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The New Faces on DA’s Faculty & Staff: Athletics

The New Faces on DA’s Faculty & Staff: Athletics

Their colleagues, students and athletes have learned in two weeks what you will learn soon: Durham Academy’s newest faculty and staff members are right at home. They arrive with a slew of moral, happy and productive experiences — and they arrive with an appetite for more.
 
Meet the incoming cohort of new DA Athletics hires.
 

New Faces in Athletics

 

Derek Brunn

Assistant Director of Athletics

Education: 
Randolph-Macon College, B.A. in Communication Studies
Grand Valley State University, M.S. in Communications

Previously: Assistant Director of Athletics, Georgetown Day School (Washington, D.C.)

 

Kofi Kufuor

Middle School Boys Soccer (A Team) Coach

Education: 
Newberry College (South Carolina), B.S. in Political Science and Government
North Carolina Central University, J.D.

Currently: Talent Manager, Free Radikal Entertainment LLC

Why I chose Durham Academy:  “DA is close to home. I know from close friends who have kids who have been to DA and who go to DA that it's a great school. A friend who works there encouraged me to join the faculty.”

 

Hailey Myers

Athletics Intern

Education: Myers is a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Why I chose Durham Academy: “I chose Durham Academy because of the school’s high-caliber athletics department. Coaches, athletic directors, trainers, student-athletes: Everyone is held in such high regard, and the respect between one another is amazing. Every kid has an opportunity to play a sport at DA, which I love because sports are so formative and teach people some of the most valuable life lessons. I hold student-athletes in high esteem. I know the workload and the multiple practices per day while balancing a social life can be extremely exhausting some days, so I am so excited to see and help these kids strive in whatever ways I can! I am so excited to see young athletes’ passion for sports develop and foster connections with them, with teams and with coaches!”

 

Robby Riesgo

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Education: 
Ohio University, B.S. in Physiology of Exercise
Ohio University, M.S. in Physiology of Exercise, Human Performance Track

Previously: Sports Science Intern, Clemson University Athletics

 

Marisa Scandole

Athletic Trainer

Education: 
University of South Carolina, B.S. in Athletic Training
San Jose State University, M.A. in Kinesiology

Previously: Associate Athletic Trainer for Football and Women’s Tennis, San Jose State University

Why I chose Durham Academy:  “The incredible sense of community I felt here at Durham Academy since the very beginning. The staff seemed truly invested in wanting to give these students the best education and best experience in all aspects of life.”

 

Hannah Smith

Athletics Intern

Education: Smith is pursuing two degrees — one in journalism and media and the other in sports administration — as a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Why I chose Durham Academy:“I am excited to join DA to be a part of a new community outside of UNC and to learn more about the high school athletics world.”

 

Sydney Supica

Varsity Field Hockey Head Coach

Education: 
• Indiana University, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Central Michigan University, M.A. in Sport Administration

Previously: Assistant Field Hockey Coach, Brown University

Why I chose Durham Academy: “I’m thrilled to join Durham Academy because of its outstanding commitment to academic excellence and its vibrant, supportive community. I’m eager to immerse myself in the diverse opportunities for growth and collaboration that the school offers.”