DME Academy is proud to announce a partnership with the International Development Academy, IDA, a worldwide leader in international youth soccer programs for our soccer academy program. Our soccer academy will offer a year-round development program, giving players high level training and competition, customized education and direct pathways into Europe and the US collegiate system.
This is a new expansion for IDA in the US, specifically Florida, and marks an important move for IDA, as its existing network of partner clubs and agencies continue to grow in Central and South America.
“We are thrilled to see this come to fruition,” said Rick Angelicola, Director of Global Partnerships. “Florida is at the heart of youth sports and education, so this allows us to increase our reach and create real opportunities for many more student-athletes and parents.”
The partnership with DME Academy will give IDA student-athletes access to an all-inclusive, state-of-the- art campus and a highly personalized educational program that meets the needs of each student-athlete.
DME Academy is largely known for its nationally ranked basketball program, producing a long list of top-level players but has been exploring an expansion into other sports.
Co-Founder, Dan Panaggio, boasts an extensive history in basketball, having coached three NBA teams as well as a trio of the most prestigious NCAA Division I programs including Oklahoma, Indiana, and Marquette.
“We are excited to partner with IDA. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. With their licensed and international coaches and a reputation for building strong players, we believe we can change the soccer landscape together.” said Dan Panaggio
“Partnering with DME Academy will give our student-athletes a tremendous foundation for success, said Angelicola. We are very excited for the future.”
The program is set to launch this coming Fall, and is currently accepting applications.
DME-IDA Summer Camp Line Up! Click here
Interested in applying or learning more? Click here
Amiya Evans, Sydney Shaw, and Niccolo Moretti were nominated to compete on the biggest stage in high school hoops, the McDonald’s All American Game. The three DME seniors each competed for 1 of 24 respective roster spots against a pool of over 760 players from across the country.
"It has been a pleasure to coach and work with this team, specifically Amiya and Sydney,” said Wesley Arocho, Head Coach of the girls program. “What an honor for these two young ladies to even be considered for such a prestigious opportunity. They both deserved to be considered in elite company as candidates for the McDonald's All American Game." The pair of hoopers are both DI bound next fall, as Amiya has committed to the University of Central Florida, while Sydney has committed to Auburn University.
“We’re extremely proud of Niccolo for receiving a nomination,” said Matt Panaggio, Head Coach of the boy’s team. “The roster for the 2022 McDonald’s All American Game is loaded with talent, and it’s a great honor to be in the same conversation as those student athletes.” The 6’2 point guard joined the squad at DME Academy after a run with Italy’s Edilnol Biella professional team. His nomination for the game is another feather in his cap as he gears up to make his next move.
DME Academy has quickly asserted itself as a premier program in the high school basketball landscape, and these three nominations are a major testament to each program’s strength. Put yourself in a position to earn All American honors, click here to learn more about basketball programs at DME Academy.
Whether on the court, in the classroom, or in daily life, hard work and never giving up always pay off. These guiding principles have helped propel the DME Academy Girls’ High School Basketball program to 8th in the country, according to a recent ESPN article.
A recent, hard fought victory over Lake Highland, previously ranked 7th, rocketed them into the top 10. The combination of Chloe Kitts leading the charge with 20 points, and Amiya Evans scoring 15 points, drove the offense in this ‘nail-biter’ that saw DME pull out a tight 49 to 48 victory. This was unusual territory for DME as they trailed at halftime, for the first time all season long, but rallied together; earning an enormous road victory in Orlando, Florida. DME’s head coach, Wesley Arocho, credited the second half comeback to the defense, moments after the huge victory. Arocho went on to state “we did a better job guarding their shooters and picked up our energy on defense”. With a perfect record thus far, the DME Academy Girls’ High School Basketball squad is showcasing their ability to play fundamentally sound, confident and aggressive basketball.
Chosen as a pre-season favorite to compete for the championship, the DME Academy Girls’ High School Basketball program has consistently been a top-tier team, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The nationally admired program success is due in large part to Dan Panaggio and his previous NBA coaching experience. Dan and his staff have uniquely formed a core foundation of community; mentoring and encouraging DME student-athletes to be the best version of themselves. No matter if it is in the classroom, weight room, or on the court, the DME Academy Girls’ High School Basketball team is committed to excellence.
Learn more on all things pertaining to DME Academy Girls’ Basketball programs, here. Follow the team on their pursuit of a championship, here.
In sports, nothing is given but rather is earned. This statement could not be any truer for the DME Academy Boy’s High School Basketball program as they are ranked 20th in the country; cracking into the national rankings released by MaxPreps on November 23rd.
The celebrated entrance into the National rankings came by upsetting the highly-praised preseason favorite, Legacy Early College, on the road, with a dominant performance by senior guard, Niccolo Moretti, who had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Milan Skoric also put on a show with 17 points. This dynamic duo led the way for DME as they capitalized on in-game adjustments, such as moving from man to zone on defense, to grab the win with a final score of 71 to 67; advancing with an impressive record of 6-1.
With the season in the very early stages, there is no reason to pump the brakes on this red-hot team as they have a top-tier roster, an experienced coaching staff, and are here to stay for the long haul.
“I love what this team is doing! They’re demonstrating hard work on and off the court. A truly dedicated group that plays selfless ball” commented DME Academy Co-Founder Dan Panaggio.
Moments after securing the upset win, the ecstatic head coach, Matt Panaggio, noted the difference in the game was DME’s defense holding Legacy Early College to 37% shooting from the floor, with the pick-n-roll working well to contain the opposing offense. With a strong, fundamentally sound performance from the team, opposing coaches and student-athletes around the league should have them at the top of their radar; this team’s confidence is at an all-time high with no signs of wavering.
It comes as no surprise that this team is thriving as the DME Academy’s Boy’s National Basketball program has a core foundation of the community with a culture of belief; igniting the shared dream of being the best for each other. Whether in the classroom or on the court, this team competes for each other and has a bond that cannot be broken. This deeply rooted environment was developed by DME Academy Co-founder, Dan Panaggio, whose reputation runs strongly throughout the NBA. Dan served on the coaching staff of the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers and is currently mentoring DME Academy student-athletes.
Being ranked as the 20th Best Boy’s High School team in the country speaks for itself.
But the chase is on to earn the top spot in America.
Learn more about DME’s Boys’ basketball programs in Daytona Beach, Florida here.
The season has only just begun, but the hype around the 2021-2022 DME Girls’s Basketball Program continues to grow. With a top-tier roster, and experienced coaching staff, the team’s pre-season ranking sets them up for an exciting year ahead!
Earlier this month, MaxPreps released their Preseason Top 25, listing DME Girls Basketball at number 16 in the country. It should come as no surprise that this esteemed ranking comes shortly after three DME Girls’’ Basketball student-athletes were named to ESPN’s Top 100 Girls to watch. Seniors Sydney Shaw (ranked #49) and Amiya Evans (ranked #65), along with junior Chloe Kitts (ranked #16) hope to lead DME to a memorable season!
DME basketball has a strong reputation rooted in NBA experience stemming from Co-Founder Dan Panaggio’s experience on the coaching staff with the Portland Trailblazer and Los Angeles Lakers. And, with the belief of creating a supportive, close-knit community on and off the court, this team has drawn the attention of people across the country. The ranking as the number 16 team in the country speaks for itself!
Wesley Arocho, head coach of the girls’ basketball team, spoke to their success saying, “Each player works hard in practice to take their game to the next level. They play as a team each and every game, and their determination and dedication are paying off.”.
DME will be up against some stiff competition throughout the 2021-2022 season, including games against IMG Academy, Montverde Academy, and Lake Highland Prep to name a few, but they’re up for the challenge. They are a force to be reckoned with this season and are prepared to compete with some of the top teams in the nation.
Be on the lookout for some can’t-miss action as the DME Girls’ Basketball team comes to a court near you! The chase is on for the #1 spot in America.
Learn more about our girl’s’s basketball program here.
Daytona, Florida: DME Academy (DME) announced today that it has acquired Main Baseball Academy (MBA) in Orange City, Florida. Former professional baseball player, Michael Main, founded MBA in 2015 and quickly turned it into one of Central Florida’s premier youth baseball organizations. The acquisition will allow local, national, and international student-athletes to pursue a world-class education and first-rate baseball opportunities.
“I’ve been a baseball fan ever since I was a little kid,” says Dan Panaggio, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of DME Academy. “Michael has developed an amazing program over at MBA, and it’s an honor to be able to incorporate his knowledge, experience, and love of the game into everything we’re building at DME. There’s so many talented baseball players in Florida, so it only felt right to add baseball into the mix as we continue to add more sport offerings in our academy model.”
MBA is the newest and most advanced indoor baseball facility in Volusia County, featuring eight batting lanes and two full size pitching lanes. Over the years, MBA has instructed hundreds of players in the Central Florida area through lessons, travel teams and camps. Main was the 24th overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft and his firsthand experience playing professional ball has been instrumental in guiding over 100’s of players on the path to collegiate baseball.
“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to take an established youth baseball program and bring them into DME Academy,” says Main, who will serve as the Director of Baseball Operations for the new program. “Players will excel with the help of DME Academy’s experienced education staff, top-notch coaches, premier facilities, and breakdowns from new analytic and video technology devices.”
DME looks forward to opening its doors to baseball players with the help of Michael and the Main Baseball Academy. Together, the two entities look to develop DME into a nationally recognized baseball program.
Learn more about our DME spring baseball program and 2023 academy program here.
DME Academy is an elite, multi-sport training and educational institution designed for student-athletes who are looking to reach their ultimate potential, harness their strengths and achieve their goals. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, our academy offers a wide variety of programming, from our 6th-12th grade co-ed boarding school and post-grad programs, to year-round camps, tournaments, team events, and collegiate and professional training. #ignitethedream