LAKE HALLIE, Wis. (WEAU) – “It’s just a playground for athletes, that’s what this place is,” laughs Chase Hoople, General Manager of Valley Sports Academy.
A 116,000 square meter playground, that is.
“We have football, we have baseball, we have softball, we have hockey, we want to introduce lacrosse in the area,” Hoople said.
USA is the facility that Chippewa Falls natives knew would change the game for athletes in western Wisconsin.
“If they wanted high-level training, people had to travel hours, people go to the cities, people go to Madison, people go to Green Bay, but no one really had the opportunity to stay here,” Hoople says.
Until now. The building for $ 10 million. located in Lake Hallie is full of talent; from the coaching staff to the kids.
“And that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it? That’s what all our directors are here for,” said CJ Koehler, director of baseball. “We want to train and develop children in every sport, and we want to give children opportunities they did not have in the Chippewa Valley before. “
10-year-old TJ Styer says he already sees improvements in his game on the diamond.
“Then the rotation throws, it teaches you to have your glove forward, point at your target, and then bring it in when you throw,” Styer demonstrates. “Pitching, punching, fielding, it’s all great.”
“Now on the hockey side, we have brought in Jack Skille as our hockey director,” says Hoople. “Jack played professionally for 14 years.”
Former Badger hockey player and NHL veterinarian, Skille says coaching for the U.S. has been nothing short of a homecoming.
“I was super excited to get back to Wisconsin, go back to my roots,” he laughs.
His players have access to an ice skating belt, specially synthetic ice and hand-eye coordination quick shots.
“I expect effort, I expect these kids to compete, will get better at hockey,” Skille begins. “That’s the only reason they should be in this program … it’s the same for our coaching staff.”
A mutual respect says Skille that he asks for, with a model to be encouraging, uplifting and help the whole sports community.
“I’m convinced that if you’re more passionate about coaching than the kids you coach, it’s not going to be fun … so this has been a lot of fun,” Skille says.
As for future Badger players on the way? Skille says the jury is still out. “I do not know,” he laughs. “Maybe a couple, though, it’s up to them.”
A massive training facility dedicated to giving Chippewa Valley youth of all ages opportunities to improve in their chosen sport.
“If they are willing to come in here and work hard, we are willing to train them,” Hoople says.
VSA offers training programs from skill work, to weight training, to mental performance training, everything a young athlete could look for, and a little more.
To meet the directors, browse upcoming camps, summer programs or leagues, visit the USA website here.
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