Coach Steve Ridder of Embry-Riddle Addresses DME Student Body

At DME Academy, we are committed to developing leaders in the classroom, in sport, and in life. As part of our commitment, we are providing all students with bi-monthly  workshops, which include presentations from guest speakers who discuss leadership tools that our student athletes can use to be successful. To kick off our 2021 speaker series, we hosted Division II basketball legend and long time friend of DME Academy, Coach Steve Ridder.
Who is Coach Ridder? We’re glad you asked.
Coach Ridder has been the Head Coach of the Embry-Riddle men’s basketball team since 1989. In those 3 decades, he boasts a career record of 712-296 (that’s a .708 win percentage for the folks back home). He’s flown all over the world in order to teach the game of basketball, but this time his travels took him to DME Academy, just down the street from the ERAU’s home court in Daytona.
“Steve Ridder has been a great friend and colleague to many of us here at DME Academy,” says Laura Stegall, Athletic Director for DME Academy. “What he has accomplished in Volusia County regarding basketball and leadership, let alone at ERAU, is remarkable.  He embodies passion and leadership in everything he does, so there was no better individual to come in and address our student-athletes on leadership than Steve Ridder.”
Aside from his basketball accolades, Coach Ridder is widely known for developing the Embry-Riddle Athletic philosophy of “Student, Person, Player,” which is a commitment to academic achievement, campus and community involvement, personal holistic growth and a drive to excel in sport.
During his presentation, Coach Ridder provided students with secrets to success, as well as tools to achieve excellence at DME Academy and in their future endeavors.  Key elements, like priorities, gratitude, and commitment to excellence in our daily behaviors, were staple themes throughout the conversation.
“It was an extremely impactful speech,” says Tristan Armas, Senior on the DME Academy Basketball. “I learned a lot about ways I can enhance my daily actions to improve my overall success in basketball, but more importantly in life.”
Interested in DME Academy? Click here to learn more about our commitment to developing leaders in the classroom, in sport, and in life!