Elite Athlete Training Center

Mission Statement
The Elite Athlete Training Center has been developed to teach young athletes the proper use of weight training, sports nutrition, speed and agility training, sport related injury rehab, SAT or ACT preparation and assistance in helping the college bound athlete. By implementing all of these areas, the athlete develops confidence they need to succeed in athletics. The Center is part of the Moshannon Valley YMCA and does not discriminate for race, religion or national origin. The Center was developed to give young athletes the proper training to compete in athletics. The program is for athletes serious about taking their game to the next level and not for the occasional athlete.

Program Outline
The Elite Athlete Training Center was developed to give young athletes the proper training to compete in athletics. The program is for serious athletes that want to take their game to the next level and not for the occasional athlete who isn’t serious. 

The athletes will be instructed in the proper technique of speed & agility training and weight lifting program by certified instructors. In addition there is a physical therapist to help with sports related injuries and to instruct on the proper techniques of training so injury isn’t brought on by improper training methods. 

As important as the athlete’s physical ability is in competing, the athlete’s mental ability is every bit as important. Sports psychology and mental skills training will be an important link to the Center. We will have group discussions dealing with the psychology of performance excellence and will be able to offer individual sessions with a Sports Psychologist to enhance concentration, confidence, consistency, and mental toughness. No matter how well tuned the body is the mind will control the actions of the athlete. 

How important is nutrition to the athlete? What should an athlete eat while training, pre-game, post-game and necessary fluid in-take. Why do athlete’s cramp or lose their legs? Through the sports nutrition, they can learn the proper nutrition needed from a sports nutritionist. 

Sports Medicine will be an important element within the program through an Orthopedic Surgeon and a Certified Athletic Trainer. Understand why a bag of ice, analgesic balm and two rolls of tape aren’t always the answer to an athlete’s injury. What sports related injuries are and what you should be doing to heal them. 

Sport specific training for athletes will be done through qualified coaches and former professional athletes. The YMCA has batting cages available with hitting and pitching instruction. In the summer of 2006 the YMCA will open their new baseball complex with batting cages and pitching areas in a new complex next to the gymnasium. The floor surface will be artificial turf. This complex will be used extensively for a lot of the speed clinics. Basketball instruction will be headed by a two-time state championship Coach Michael Bailey, with players in the NBA and others that play professional basketball. Coach Bailey is available for individual instruction also at an additional cost. 

There will be discussion series for you to attend that will be conducted by college coaches, athletes and professional athletes. This is an added benefit for the athlete if they wish to attend.

We are currently working on programs for SAT and ACT Prep. There will be access to computers for the athletes to do work. We also will have information available as well as do a discussion group, on what you as an athlete need to do to get ready for college. This will discuss the SAT’s, ACT’s, Clearing House and timetables that you need to be aware of. The SAT and ACT Prep information will not be ready for the first session. We are looking at several programs and want to be certain on the program that is chosen is best for the athletes. 

More specialized fields will be added to the program as needed and requested.

Program Data
Each session will last for a ten week period. The total cost of the ten week session will include all programs done as a group. If you would like one on one time with sports psychology, that would be an additional cost. Certified Personal Fitness Trainers will be available for one on one training at a cost of $45.00 for 5 sessions and $80.00 for 10 sessions. The cost for individual hitting and pitching lessons with Justin Hazelton is $25.00 per half-hour and will be at the completion of the daily schedule. The cost for individual basketball lessons with Coach Michael Bailey is $50.00 hour or $25.00 per hour for group lessons. These lessons will be at the completion of the daily schedule. 

It is essential that the athlete understands that sacrifices and hard work are key in becoming a better athlete. This is for the serious athlete and commitments are expected from the athlete and parents.

Program Cost
The cost for an athlete to attend the ten week session is $200.00. 

This fee also includes a three month membership to the Moshannon Valley YMCA that allows you use of the cardio fitness equipment and the weight room on nights or days when the program isn’t meeting for a three month period.

The program fee is due at the time of registration. It must be paid prior to the athlete starting. An application, medical history and a physical within the last year needs to be provided on each athlete before participation in the program.  

Information
For more information contact Mel Curtis at (814) 342-0889 or e-mail ymca73@verizon.net.