Ohio Prep School Launches One-of-a-Kind Research Lab for Youth Athletes
Anwar Stetson
If You Build It They Will Come
SPIRE Academy, founded in 2009 and nestled in the woodlands of Northeast Ohio, is one of the nation’s premier prep academies for a multitude of sports. Now, the 800-acre campus in Geneva, Ohio, is adding a state-of-the-art research lab to its repertoire. Led by a team of scientists and strength trainers, SPIRE’s new lab is a symbol of the massive investments in youth sports around the nation.
On Wednesday, SPIRE announced the launch of SPIRE Performance Research Institute (SPRI), an “applied research and innovation lab focused exclusively on youth athlete performance, health outcomes, and real-time validation of emerging sports technologies.”
A Dream Team For the Body and Mind
“SPRI represents our vision in action,” said SPIRE CEO Steve Sanders in a statement. “Our goal is to become the most innovative sports academy in the world, where cutting-edge research, elite training, and forward-thinking education converge. SPRI is a key part of that. It allows us to apply science in real time, improve outcomes for our student-athletes, and help shape the future of sport through data, insight, and collaboration.”
Its team is led by Director of Performance Bobby Kaleal, a strength coach who has worked with NFL prospects, UFC fighters, and Olympians.
“Our athletes benefit from the same research-grade tools and protocols used by Olympic and pro-level competitors,” said Kaleal. “We’re applying them in ways that are practical, accessible, and built for long-term development.”
The lab will also have a “Director of Mindset Development,” Dr. Zac Bruback, who will help young athletes with cognition, mental resilience, and improved focus.
“We’re integrating the science of the mind with the science of movement,” said Bruback. “Mental health and performance go hand-in-hand. SPRI gives us a platform to study and support the cognitive and emotional development of young athletes, while also producing data that can shape how the next generation trains.”
Outside of traditional physical training, SPRI will include oxygen-based recovery and endurance training, core temperature regulation, and neuro-visual performance training.
From Prep to Pro
As youth sports has ballooned into a $40 billion industry, prep academies like SPIRE are developing high school athletes just as they would professionals.
SPIRE Academy boasts some illustrious alumni, including NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball, and Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson. The No. 1 girls basketball recruit in the Class of 2026, Saniyah Hall, is currently in her senior year at SPIRE. The school also includes top-tier Track and Field, Soccer, Lacrosse, Swimming, Wrestling, and even E-Sports programs. The introduction of SPRI should only continue to draw top athletes in the country to SPIRE.