Clarksville Academy

Category: Sports

  • Crosby named Head Football Coach at Clarksville Academy.

    Clarksville, Tenn.Clarksville Academy, a Pre-K through 12thgrade private college preparatory school, announced Tuesday that Head Football Coach, JD Sellers will leave Clarksville Academy and that assistant coach, John Crosby will take over as Head Coach.

    Crosby, a 2001 graduate of Battle Ground Academy, is no stranger to private school athletics. Immediately upon his 2006 graduation from the University of Tennessee, Nashville Christian hired him.  In the past twelve years, he has worked as a defensive coordinator, won a 2015 state championship title, coached a top 10 scoring defense in the state for four consecutive seasons, was a member of the District 10 Staff of the Year twice (2013, 2014), and coached the Mr. Football finalist in 2015. In addition to those accomplishments, Crosby also helped to guide his team to a 59-9 record over a five-year period.  During his time at CA, Crosby increased our weight training program, served as the Head Strength coach and Defensive coordinator and inspired our players to be more on and off the field.  Head of School, Jennifer Hinote, “John has been an important part of our coaching staff for the past two years.  He has helped our team to grow both physically and mentally.  We are proud to have him step into the role of Head Coach and know he will be successful!”

    Crosby stated, “I am extremely honored to be named the next Head Coach at Clarksville Academy. Since I arrived here two years ago, we as a staff have worked extremely hard to build a culture that demonstrates the value of hard work. As this program continues to grow, the goal of CA football will be not only to win games, but to shape young men into being future leaders of society. I fully embrace the opportunity of leading this great program forward, and thank all involved for entrusting me to be the newest head football coach at Clarksville Academy. “

    Crosby has over ten years of teaching experience four of those were as Head of the Physical Education Department at NCS and he has been an integral part of the Physical Education department at CA.

    Sellers came to CA in 2017 from his post at Austin Peay State University.  During his time at CA, the varsity football team has made its way to the first round of the State Playoffs twice. “Coach Sellers has been an asset to our program for the last two seasons and we are sad to see him leave. We understand his desire to move closer to home and know he will be successful in Georgia,” Athletic Director, Jake Peterson commented. Sellers is accepting an assistant coach position and moving closer to his hometown of Baxley, GA.

    For more information on CA and its programs please visit clarksvilleacademy.com

     

  • All Sports Banquet MVPs & Awards

    2017 Billy Frank Smith Memorial
    All Sports Banquet MVPs & Awards

    Friday, May 12, 2017 – 6:00 P.M.
    Clarksville Academy Activities Center

     

    On Friday, May 12, 2017, at 6:00 P.M. Clarksville Academy’s athletes, coaches, families, and administrators gathered together at Clarksville Academy’s Activities Center for the annual Billy Frank Smith Memorial All Sports Banquet. A catered dinner from Clarksville Academy’s Cougar Café was served buffet style with an array of desserts. Many awards were given out to include the MVP awards and the most prestigious of the night, the Billy Frank Smith Memorial Athletic Award. Shan Smith, the son of Billy Frank Smith, presented this award. He is also a 1974 alumni of Clarksville Academy and was the guest speaker of the night. The 2017 Billy Frank Smith Memorial Athletic Award was awarded to senior, Abbey Hogan.

    *Pictured from left to right: Dr. Kay D. Drew, Abbey Hogan, and Mr. Shan Smith

    Listed below are all awards given out and the recipients of each award:

    Girls’ Cross Country MVP – Grace Giles
    The Rising Star Award – Caroline Giles
    The Coach’s Award – Hunter Farrell

    Boys’ Cross Country MVP – Stone Norris
    The Rising Star Award – Hunter Nash
    The Coach’s Award – Bradley Burger

    Football MVP – Will Lankford
    Offensive MVP – Garrett Bauer
    Defensive MVP – Eli Norman

    Girls’ Soccer MVP – Taylor Kazinski
    Defensive Player of the Year Award – Mallory Saleh
    Offensive Player of the Year Award – Presleigh Sykes

    Girls’ Golf MVP – Mallory Saleh
    Save the Best for Last Award – Michaela Dowdy
    Shining Star Award – Beverly Anne Pugh

    Boys’ Golf MVP – Wyatt Samuels
    Persistence and Determination Award – Taylor Norris
    Rise Up Award – Bryson Batson

    Volleyball MVP – Nanami Murata
    Impact Player Award – Sara Cook
    Leadership Award – Abby Watson

    Boys’ Basketball MVP – Austin Fisher
    Defensive Player of the Year – Damian Hardison
    Cody Hanna Most Dedicated Award – Noah Clayton & Donavon Boatright

    Girls’ Basketball MVP – Sydneey Boykin
    The Rising Star Award – Lakeisha Phillips
    Most Improved Award – Ashley Roberts

    Girls’ Bowling MVP – Evie Baldwin
    Most Improved Award – Tashaunda Grimmett
    Rookie of the Year – Leah Hayes

    Boys’ Bowling MVP – Dylan Bryant
    Most Improved Award – Jacopo Manini
    Rookie of the Year – Kris Wallace

    Cheerleading MVP – Morgan Wilson
    Most Spirited Cheerleader – Malia McDowell
    The Leadership Award – Cambree Reed

    Dance MVP – Elizabeth Mabry
    Dance Team Excellence Award – Somer Lankford
    Dance Team Leadership Award – Lily Johnson
    Dance Team Passion Award – Anne Marie Rocconi

    Softball MVP – Macy Wallace
    Slugger Award – Lexi Ezekiel
    Golden Glove – Joie Giarrizzo

    Baseball MVP – Eli Norman
    Pitcher of the Year – Nolan O’Shoney
    Charlie Hustle – Carson Caudill

    Boys’ Soccer MVP – Bradley Burger
    Defensive MVP – Shaan Patel
    Most Improved – Sam Nicholson

    Girls’ Tennis MVP – Mallory Saleh
    Impact Player Award – Lily Johnson
    Most Improved – Emily Bryant

    Boys’ Tennis MVP – Will Parbs
    Impact Player Award – Doug Keplinger
    Most Improved Award – Dylan Bryant

    Girls’ Track MVP – Aliyah Wise
    Most Dedicated Award – Anne Kimball
    Most Improved Award – Anna Sawyer

    Boys’ Track MVP – Stone Norris
    Most Dedicated Award – Dalton Smith
    Most Improved Award – Robert Mullen

    Male Scholar Athlete Award – Will Lankford
    Female Scholar Athlete Award – Abbey Hogan

    Scott Uffelman Memorial Athletic Award – Eli Norman & Presleigh Sykes

    Billy Frank Smith Memorial Athletic Award Finalists –

    Abbey Hogan
    Will Lankford
    Eli Norman

    Billy Frank Smith Memorial Athletic Award Recipient – Abbey Hogan

  • Lady Cougars

    The Clarksville Academy Lady Cougars Varsity Basketball team has recorded many firsts this year.  They successfully launched a JV program for the first time in school history.  They are currently tied for first place in the District.  They have an 9-7 record in overall game play with a 7-1 district record and still have ten regular season games left in the season.

     

     

    Success like this doesn’t happen overnight.  This group of young ladies has consistently worked toward improving their team and they are reaping the fruits of their labor.  It has required commitment. Some teammates arrive at CA as early as 6:00 a.m. to get in shooting time.  Others spend long hours in fitness classes improving their overall strength.

    Coach Carrie Daniels has played a key role in that success.  Since her arrival two seasons ago, she has transformed our girls basketball program.  Her collegiate coaching experience and passion for the game is a perfect fit for the Cougar program.  “After spending nineteen years at the collegiate level, I have to admit, transitioning to high school made me a little apprehensive at first.  It wasn’t that I questioned my ability. I knew I understood the game and had the experience to lead the team; it was more the unknown.  The college game was all I had done for nineteen years.  After coaching here two seasons, I honestly can’t see myself anywhere else” Coach Daniels stated.

    Coach Daniels’ drive to see each girl improve and be passionate about basketball is what turned a corner for the Cougar program.  Athletic Director, Jake Peterson said, “Winning is about so much more than points on the board.  It’s about believing in yourself, practice, focus, determination, and a true team spirit.  The Lady Cougars have found that.”  This year there was an increase in the number of girls who tried out for varsity. This allowed them to form the first ever JV team in CA history.  Increased numbers also brought on healthy competition between teammates and encouraged each player to work harder for her playing time.  But, the biggest change, and most important change is that these girls want to win, and they believe they can.  They put in the work, the practice, the training to become better, stronger players and in turn are winners.

    The Lady Cougars are improving each week with every game.  They don’t back down from any challenge Coach Daniels and her staff present.  Mandatory strength training workouts, weight lifting, running, and skill drills are all part of the process.  Just as important, the girls are spending time together off the court and that is affecting their effectiveness on it.  The team bonding and sense of team pride have played vital roles in their success.

    Freshman starter, Sydneey Boykin is the current leading scorer for the Academy and is ranked in the Top 5 in the state for steals.  Boykin has the capacity of Division 1 level play, and she will continue to improve and mature during the next three years.  Keisha Phillips, a Junior, is also new to the Cougar team.  Keisha leads rebounding and has completed several double-double games this season.  (double digit scoring and double digit rebounds)  Phillips was named to Hall’s Sgt. York Holiday-All Tournament Team in Jamestown, TN this past December.  Phillips has the talent to play ball on the collegiate level and will only grow.

    “I could not be more proud to be the coach of these ladies wearing blue and gold.  When they step out on that court, it may not always be perfect and go according to plan, but the one thing I know is they are going to give us effort and that’s one thing you can’t coach” Daniels stated.  Passion, determination, grit and a will to see this team go further than any other in the school’s history is what makes the Lady Cougars the team to watch this season!

     

     

  • Clarksville Academy is pleased to announce its move to Division II for the 2017-2020 school cycle.

    Following much discussion and meetings over the past year with the Head of School, Athletic Director, administrators, the Executive Board, and Board of Trustees, the decision to appeal for a move to Division II was in favor.  Today, the TSSAA Board approved our move.  We are excited about this positive change and happy to share this with you.

    Last week, 17 other Tennessee private schools announced their move to Division II.  Among the schools that declared their move are Lipscomb Academy, Middle Tennessee Christian School, Nashville Christian, and Goodpasture.  What this means for Clarksville Academy is that we will be aligned with other private schools who are comparable in enrollment size in athletic competition.  This is great news for Clarksville Academy’s Athletic Program and future.

    Currently, our Athletic Director, Coach Jake Peterson, and CA’s coaching staff are building schedules for the next school year.  All sports for the remainder of this school year will fulfill their previously scheduled 2016-2017 athletic schedules.  We look forward to working with other private schools across the state in providing strong leadership for our student athletes.  Clarksville Academy’s Athletic coaches and staff will lead by utilizing CA’s core values and offer value-based training and coaching that places emphasis on honor, respect, and integrity.

    GO Cougars!

  • New Head Boys Basketball Coach

    We are proud to announce the return of Matt Wallace as Head Boys Basketball Coach. Head of Schools, Kay Drew announced Tuesday, that Matt Wallace would assume the position of Head Boys Basketball Coach. Wallace is the current Director of Finance & Operations for Clarksville Academy. Wallace will continue his administrative position, but will add Head Varsity Coach to his duties.

    On Monday, March 9 Chuck Holt resigned from both his coaching and teaching duties to assist his family. Holt is sad to leave his Clarksville Academy family, but knows that his family is what is most important. Holt said, “I’ve enjoyed my time while at CA and would like to thank the administration, faculty, and students for their support throughout my stay.  I’ll miss the relationships I’ve developed with my team and students the most.  Its been a great three years and I wish the best for the team in the future.” Head of School Kay Drew, “Everyone speaks about how their family comes first, but few have the opportunity to show it. Chuck has made the tough decision to leave Clarksville and his CA family to take care of what is most important. We are sorry to see him go, but support his decision completely.”

    Wallace commented, “I want to say I really hate to see coach Holt leave Clarksville Academy. He has been a positive influence on our school and our basketball program. He is a long time friend, a class act, and we will miss him.”

    Wallace, a Clarksville native, graduated from Northeast High and went on to Cumberland University on a basketball scholarship. After two years playing for Cumberland, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from The University of Tennessee Knoxville. Wallace also has his Bachelor of Science in Management from Bethel University and his Master of Science in Management from Austin Peay State University. Wallace served as the Head Boys Basketball Coach for Fort Campbell High School in 2009, and the Head Boys Basketball Coach for CA for the 2011 and 2012 seasons and Assistant Coach for the 2013 season. Wallace is married to Tara Sundstrom Wallace of Clarksville and they have two sons, Cooper and Colton.

    When asked about returning to coaching Wallace replied, “I have spent the last year spending time with my family and recharging for the upcoming year. They are very excited, to start a new season with our basketball family. We have a very talented team coming back, and we can be competitive in a very tough, and very well coached district. A huge thank you to Kay Drew, and Jake Peterson for having the confidence in me to lead this basketball program for the second time. It’s time to go to work! Go Cougars!”

    Head of Schools, Kay Drew is looking forward to an exciting year with Coach Wallace at the helm. “For me there is no doubt that Matt Wallace is the right person to lead the Cougars basketball team. His personality, work ethic and dedication to CA will enhance this program in many ways.”