Keegan, a rookie forward for the Sacramento Kings, recently broke the record for most 3-pointers made by a rookie in a single season in a single season with 188 and is on pace for over 200. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His impressive shooting skills have been a major factor in the King’s success this season, helping them compete with some of the top teams in the league and clinching a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2006, 17 years ago. Keegan’s countless hours shooting on the court at DME Academy helped him develop his skills and prepare for the challenges of playing at the highest level of basketball.
Kris Murray, a junior guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has also been making headlines this season. In 2023, he was named a consensus All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the United States Basketball Writers Association, and other major organizations. Kris has been averaging 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game this year. Kris’s time at DME Academy helped him develop his skills and prepared him to excel at the college level. His impressive performances helped lead the Hawkeyes to a successful season as they earned a No. 8 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Both Murray brothers’ jerseys were retired by DME Academy at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is known for its elite basketball program and has produced many successful players over the years. The program focuses on developing the skills and abilities of young players, preparing them for the challenges of playing at the highest level of basketball. Keegan and Kris Murray are just two examples of the many talented players to come out of the DME Academy program. Their success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and staff at DME Academy, and the impact they have on the lives of young basketball players.
Interested in training at DME Academy? Check out our Summer Prep basketball camp here!
Anna Gonzalez has been named the new Director of Student Life at DME Academy, a role in which she will excel. Anna comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be invaluable to the students at DME.
At DME Academy, Anna will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of student life, including student organizations, residential life, and campus programming. Her experience and expertise in student affairs will undoubtedly help the academy to continue to foster a welcoming and inclusive community that supports student success. With her leadership, the academy will be well-positioned to provide students with the resources and support they need to thrive academically and personally.
“Keeping kids busy makes for happier kids, and happier students perform better,” says Mike Panaggio, Co-Owner/Founder of DME Academy. “DME now has the best Director of Student Life who will keep our students entertained. Last week during spring break she went swimming, paintballing, and to an arcade with our students who stayed on campus. I can’t even keep up with her. Thank you, Anna, for all the great things you do for DME Academy!
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Anna is known for her warmth and empathy, and she has a natural talent for building strong relationships with students, faculty, and staff alike. Her enthusiasm for her work and her commitment to the student’s well-being will be a great asset to DME Academy. The academy is fortunate to have Anna Gonzalez as its new Director of Student Life, and her appointment will be a positive development for the entire campus community.
DME Academy’s Girls’ High School National and Boys’ High School Gold Teams Win Sunshine Independent Athletic Association State Championships
DME Academy, a prominent athletic institution located in Daytona Beach, Florida, recently made headlines for its outstanding performance in the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) state championships. Two of DME’s basketball teams, the Boys’ High School Gold, and Girls’ High School National emerged victorious and claimed championship titles in their respective divisions.
The boys’ basketball team, led by head coach Hocine Gaham, had a remarkable season. They dominated their opponents throughout the year, showcasing their superior skills and teamwork. The team worked well together and it was apparent they had been training all season for a championship battle against Montverde Academy. The final score was a close 50-49, with Traye Sturm leading the way with 19 points. DME Academy’s victory allowed them to claim the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association’s trophy for the 2022-2023 season.
Similarly, the Girls’ High School National team, coached by Michael Panaggio, put up a stellar performance in the championship game against Central Pointe. The team was led to victory by Olivia Schmitt who had 15 points in the 52-42 victory. Schmitt was also declared the SIAA league, tournament, and game MVP. The win crowned DME Academy as the SIAA state champions for the second year in a row.
“Watching our girls’ basketball team win the state championship was one of the proudest moments of my coaching career. Winning two years in a row is something to be proud of,” said Panaggio. “Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance throughout the season paid off, and they proved that anything is possible with determination and teamwork.”
The victories of both teams are a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by the coaches and players. Both coaches had carefully crafted game plans, and the players executed them with precision and focus. The academy’s emphasis on rigorous training and development of their athletic skills has undoubtedly paid off, and the teams’ success is a source of pride for DME Academy.
It is a significant achievement that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for their exceptional performance and for bringing home the SIAA state championship hardware!
Interested in learning more about DME Academy’s proven basketball programs? Check them out here!
Check out the highlights from the Girls’ National win over Central Pointe here!
Olivia Schmitt has been nominated to win the 2023 Florida Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year Award!
Olivia Schmitt has been nominated to win the 2023 Florida Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year Award! A talented player, Olivia has been a standout throughout her high school career with DME, whose hard work and dedication have earned her numerous accolades. Earlier this year, she was named MVP at the Mecca Showcase in New York City.
Schmitt is a member of the High School National girl’s team at DME Academy. She has been having an amazing season on and off the court. She averages 14 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, while also shooting 38% from the 3-point line. Schmitt’s season-high point total was 26 against Rutherford in a 69-45 win on November 23rd, 2022.
Olivia’s consistency on the court has led her team to numerous victories and helped establish new records. Her determination and passion for the game are inspiring, and her talent has not gone unnoticed by coaches, fans, and players alike. So please join me in supporting Olivia Schmitt by casting your vote for her to win Florida’s Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year. Let’s recognize her hard work and exceptional talent by giving her the recognition she deserves.
Dominika Paurova Made Her Senior National Team Debut At 18 Years Old Playing For the Czech Republic Against Ireland.
Dominika Paurova is a talented basketball player from the Czech Republic who is currently attending DME Academy. She has been honing her skills on the court for years and has become one of the most promising young players in the country. Currently, she plays for DME’s High School Girls’ National team. Last weekend, Dominika had the opportunity to bring her talents to the global stage and represent her home country as a member of the Czech Republic basketball team.
Playing for the Czech Republic team is a dream come true for Dominika. She is thrilled to have the chance to compete on an international stage and represent her country at the highest level of basketball. Dominika’s hard work and dedication to her sport paid off, as she played an important role in helping the Czech Republic team succeed. She had 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists! Her outstanding performance on the court was a testament to her talent and her passion for the game.
Paurova is also taking her talents to the next level here in the United States next year. She recently committed to the University of Minnesota to play for the Golden Gophers Womens Basketball program!
Want to see how DME’s basketball program can help you play at the highest levels like Paurova? Check it out here!
Laura Stegall, DME Academy’s Athletic Director, and Volleyball coach earns Purdue University’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award
Laura Stegall, DME Academy’s Athletic Director, and volleyball coach has been selected as one of the recipients of Purdue University’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award. Title IX was first enacted in 1972 and the award from Purdue is being presented to Stegall in honor of its 50th anniversary. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives funding from the Federal Government.
Stegall and fifteen other individuals are receiving this reward to highlight their significant contributions to the advancement of gender equality in higher education and intercollegiate athletic programs.
Stegall graduated from Purdue University in Fort Wayne in the spring of 2002. Since graduating, she has gone on to earn countless accolades in the volleyball world. She is a true professional when it comes to launching volleyball programs and helping them blossom.
It all started in 2004 when Stegall spearheaded Indiana Tech’s program and led them to four consecutive winning seasons. She then went on to become the assistant coach of Embry-Riddle University. During her tenure there, the Eagles broke onto the scene with their first NAIA National ranking and made their first-ever national appearance at the National Tournament.
After her stay at Embry-Riddle, she went on to become the head coach of Daytona State College’s volleyball team.
Laura Stegall is being honored by Purdue Academy at the same time as her former coach, Kelley Hartley Hutton, who is also receiving the same award for her role as director of athletics at PFW. Which includes 15 seasons as head coach of the women’s volleyball program and 13 years as senior woman administrator, and chairperson of the Summit League Women’s Basketball Committee.
“Being put on this list with all of these amazing people is an honor in itself”. Says Stegall, “But earning Purdue’s Distinguished Service Award at the same time as my former coach, Kelley Hutton, is an even bigger personal achievement.”
In addition to her commitment to collegiate volleyball, Stegall has devoted her free time to enhance the development of young volleyball players in the Volusia County area. She is also the co-founder of If I Can I Will – Win The Day Foundation and author of the book “Diary of a No Name Girl” in which she coined the phrase “survive, thrive, live, repeat.”
Stegall is a true class act and DME Academy is incredibly lucky to have such a stand-up person as athletic director.
If you are interested in joining Laura and playing for DME Academy’s volleyball program, check it out here!
It’s the 5 a.m. wake-ups, the lack of spring and summer break, the time spent recovering, the dedication, and hard work. That’s what separates good athletes from great athletes.
Five DME Academy basketball players put pen to paper and signed with their dream schools. This was the ultimate achievement and symbolized the payoff of the commitment and passion they have given to the sport.
Three incredible athletes from our girl’s basketball teams signed with their dream schools. Hannah Miller, a Girls High School Prep team member, signed with Pitt State. Dominika Paurová and Tessa Engelman, members of the Girls High School National team, signed with Minnesota and South Carolina State, respectively.
Two members of our boy’s basketball teams also joined their dream schools. Petras Padegimas, a member of the Boys High School National team, signed with the University of Central Florida, and Alex Doyle, a member of the Post-Grad National/Blue basketball team, signed with Stetson University.
When asked about his experience at DME, Doyle said, “DME helped provide me with the opportunity to receive multiple scholarships. I’m especially thankful to my coaches, and I am extremely excited to make an impact in college at Stetson.”
At DME Academy, we are passionate about seeing our athletes succeed in the classroom and on the court. They make sacrifices daily to be the greatest at their sport and we are grateful we get to be a small part of their journey as they take their talent to the next level.
Congratulations to these five athletes on this incredible honor. Thank you for all you have given to DME Academy. We are excited to cheer you on as you take the next step in your career.
Do you want to take your talent to the next level? Learn more about our sports programs and how you can join DME Academy here.
Student Athletes Return to DME Academy for the ’22-’23 School Year
And just like that, school is officially in session at DME Academy! After a long summer of relaxation and recovery, the DME team is excited to be back in Daytona to take on the ’22-’23 school year.
Student athletes returned to campus on August 21st, eager to meet their roommates and transform their dorm rooms into a home away from home. The 80-bed dormitory hosts two student lounges, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, a cafeteria, an onsite laundry facility, a conference room, a learning center, an outdoor volleyball court and soccer field, and much more. Click here to check out some of our favorite dorm room makeovers from move in day!
The following day, student athletes and their families attended orientation sessions, where they were provided with an overview of the NCAA clearinghouse guidelines, an introduction to Opendorse’ sponsorship platform, and received information about how to effectively leverage social media during the college recruitment process.
Following the information sessions, guided tours allowed student athletes to get their bearings on campus and get acclimated with our state of the art facilities, including 4 beach volleyball courts, a 60×40 turf field, and the 47,00 square foot field house, which is home to 2 full NBA courts, 5 youth courts, 7 regulation volleyball courts, a performance center, athletic training rooms, and a spa.
“The goal of orientation is to establish and lay the foundation of the standard of excellence we want to work upon during the school year,” said Dan Panaggio, Co-Founder of DME Academy. “It is imperative that we establish a standard that drives our culture and allows us to create an environment of discipline and equity by which we serve our DME Academy students and student-athletes.”
After a successful 2021-2022 academic year, we are excited to announce we are starting the 2022-2023 school year with 190 students overall and many more eager to get enrolled.
Are you ready to take your game to the next level? We are now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year! Speak to a Student-Athlete Advisor today!
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After the initial success with the first ever Virtual Open House on May 18th, 2022, DME Academy will hold two more on Wednesday, June 15th 2022. The first will be held at 12 PM EST and the second will be held at 8 PM EST, giving people from all around the world the opportunity to tune in to obtain more information.
Join us again as Laura Stegall, Athletic Director, Anna Gonzalez, Head of School, Matt Panaggio, Director of Basketball, Alex Richard, Director of Sports Performance and Will Carpenter, Student-Athlete Advisor do a deep dive into all things DME Academy. They will cover everything from academics, to sports, to location, extracurriculars and so much more.
The open houses will be held by the knowledgeable staff mentioned above who are at the forefront of reimagining the way student-athletes learn, compete, engage and grow. They will cover key topics explaining DME Academy’s flexible, fully accredited program and their approach to teaching kids in grades 6-12 how to balance their exceptional athletic abilities and maintain top grades in the classroom. At the end of the Open House, there will be time carved out to answer any questions you may have on your mind about attending or sending your student-athlete to DME.
During our virtual open house event, we will :
DME Academy offers 127 courses with 41 electives and 10 AP courses, a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, and 99% college acceptance rate. The best part? DME is located 7 miles away from The World Famous, Daytona Beach in Florida.
We have two times available for these open houses to cater to our international audience and to people who may be busy during the day.
Find out if DME Academy is the right fit for your student-athlete by reserving your spot for our Virtual Open House! We can’t wait to see you on Wednesday, June 15th!
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