Varsity Athletics

Foundation Academy Athletics is the culmination of years of development, training, and maturation to equip our student-athletes as quality people to impact the world for Christ and have the Heart of a Lion.

Our goal is to ensure that before our athletes leave FA, they are equipped to play at the next level, but more so than that desire is they are prepared to LIVE at the next level.

As our student-athletes graduate, it is our hope the years spent as Lions will be considered some of the best in their life — a place where they built lifelong friendships, found mentors to seek Godly counsel, and above all, have a greater understanding of who they are in Christ.

The Heart of a Lion

At Foundation Academy, student-athletes are pushed to develop The Heart of a Lion. A bold heart that confronts adversity, develops strength, obtains wisdom, faces fears and demonstrates loyalty in their protection of others.

As we build strong Foundation Academy athletes, we want them to lead with pride, focused determination, diligence and fierceness for the task at hand.

FHSAA

Foundation Academy is proud to be a part of the Florida High School Athletic Association, (FHSAA) .

Fall Sports

Boys & Girls Swim

Foundation Academy Swim Team is in its third year. As members of FHSAA, this allows us the opportunity to work toward the state playoffs. In our second year of competing in FHSAA 1A, we had four individual district champions, the Girl’s team finished district runner-up, two individual regional champions, and the Girl’s team finished tied for 10th at the State meet. Looking to start where we left off last year. Foundation calls National Training Center (NTC) home for evening swim practices.

Head Coach: Chad Sundermeyer

Boys & Girls Golf

Foundation Golf competes in the FHSAA 1A classification. Our new head coach, Jonathan West is excited to develop this young program. Last year our Number One golfer made it to the regional tournament. Orange County National Golf Center is the Lion’s new home away from home. Practices are held three times a week after school.

Head Coach: Jonathan West

Boys & Girls Cross Country

FA Cross Country ran all summer in order to be ready for another amazing season. Last year, the Lions competing in FHSAA 1A saw both boys’ and girls’ teams make it to regionals and the boys advancing to the State! If you drive on campus before 6 a.m., be careful, you may see our Lions out there getting an early practice in to beat the heat.

Head Coach: Lisa Amat
Assistant Coach: James Grosshans

Football

Foundation Academy Football boasts of a rich tradition of success under the leadership of Coach Brad Lord. Competing in FHSAA Class 2A we face some of the best competition in the State. Our Lions consistently go deep into the playoffs, competing in Regional Finals four times in the last 6 years. Since the onset of the Football program in 2006, we have had the pleasure of witnessing 29 players sign to play on the next level. Thanks to many generous donors and the hard work of President Dave Buckles, the Lions have their stadium located on the Tilden Campus. Football trains all summer in the morning and once school starts, practices move to after school.

Head Coach: Andre Walker
Assistant Coach:

Volleyball

Foundation Academy Volleyball competes in the FHSAA Class 2A. Last year, our Lady Lions captured the 2A-6 District Championship before a packed gym! The Lady Lions finished their 2019 season at the Regional Finals. Coach Vicky continues to grow the FA program through her knowledge of the game, her love for our athletes and her faithful nurturing of her staff.

Head Coach: Vicki Veloz
Assistant Coach: Joel King

Winter Sports

Boys & Girls Soccer

Foundation Academy Soccer starts the 2020 year as defending District Champions, clinching that title for the third year in a row. Competing in the FHSAA Class 2A, the Lions have become a solid program that rival schools look to beat. Summer training is a part of the development of our athletes. Our teams are blessed with a practice field behind the gymnasium and on the game night, the teams compete in the stadium complex, called Lion Field. Levels Offered: Middle School, JV, and Varsity

Head Coach: Scott Hussey
Assistant Coach: Daniel McDowall

Our Lady Lions continue to develop into a solid program. Coach James Grosshans has spent the summer training our athletes. These young ladies will find success in how hard they train and will reap the rewards of their dedication and hard work. Competing in the FHSAA Class 2A affords us a good balance of competition. Our teams are blessed with a practice field behind the gymnasium and on game night, the teams compete in the stadium complex, called Lion Field.

Levels Offered: Middle School and Varsity

Head Coach: Bruce Strine
Assistant Coach: Alyson Fagan

Boys & Girls Basketball

Foundation Basketball is coming under new leadership this year. Coach Nathaniel Hughes, whose passion for the fundamentals of the game will give our program a solid foundation for success. Competing in FHSAA Class 3A allows the Lions to face some of the best teams in the state. This is viewed by our coaching staff and athletes as a challenge they intend to conquer. Practices and games are held on campus in Leiferman Gymnasium. Space is a blessing that we have at Foundation, with two full courts for practice and one full game court.

Levels Offered: 6th grade,7th-grade team, 8th-grade team, JV, and Varsity

Head Coach: Nathaniel Hughes
Assistant Coach: Bill McLaughlin, Chris Bateman

The Lady Lions are the defending FHSAA Class 3A-10 three-peat District Champions. This is a very young and talented team that will continue to grow up together. This program is led by WNBA stand-out Krystal Thomas-Smith. We know that she possesses the tools to develop this program into a winning tradition. Practices and games are held on campus in Leiferman Gymnasium. Space is a blessing that we have at Foundation, with two full courts for practice and one full game court.

Levels Offered: Middle School and Varsity

Head Coach: Krystal Thomas-Smith
Assistant Coach: Jeff Michels

Competitive Cheer

Under the leadership of Rachel Carey our Lady Lions came from a struggling program to center stage. Competitive Cheer is a three-peat regional champion and the 2022 State Champion.

Levels Offered: Varsity

Head Coach: Rachel Carey
Assistant: Kristen Johnson

Girls Weightlifting

Levels Offered: Varsity

Head Coach: Christie Thompson
Assistant: Tim Wilkins

Spring Sports

Boys & Girls Track & Field

Track is a sport that is a favorite at Foundation. Last year, we had 40 plus athletes jockeying for position. We added the Javelin event which opened up more possibilities for our program to grow. The season started with a lot of success but was cut short due to the COVID-19. We are excited for the coming year and the success of our athletes as we compete in the FHSAA Class 1A State Series. We do not have a track, but our coaches make do with creating practice space throughout our very spacious campus.

Levels Offered: Middle School and Varsity

Head Coach: Tisifinee Taylor
Assistant Coaches: Lisa Amat

Baseball

Our mission for Foundation Academy baseball is to establish a baseball organization of young men who compete at the highest echelon of high school athletics while learning the values and skills to succeed not only at the next level of baseball but also in life.

Levels Offered: Middle School Junior Varsity, and Varsity

Head Coach: Dakoda Grove
Assistant Coaches: Anthony Dorak

Softball

Lady Lions’ softball is another team that is made up of very young but talented softball players. The future is bright, and we believe that if they stay together, they will be state contenders. Coach Destinee Quarterman has a wealth of talent to work with and will continue to pull their potential to the forefront. We were blessed by our boosters with a covered batting cage that adds to our ability to focus on hitting. New bullpens are being put in for our 2021 season. Our softball fields are located in our athletic complex beside Lion Field.

Levels Offered: Middle School and Varsity

Head Coach: Tate McLellann
Assistant Coach: Armand Winters

Lacrosse

Foundation Lacrosse is in its second year of Lacrosse. After a solid first year, the excitement for this program is growing. Coach Victor Rodriquez brings both playing experience and travel ball coaching experience to the program, and he understands what it takes to be successful in this sport, challenging our athletes to not just be great Lacrosse players but to be great men. FA Lacrosse plays as an Independent this year but will move into FHSAA Class 1A in the 2021-2022 AY year. Lacrosse practices on the practice field and competes on Lion Field.

Levels Offered: Varsity

Head Coach: Victor Rodriguez
Assistant: Eric Huntley

Boys & Girls Tennis

Foundation Tennis is growing and getting stronger every year. Students are beginning to understand that this is a sport that must be practiced year-round. Coach Brian Barnard does a great job of balancing experienced players and those that are trying new things. Last year was a solid start for the Lions, but the ending of 2020 remains unwritten. The Lions currently practice at Veteran’s Park and play away matches. There are tennis courts in the future plans for Foundation Academy. Competing in the FHSAA state series is a goal that we plan to achieve in the coming year.

Levels Offered: Girls Middle School and Varsity, Boys Middle School and Varsity

Head Coach: Mary Haag

Sand Volleyball

FHSAA has sanctioned Sand Volleyball for the AY 2020-2021. This will be our first year to compete in SV due to an abrupt ending to 2020 athletics. We are excited about this extension to our indoor volleyball program. Coach Vicky Veloz and Coach Maddy Mueller plan to take their expertise of the game and carry it over to the sand courts. Thanks to The Seip Family, we have our own sand court located behind the gymnasium.

Levels Offered: Varsity

Head Coach: Brandon Kari
Assistant Coach: Vicky Veloz

Boys Weightlifting

Levels Offered: Varsity

Head Coach: Andre Walker
Assistant Coach: Denzel Irvin

Program Highlights

Our Varsity Program boasts 22 sports, 11 Boys & 11 Girls. We are a part of the FHSAA and compete in the PAC 8 (Private School Athletic Conference). Which provides the opportunity for our athletes to compete among their peers in the Orlando Metro Area.

Incorporated Biblical Worldview

At the heart fo Foundation Academy Athletics is Christ. Our goal is to use athletics as an opportunity to win hearts and have our athletes become warriors for Christ. We call it The Heart of a Lion.

Fundamentally Sound

With every athletic endeavor we undertake, it is our desire to be great. Our belief is greatness is achieved by mastering the fundamentals. Our coaches pride themselves on teaching, drilling and practicing the fundamentals of each sport in order to cath greatness along the way.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

Foundation Academy Athletics is committed to the pursuit of Christ in all we do, including our efforts on the athletic field. Fellowship of Christian Athletes has a long, rich and steep tradition in using the vehicle of athletics to reach youth in the name of our Lord and Savior. Our athletes meet each week for devotionals with Huddle leaders at all levels, complemented with prayer at practices, workouts and games. In The Heart of a Lion is Jesus Christ.

Prepared to Compete at the Next Level

Foundation Academy Athletics is proud that many of our athletes go on to play at the collegiate level. We take pride in our efforts to prepare all of our student-athletes for the next level, from reinforcing and mastering the fundamentals and fostering a team mentality, to helping them find their identity in Christ.

Foundation Academy Athletics is building quality people through attention to detail one day at a time.