The International Sports Academy has a new home at Cedar Point Sports Center in Sandusky for its basketball development program after spending previous years in Willoughby, according to a news release.
The International Sports Academy also has partnered with other local entities to round out the academy experience for their athletes, the release said.Established in 2017 by Northeast Ohio natives Bob Bossman and John Kopcso, both of whom boast high school and NCAA college coaching experience, the International Sports Academy, at its core, is a college readiness program that paves the way for participants to achieve their goal of playing college athletics and obtaining a higher education, the release said.
The organization offers opportunities to student-athletes from the United States and around the world, having worked with student-athletes from 76 different countries and 39 different states to date, primarily in basketball, according to the release.
Participating in local, regional and national tournaments enables the student-athletes to compete against other elite programs and garner valuable exposure.
The International Sports Academy has seen alumni pursue higher education and athletic careers at institutions such as Ohio State, University of Alabama, University of South Carolina, University of Dayton, Kent State, Youngstown State, Xavier University, University of San Diego and many more, the release said.
The organization partnered with various local entities to make their vision a reality.
“Through strategic partnerships, ISA elevates the training experience for athletes worldwide,” John Kopcso, director of athletics for International Sports Academy, in the release. “These collaborations empower ISA to focus on individual athlete development while offering world-class resources.
“Partnerships not only foster the growth of ISA, but also afford its partners unique avenues for expanding brand awareness among a diverse audience.”
The International Sports Academy currently is working with the following organizations:
• Cedar Point Sports Center for its practice facility. Cedar Point Sports Center also provides breakfast and lunch on the days the athletes are in venue.
• Firelands Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center for access to sports medicine, recovery, physical therapy and athletic training care.
• Sandusky Central Catholic High School and Bowling Green State University-Firelands for college preparatory academic offerings.
• Justin and Lisa Brady of Best Stay Concepts for overnight housing.
The presence of International Sports Academy showcases another way Cedar Point Sports Center is providing opportunities through sports programming and partnership.
