Is there only one IMG academy?

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Mar 3, 2015, 1:50 PM

From the golf course to the football field, IMG Academy of Bradenton, FL is developing some of the best talent in the land. Unless you've been under a rock you've more than likely heard of them. So how did this empire begin? How do they do it? With greatness comes a prices so just how much is that price? Let's have a look...

For starters, IMG Academy is a private training institute for amateur athletes ranging from the high school ranks all the way to collegiate, and professional athletes. They are a private boarding school who also offers training camps of several different levels. Their list of programs ranges from football, tennis, golf, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, and cross country. Each year, IMG trains over 12,000 athletes from 80 countries. The campus sits on 450 acres with facilities that rival some college programs. During the off season, NFL players such as Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, and Luke Kuechly train there.

BIG MONEY! So just what would it cost for one to attend IMG? Take a guess. Guess higher. No, even higher. A hint; it rivals what some universities cost and varies with the meal plan. The average cost of annual boarding tuition at IMG is around $65,000. Per their website, boarding for football at the high school level will cost you $68,500 (more staggering $'s below). Do they graduate? Yes, IMG is an accredited school that offers normal study programs while having an athletic emphasis. Students there take normal classes in English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, and the arts. A normal day at IMG consist of classes during the morning/ early afternoon followed by stringent training and tutoring at night between 6:30- 8. Not all students at IMG are striving to be athletes yet take advantage of their "college preparatory" emphasis. Some notable alum's have attended Wake, UVA, Vandy, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, and others.

Tennis Programs: The starting foundation of IMG? Nick Bollettieri is a world renowned tennis trainer who has coached some of the best. Folks travel from all over the world to learn from Bollettieri. He founded his own tennis academy in 1978 and IMG bought his company in 1987. The academy's success translated well and the empire was born. The campus has some 35 outdoor hard courts, 5 indoor courts, and 16 green clay courts. The Bollettieri/IMG academy has a long list of celebrity tennis players including Serena Williams, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, and Boris Becker.

Football anyone? IMG began its football empire in March of 2010. Coached by former FSU QB Chris Weinke, IMG offers football camps as well as year-round residency for football. Some of the top prospects in the country transfer to IMG for the opportunity to train at a high level while prepping for the next level. In their first season of play, the Ascenders went 9-2. They aren't in a division and therefore are ineligible for postseason play as a private school. In 2013, MaxPreps named IMG the "nation's top high school football facility." The 2014 season saw the Ascenders go 10-1 and outscored their opponents 479- 147.
For a look at 2014 stats; http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/img-academy-ascenders-%28bradenton,fl%29/football/stats.htmShort
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In addition to the HS level, IMG has hosted and trained some of the NFL's best including Anquan Boldin, Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Alex Smith, and LaDanian Tomlinson to name a few. IMG also houses the Gatorage Sports Science Institute. For further reading on the GSSI: http://www.imgacademy.com/about-img-academy/our-facilities/gatorade-sports-science-institute

So, just how big is IMG? Well, how many high schools have their own golf course. Currently, Golfweek ranks IMG student-athlete Mika Liu as the top Women's Amateur golfer. Have a look at this map http://www.imgacademy.com/sites/default/files/about/0814%20Map%20Kiosk%20Sign_General.pdf . Recently in 2011, IMG bought another 110 acres of land for 7.5 million dollars. Also in 2014, IMG bought another 24 acres that borders the west campus where they plan to undergo another 198 million dollar expansion. Big money in college football? Yes. High school too? Yep.

A look at some of IMG's prospects we're going after...

WR- TJ (Tavares) Chase 6-1 175 Plant City, FL IMG Academy 4* #13 WR, #79 nationally by Rivals. 24/7 #32 WR, #137 overall. In 2014 has 25 catches for 521 yds and 5 scores. One of the top performers at the Valdosta MVP Camp. Does well in the classroom with a 3.0 GPA. Nike Sparq verified 4.60 40, 26.5" vertical, 185 bench, and 225 squat. In 2014, had 24 catches for 600 yards and 5 touchdowns (very run oriented team who threw only 176 passes). Attended the 2014 Clemson vs scar game. Commited to Clemson on Junior Day of 2015. Was considered a FSU lean, camped there and visited unofficially twice. Had offers from CU, FSU, Aub, Fla, UGA, NCSU, ND, Rutgers, and others. "I"m shutting everything down, Clemson is the place for me," he said. "I'm deciding to shut that down and just make sure I have the grades and stuff to get down to Clemson."

High praise for Chase, “It may be a little premature, but T.J. has a lot of Larry Fitzgerald in him,” Green says. “Great route-runner, great hands, great body control, runs well after the catch — he pretty much does everything excellent. He can do pretty much everything — he has no weakness. He’s got it all. Definitely one of the best football players in the nation, in his class.” E.G. Green, IMG WR Coach.
Film: http://sports.yahoo.com/video/rivals-spotlight-t-j-chase-180300273.html
Interview: http://sports.yahoo.com/video/r250-challenge-t-j-chase-131800195.html

DE- Shavar Manuel 6-5 262 Tampa, FL IMG Academy 5* from 24/7, #1 SDE, and #3 nationally. 5* prospect from Rivals and their #2 DE and 7th overall. 2nd overall on ESPN's Top 300. In 2014, recorded 61 tackles and 20 sacks. CBS/MaxPreps All American. Also an All State Team member. Was an all county performer as a freshman and sophomore. Has offers from Bama, FSU, Miami, PSU, Fla, OhSt, CU, and others. Has a top three of Bama, FSU, and Miami. From Jamie Newburg, "I was very anxious to see the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder, as they hosted a very good Tampa Bay Tech team led by Clemson bound Deon Cain. On this night Tech beat Blake 20-6. They did a nice job of scheming Manuel. On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Cain froze Manuel on a zone read option and scored on an 80-yard run. Certainly I see things that he must continue to work on. He can always get bigger, stronger and faster. Manuel can play a little harder. At least for the next two seasons he will constantly see double teams and teams running away from him. There are plays to be made on the other side of the field. He can get there. Of course Manuel can continue to work on his technique. Heck, I already think he does a nice job with it. He has several moves already in his arsenal." For more, http://recruiting.scout.com/story/1437988-scouting-5-star-shavar-manuel

DE/LB Rahshaun Smith 6-2 226 4* Baltimore, MD St. Frances HS (recently transferred to Florida's IMG Academy) #1 DE by Rivals, #10 overall. 24/7 recently listed him as the #4 SDE and 48 overall. Has taken unofficials to WVU, Bama, CU, MD, and PSU twice. Visited for the Syracuse game. Visited for CU's junior day. Being recruited by Brent Venables. 4.5 40, 30.3" vertical, and Sparq rating of 76.89. Has offers from most majors including Bama, CU, FSU, Okla, Fla, Mich, PSU, and UT. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg700XRXjX8

More film: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1646245/highlights/15254374

ATH/ DB- Saivion Smith 6-2 175 IMG Academy, St. Petersburg, FL 4* ESPN. Rivals 4* No. 2 ATH, #24 overall. 5* by Rivals.com, #2 CB, and # 16 overall. In 2014, had 67 tackles, 6 INTs, and three blocked punts. Offered on 5-7-14. Unofficial visit to the scar beatdown. Also attended the 2014 CDS Camp. Considered to be a top prospect in this class. Check this out folks: "Smith has outstanding size at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. He excels in coverage, against the run and on special teams both as a return man and on blocking kicks. In this game against Trinity he fought off a block to make a tackle on running back Jeff Holland. While tackling Holland he stripped him and picked up with football. Smith raced down the sideline for a score. At the time it was his six non-offensive touchdown this season [if you include the Kickoff Classic]."

*** Please note that this contains some outdated info in regards to the recruits.
For further reading: http://247sports.com/Article/IMG-Academy-Begins-Prep-School-Football-Program-149736
http://www.imgacademy.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMG_Academy

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Is there only one IMG academy?

yes, just the one, but they "recruit" nationwide.***

Do they use state-owned planes for this purpose?***

Only Alumni are allowed to use those planes

i wood like to think balm1 wood frown upon that if so since

Re: Do they use state-owned planes for this purpose?***

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It's a boarding school

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