Rotarian Mary Vegh introduced Ethan Hunt from the new International Soccer Academy of America (ISAA) in Mishawaka. Ethan has a Master’s in Sport Management, Johan Cruyff Institute and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (did a traditional 2-year program in one year).He has a BA in Sport Management from Bethel University, Cum Laude, was named Bethel University Kinesiology Student of the Year 2017-18, and Bethel University Servant-Leader of the Year 2018-19. Ethan holds a United Soccer Coaches National Coaching Diploma. He spent 3 years as Bethel University’s Men’s Soccer Student Manager and two years coaching soccer at Marian High School, prior to founding ISAA in 2020 and to opening in the Fall of 2021.
Ethan stated that ISAA is a private high school directed toward soccer players, located at 205 W. Edison Road. Students attend both school and soccer in the same environment with the goal to elevate their game to attend college as a soccer player. Learning inside the classroom will include a mindfulness class based on curriculum developed by Bethel Professor Rachel Lindvall and Erin McLeod a world class goalie. The academy will have a 12:1 student to teacher ratio with added tutoring. Friday’s will be project day and without a lot of homework outside the classroom. Two teachers have been hired from Marian and one for Montessori. Classes will start at 9:30 with soccer play at 5:00. There will also be prep classes for ACT, SAT, and essay writing required.
It is a private school with no state funding and the tuition is based on 10% of a combined household salary. ISAA will not compete with local high schools, instead will play with regional and national clubs and in tournaments. For admission their soccer skills will be accessed by attending games they are playing in. There will be 5 teams with no more than 18 on a team that will play by skills not age.
As he has traveled around the world, Ethan stated it is the most popular sport worldwide that everyone can play, all it takes is a ball, 2 sticks, and a field. ISAA will take on England’s organizational structure and hopes to host students from around the world. He said you have to see our facility to believe it and invited everyone to take a tour. We have a league partner from a youth academy in Spain coming in next week.
Soccer training will start on July 26th and the first class will start on August 16th. There are 11 students from 14 to 18 years of age enrolled for this year, with the goal of 54. For questions about the Academy call 574.402.0100.
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