DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — DME Academy is pleased to announce a new food service partnership with Elior Independent School Dining, a national dining and hospitality provider serving independent and private schools across the country.
The partnership represents a major investment in the DME student experience, bringing a more customized, nutrition-focused and student-centered dining program to the Academy’s Daytona Beach campus.
As a school built around the full development of student-athletes, DME Academy sought a food service partner that understood the importance of quality, consistency, nutrition, variety and hospitality. Elior was selected for its ability to deliver fresh, thoughtfully prepared meals while supporting the needs of a diverse student body that includes residential students, day students and athletes training across multiple sports. The selection process included direct input from DME students and coaches on what they wanted from their dining experience and Elior’s sports nutrition expertise and seven-day-a-week service model set it apart from other providers DME considered.
“At DME Academy, the student-athlete experience extends well beyond the classroom and the court or field,” said Seth Brown, President and CEO of DME Academy. “Food is a daily part of how students feel, perform, recover and connect with one another. Moving to Elior allows us to provide a dining experience that better reflects the level of care, structure and support we want every student to feel on campus.”
Elior’s program will focus on scratch-prepared meals, fresh ingredients, menu variety and allergen-aware options that reflect the needs and preferences of DME’s residential students, day students and athletes training across multiple sports.
With students representing more than 26 countries, DME Academy also wanted a dining partner who could make the campus feel like home for a global community while introducing students to new flavors. Alongside scratch-prepared traditional favorites, the dining program features Southern Vietnamese-inspired rice noodle bowls; Mezze Table, showcasing the fresh, vibrant flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean; and authentic Korean cuisine. Together, these concepts create a dining program that celebrates global flavors while meeting diverse dietary preferences.
For DME’s student-athletes, one of the most meaningful parts of the partnership is Elior’s FUELED sports nutrition platform. Built to support training, performance and recovery, this nutrition program gives student-athletes:
Beyond day-to-day meals, FUELED is designed to help students understand the connection between the food choices they make and how those choices affect their energy, recovery, performance and overall well-being, building habits that can carry into their academic, athletic and professional careers.
“DME Academy is a dynamic campus with a clear commitment to developing the whole student-athlete,” said Todd Hickman, SVP Elior Independent School Dining. “Our goal is to create a dining program that supports that mission every day, with meals that are fresh, inclusive, nourishing and connected to the rhythms of student life, training and competition.”
The transition to Elior is part of a broader effort by DME Academy to continue strengthening the residential and student life experience. Alongside recent investments in student support, campus programming and community development, the new food service partnership reflects DME’s ongoing commitment to creating an environment where students can grow academically, athletically and personally.
In addition to daily dining, Elior will support DME Academy through catering and hospitality services for campus events, admissions visits, family programming, athletic events and community gatherings. These services will help elevate the overall campus experience for students, families, staff, guests and prospective families visiting DME Academy.
DME Academy is a private school and elite athletic training academy located in Daytona Beach, Florida. DME provides a complete student-athlete development experience that combines academics, sport-specific training, residential life, leadership development and college preparation. With programs across multiple sports, DME supports students as they pursue growth in the classroom, in competition and across campus life. Visit: www.dmeacademy.com
Elior Independent School Dining provides dining and catering services to independent and private schools across the country, serving millions of meals each year. Elior partners with schools to create customized dining programs focused on fresh ingredients, hospitality, wellness, nutrition and inclusive campus experiences. Visit: www.elior-independentschools.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — DME Academy is proud to announce Richard Duffy as the Academy’s new Director of Girls Soccer, bringing decades of experience in player development, collegiate coaching, leadership, and mentorship to one of the nation’s premier environments for aspiring student-athletes.
Duffy joins DME Academy with a proven track record of developing athletes, building successful programs, and creating pathways that help young players reach their highest potential on the field, in the classroom, and in life.
His appointment reflects DME Academy’s continued investment in providing student-athletes with elite coaching, individualized development, and meaningful opportunities to pursue collegiate, professional, and international soccer pathways.
“Richard embodies everything we value at DME Academy,” said Seth Brown, CEO of DME Academy. “He understands that true development goes beyond wins and losses. His experience, leadership, and commitment to helping young people grow as athletes, students, and leaders make him an exceptional fit for our community and vision.”
Duffy arrives from Rocky Mountain College, where he currently serves as Head Women’s Soccer Coach. Throughout his collegiate coaching career, he has guided programs to conference championships, national tournament appearances, and sustained competitive success. Under his leadership, student-athletes have earned All-American honors, conference awards, and opportunities to continue their careers at higher levels of competition.
His impact extends well beyond the collegiate game. As Director of Coaching and Executive Director for REAL Billings FC, Duffy helped shape player development systems, coach education initiatives, and club-wide standards designed to support athletes at every stage of their journey. His experience building successful pathways from youth soccer through college athletics brings valuable perspective to DME Academy’s developmental model.
At DME Academy, Duffy will oversee all aspects of the girls soccer program, including player development, coaching leadership, curriculum implementation, recruitment, and college placement support. His vision centers on creating a high-performance environment where athletes are challenged to excel technically, tactically, academically, and personally.
“DME Academy offers a unique opportunity to impact the complete student-athlete experience,” said Duffy. “What drew me to DME was its commitment to helping young people pursue excellence in every area of their lives. My goal is to create an environment where players are inspired to dream bigger, work harder, and discover what they are truly capable of achieving.”
A passionate advocate for coach and player development, Duffy holds a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” License and serves as a USSF Grassroots Instructor. He also holds the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and Goalkeeping Level I Diploma, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and the highest standards of coaching excellence.
Originally from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, Duffy enjoyed a distinguished playing career before transitioning into coaching. A two-time NAIA All-American during his collegiate career at Husson College and the University of Mary, he brings firsthand experience competing and succeeding at high levels of the game.
Duffy and his wife, Kelly, are the proud parents of four sons—Jordan, Charlie, Lewis, and Henry. Together, they share a passion for education, mentorship, and helping young people realize their full potential.
As DME Academy continues to strengthen its position as a destination for driven student-athletes from around the world, Duffy’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter for the girls soccer program and its future growth.
DME Academy is a premier academic and athletic institution dedicated to helping student-athletes discover, develop, and maximize their potential. Through a unique combination of rigorous academics, elite coaching, individualized support, and competitive opportunities, DME Academy provides a complete pathway for students pursuing excellence in sport, education, and life. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, DME Academy serves student-athletes from across the United States and around the world, preparing them for success at the collegiate, professional, and personal levels.
DME Academy soccer alum Yan Diomandé is making headlines on the world stage. CBS Sports has profiled the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger — now starring for RB Leipzig in Germany’s Bundesliga — as a potential breakout star at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Diomandé developed at DME Academy from 2022 to 2025 before launching his professional career in Europe — the latest DME product to reach the sport’s highest level. In the feature, DME President Seth Brown reflects on Diomandé’s time on campus and the academy’s role in his growth.