Athletics

Athletic Academy

The Calvary Athletic Academy is a sports specific training program offered after school for Calvary students in 2nd - 12th Grade. Our mission is to develop the physical aspect of our student-athletes through small-group instruction. We offer a variety of sports such as: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Speed & Agility, Tumbling and Volleyball.

Calvary Athletic Academy Registration

Training Offered

List of 7 items.

Baseball (Hitting/Pitching Fundamentals
Hitting
- One Session:
  - Basic hitter fundamentals such as: grip and hand placement on the bat, proper hitting stance, and basic hitting drills.
- Five Sessions:
  - Hitting off a tee to work on bat path and consistency.
  - Front toss drills for timing and contact point.
  - Bat speed drills to increase power and quickness in the swing.
  - Hitting to all fields and working on situational hitting (e.g., hitting behind runners, hitting with two strikes).
- Ten Sessions:
  - Live pitching simulation to practice hitting against different pitches and speeds.
  - Advanced batting drills to improve pitch recognition and plate discipline.
  - Hitting breaking balls and off-speed pitches effectively.
  - Game simulation and mental approach to hitting under pressure.
Pitching
- One Session:
  - Basic pitcher fundamentals such as: grip and hand placement on the baseball, proper pitching technique, and basic throwing drills.
- Five Sessions:
  - Throwing progression drills for pitching from the stretch and windup.
  - Pitching to both sides of the plate and working on different pitch types (e.g., fastball, curveball, changeup).
  - Catcher-pitcher communication and working on pitch sequences.
- Ten Sessions:
  - Rapid fire pitching drills to simulate game-like situations.
  - Advanced throwing drills to improve delivery and pitching mechanics.
  - Pickoff moves and holding runners on base.
  - Developing off-speed pitches and refining pitch location.
  - Simulated game scenarios and mental approach to pitching.
Boys Basketball (Fundamentals)
Cheer (Tumbling)
- On the first session, athletes should expect a full evaluation of their strength, flexibility, and knowledge in tumbling. In order to make and achieve obtainable goals during our sessions, both myself and the athlete need to know their strengths and weaknesses.
- After the first evaluation and a plan is made, an athlete should expect to see progress in their understanding of their skills, as well as additional strength and flexibility. After the first month, athletes should start to see progression in their skills.
- After 10 sessions, athletes should be able to show visible improvement in strength and flexibility, as well as advancement on skills. Do keep in mind that each athlete progresses and trains at their own pace, and therefore the results can vary. I believe in open communication about the skills being performed, so if any questions or concerns arise, I am happy to work through those with the athlete!
Football (QB/Skill Player/OL and DL Fundamentals)
Quarterback Fundamentals
- One session:
  - Basic Quarterback fundamentals such as: hand placement, proper throwing technique and basic footwork drills
- Five sessions:
  - Basic Quarterback fundamentals such as: hand placement, proper throwing technique and basic footwork drills
  - Footwork progression drills for pocket passing (quick game, 3 step drop 5 step drop)
  - Quick release drills to speed up release with and without the laces on the football
  - Quick game and intermediate throwing to both the right and left
  - Basic mesh drills with Running back working hand offs from shotgun and under center
- Ten Sessions: (Everything covered in 5 Sessions)
  - Rapid fire throwing drills
  - Advanced footwork drills to further improve pocket passing progressing to throwing on the run
  - Sprint out pass game + throwing to avoid pressure
  - Deep Ball throwing progression to improve arm strength and accuracy
Girls Basketball (Fundamentals)
Over the 10-week session, players will be introduced/re-introduced to basic and advanced techniques/drills to build an all-around basketball skill set. The teaching philosophy is centered on simplicity during the skill development process in hopes to build confidence through success.

Training sessions will focus on the following:
- Ball Handling Skills
- Jump Stops and Pivots (Starts & Stops)
- Defense
- Dribbling
- Passing
- Lay‐ups / Finishing
- Shooting
- Court Talk to build Court Awareness
Softball (Hitting Fundamentals)
- One Session:
  - Basic hitter fundamentals such as: grip and hand placement on the bat, proper hitting stance, and basic hitting drills.
- Five Sessions:
  - Hitting off a tee to work on bat path and consistency.
  - Front toss drills for timing and contact point.
  - Bat speed drills to increase power and quickness in the swing.
  - Hitting to all fields and working on situational hitting (e.g., hitting behind runners, hitting with two strikes).
- Ten Sessions:
  - Live pitching simulation to practice hitting against different pitches and speeds.
  - Advanced batting drills to improve pitch recognition and plate discipline.
  - Hitting off-speed pitches effectively.
  - Game simulation and mental approach to hitting under pressure.
Speed & Agility
- One Session:
  - Introduction to speed and agility training.
  - A breakdown on the three pillars of speed and how each improves sprint speed.
  - Introduction to a proper dynamic warm up and cool down.
- Five Sessions:
  - Introduction to proper sprint mechanics, proper running form, quick feet drills, and drills for teaching agility and change of direction.
- Ten Sessions:
  - Introduction of plyometric drills and bodyweight strengthening exercises intended to help develop explosiveness and athleticism in the athlete. Athletes will be introduced to techniques meant to help develop maximal sprint speed.

Sessions are held Mondays through Thursdays. Each student can train for individual sports two times per week. Fridays serve as make-up days in case of inclement weather.

Times Available:
Lower School students
7:10 - 7:50 a.m.
10:20 - 11:00 a.m.
2:45 - 3:25 p.m.

Middle School students
7:10 - 7:50 a.m.
11:10 - 11:50 a.m.
2:40 - 3:25 p.m.

Upper School students
7:05 - 7:50 a.m.
12:05 - 12:50 p.m.
2:40 - 3:25 p.m.

For more information or questions about the Calvary Day Athletic Academy, please contact Laura Spivey at lspivey@calvarydayschool.com.

Calvary Day School is a member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and follows the code of ethics, constitution, and by-laws established by the GHSA, which are available at the GHSA’s website. Our Middle School participates in the Savannah Parochial Athletic League (SPAL). Additionally, our athletes adhere to Calvary Day School’s sportsmanship code of conduct: As ambassadors for Christ, we humble ourselves before the Lord and allow Him to lift us up. We treat our opponents, officials, and spectators with respect. We respect the property and reputation of our opponents as well as that of our own school. In every situation, we will use sound common sense, judgment, and courtesy.

Academy Coaches

List of 7 items.

Laura Spivey - Athletic Academy Director / Softball
Kathryn Alexander - Cheer Tumbling

Kathryn Alexander has been coaching in the Savannah area since 2018. Originally from Eastern Kentucky, she began tumbling at 3, trained in Power Tumbling for eight years, and competed at the Junior Olympics three times. Alexander starting cheerleading in middle school and before graduating high school she won multiple state championships and competed at the National High School Cheerleading Championship six years in a row, where her teams consistently placed in the top five. At the collegiate level, she was part of two National Championship teams. After graduating from college with a bachelor’s in marketing, she started a full-time coaching career at Crowned Elite Athletics in Pooler. Alexander has been with CEA for five years, and this is her second year as Director. She is certified by USASF for levels 1-6 in both tumbling and stunting.
Scepter Brownlee - Boys Basketball
Jason Cameron - Football QB

Coach Jason Cameron graduated from William Paterson University in New Jersey with a BA in History. Coach Cameron began his coaching career at Cliffside Park High School as the quarterback coach and soon took over as Offensive Coordinator. Moving to Savannah in 2011 Coach Cameron began coaching at Jenkins High School and took over as the head football coach in 2017. At Jenkins, Coach Cameron compiled a 33-7 record, two region championships, back to back quarter-final appearances in 2017 & 2018 and a semifinal appearance in 2019. In 2020, Coach Cameron and his staff led the Vidalia Indians to an undefeated region record and their first region championship since 2014.
Daniel Jackson - Girls Basketball

Daniel serves as Calvary Day's Asst. Athletic Director for Operations. His impact is felt in the many areas he coaches and he strives to impact the whole child for growth. Daniel earned a B.A. in Business, Sociology and Justice Studies from Georgia Southern University.
Cornealous Tillman - Speed & Agility

Coach Tillman grew up dedicated to the sports that he played, specifically martial arts, football and track and field. He has four years of experience as an assistant football coach at Shuman Middle School and Mercer Middle School in Chatham County. He is a Certified Personal Trainer, a Certified Speed and Agility Specialist, a Certified Athlete Performance Trainer and a Certified Vertimax Trainer. Coach Tillman is the owner and operator of Elite Speed & Conditioning, LLC. Coach Tillman is committed to using his expertise and dedication to training in order to teach valuable life skills and prepare young athletes and those seeking to improve their physical fitness for various sports.
Stephen Vaughn - Baseball

A native of the Greater Savannah area, Stephen graduated from South Effingham in 2009 where he played for GDC Hall of Fame Coach Tony Kirkland. Vaughn spent two years at East Georgia State College where he was named to the GCAA All-Conference Team in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Following East Georgia, Vaughn signed to play at Missouri Southern State University where he was a member of the MIAA Conference Championship and College World Series team in 2013 and a MIAA All-Conference Team selection in 2014. In four college seasons, primarily as a closer, Vaughn holds multiple season and career records at both EGSC and MSSU as he tossed 148.1 innings over 91 appearances posting a 13-6 record with 18 saves, a 2.91 ERA and a .209 BAA. Entering his 9th season as an assistant high school baseball coach, 3rd at Calvary Day, Coach Vaughn has had the opportunity to work with multiple draft picks and countless college signees throughout his coaching career.