited to provide the apparel, footwear, equipment, and service solutions that allow student-athletes and coaches to focus on performance.”
DME Academy continues to establish itself as a leading destination for student-athletes seeking a comprehensive approach to development, combining elite training, academic support, and exposure to collegiate and professional pathways. This partnership further strengthens that mission by aligning the academy with two industry leaders committed to advancing sport at every level.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a premier sports academy focused on developing student-athletes through a comprehensive model that integrates elite training, academic excellence, and character development. With programs designed to prepare athletes for collegiate and professional opportunities, DME Academy provides a high-performance environment that emphasizes discipline, exposure, and long-term success.
About adidas
adidas is a global leader in athletic and lifestyle footwear, apparel, and accessories. Driven by innovation and design, adidas develops performance products that help athletes at all levels reach their full potential while also shaping sport and culture worldwide.
About BSN SPORTS
BSN SPORTS is a leading provider of team sports uniforms, apparel, and equipment. A division of Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS serves more than 150,000 institutional and team sports customers, including collegiate, scholastic, club, and recreational programs across the United States. With a nationwide network of sales professionals and a multi-channel approach that includes e-commerce and direct sales, BSN SPORTS offers a broad selection of products and customized solutions designed to support athletes, coaches, and teams.
Learn more at www.BSNSPORTS.com.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – DME Academy’s U18 girls basketball team made history by capturing the Chipotle Nationals Championship, capping off an exceptional run against the nation’s top competition and finishing the tournament with three straight statement wins.
Entering Chipotle Nationals with an impressive 22-4 record, DME Academy earned the No. 5 seed and opened tournament play against No. 4 seed Long Island Lutheran (LUHI). DME secured a hard-fought 55-50 victory, led by GiGi Battle, who was named Player of the Game after posting 16 points and 9 rebounds.
In the semifinal, DME faced tournament favorite and No. 1 seed St. James Academy. DME rose to the occasion with a commanding 60-50 win, powered by Sara Okeke, who earned Player of the Game honors with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block.
The championship game saw DME take on No. 3 seed Bull’s, where the team delivered its most dominant performance of the tournament in a 68-49 victory to claim the national title. GiGi Battle once again earned Player of the Game honors with a remarkable all-around performance of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, finishing just shy of a triple-double.
Battle’s outstanding tournament performance also earned her Tournament MVP honors. Sara Okeke and Timani Harris were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
While the accolades highlight some of the tournament’s standout performances, DME’s championship run was built on a complete team effort from start to finish.
“This was a full team effort in every sense,” DME Academy’s Girls Coach Matt Pannagio said. “Every player contributed something meaningful to this championship run. Their toughness, belief, and unselfishness showed up in every game. It was an amazing thing to witness and be a part of. These girls made history.”
The championship marks a landmark moment for DME Academy girls’ basketball and further establishes the program as one of the premier forces in high school basketball.
For DME Academy, this title was more than a tournament win. It was a defining statement about the strength of the program, the character of the team, and the history this group created together.
Daytona Beach, FL — DME Academy proudly announces the appointment of Seth Brown as its new President, marking a key step in the academy’s continued growth and long-term vision.
Brown is a senior executive leader with a strong record of driving enrollment growth, revenue strategy, and organizational scale across education and sports-focused institutions. His experience includes leading organizations through launch, turnaround, and expansion phases, partnering closely with founders, CEOs, Boards, and senior leadership teams to align strategy with execution.
Most recently, Brown served as Senior Vice President of Sales & Enrollment at a nationally recognized sports academy, where he helped design and launch a new academic and athletic institution. He led revenue modeling, enrollment strategy, system implementation, and team development. Earlier in his career, he directed enrollment strategy within a global boarding school environment, led advancement efforts at a public college during a period of transformation, and spent more than two decades in soccer leadership across youth, collegiate, and professional levels.
For DME Academy’s founders, Daniel and Mike Panaggio, the partnership reflects strategic alignment and shared vision.
“Seth’s experience at the intersection of strategy, systems, and growth aligns perfectly with where DME is headed,” said Daniel and Mike Panaggio. “As we elevate our academic and athletic model, his leadership strengthens our operational foundation and positions us for sustained success.”
As President, Brown will oversee day-to-day operations, working closely with faculty, staff, and families to strengthen systems, support enrollment, and enhance the student experience. Daniel and Mike Panaggio will remain actively engaged in long-term strategy and mission alignment.
Brown shared:
“DME Academy has built a strong platform rooted in high expectations and opportunity. I’m excited to partner with the founders and team to build scalable systems, support our families, and help position the academy for long-term growth.”
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized, sports-focused educational institution serving student-athletes from across the country and internationally. The academy integrates college-preparatory academics with elite athletic training, emphasizing discipline, character development, and college readiness. Through continued investment in leadership and program excellence, DME Academy remains focused on delivering an exceptional student experience while building for the future.
For media inquiries, please contact:
info@dmeacademy.com
At DME Academy, several female students recently had the opportunity to attend the Women in Science Embry-Riddle (WiSER) outreach program hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The WiSER program is designed to introduce female high school students to potential careers in science. Through this program, students were able to step outside of the classroom and experience science in a more interactive and engaging environment.
Throughout the event, students participated in a variety of hands-on activities across the Daytona Beach community that were designed to spark curiosity and deepen their interest in science. These activities allowed students to explore real-world scientific concepts, conduct experiments, and see how different scientific disciplines connect to one another.
DME science teacher Ms. Duff attended and organized the program with the students and supported them throughout the experience. Her guidance and encouragement helped the girls fully engage with the activities and take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the scientists, faculty members, and mentors involved in the program.
“I would like to recognize our faculty for organizing the Wiser event,” said DME Director of Student Life Lance Morgan. “The team they assembled won third place, which includes a $2,000 scholarship, and the young ladies who participated were so excited to have been a part of it.”
A total of ten girls from DME Academy attended the WiSER program, and their hard work and participation paid off. Out of the ten students who attended, five were each awarded a $2,000 scholarship. Students winning the scholarship were Rebeca Amorim, Savyib Kamer, Giovanni de Negreiros, Elizabeth Wagner, and Rachel Wagner.
This achievement highlights both the students’ dedication and the impact that programs like WiSER can have in inspiring the next generation of young women to pursue careers in science and innovation.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy Men’s Basketball will set its sights on March Madness this weekend as the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament kicks off tonight (March 17) with First Four Action.
Once again, DME shows off its premier ability to prepare athletes for the next level as four former DME stars take the court.
DME alumni in this year’s tournament include:
For fans of the bracket challenge, the first possible DME vs. DME meeting would come in the Second Round of the tournament if Trey Fort’s Michigan State and Mikel Brown’s Louisville both win their First Round matchups.
The DME alumni across the NCAA Tournament field reflect the program’s sustained success in developing elite talent capable of competing on college basketball’s biggest stage.
DME Academy wishes all four student-athletes the best of luck as they take the court on college basketball’s biggest stage.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy Women’s Basketball continues to solidify its place among the nation’s premier development programs, with eight alumni set on seven different teams in the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament (March Madness).
The tournament tips off on Wednesday, March 18, with the First Four, and DME will be represented across multiple regions and top programs throughout the bracket.
DME alumni in this year’s tournament include:
One of the most exciting storylines of the opening round will feature a DME vs. DME matchup, as Iowa State takes on Syracuse on March 21 at 5:30 p.m., as Keira Scott and Olivia Schmitt of the Syracuse Orange take on Lilly Taulelei’s Iowa State Cyclones.
The presence of eight DME alumni across the NCAA Tournament field reflects the program’s sustained success in developing elite talent capable of competing on college basketball’s biggest stage.
From top seeds to emerging contenders, DME Academy’s impact will be felt throughout the tournament as its alumni look to make deep runs and compete for a national championship.
DME Academy wishes all eight student-athletes the best of luck as they take the court on college basketball’s biggest stage.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
Daytona Beach, Fla. – The DME Academy Boys National Basketball Team is heading back to the Final Four for the third consecutive season after securing two impressive victories in the Round of 16 this week.
The Final Four will take place in Owensboro, Kentucky, where DME will once again compete against some of the top programs in the country.
Leading the charge for DME was K’Majay Jenkins, who delivered standout performances in both games and was named Player of the Game in each matchup. Jenkins’ impact on both ends of the floor helped propel the team through the bracket and continue the program’s run of national-level success.
With momentum on their side, the Boys National team will now prepare for the next stage of the tournament as they travel to Kentucky with their sights set on another championship opportunity.
The DME Academy Prep Basketball Team also closed out its season in championship fashion, capturing the Phenom Nationals Championship in a strong finish to the year.
Competing against elite prep programs from across the country, the DME Prep squad showcased its depth, discipline, and high-level play throughout the tournament.
The championship adds another title to DME’s growing list of basketball accomplishments and highlights the strength of the academy’s development pipeline.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.