Developing the Entire Student-Athlete

By Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Most schools are doing a disservice to their students

It's a sad reality that most schools today are doing a terrible, and in many cases irreversible, disservice to the students they are entrusted to educate. Far too often their priorities are out of whack and the truly important things students need to learn end up being sacrificed on the altar of cultural fads.

And this is especially true when it comes to boys, and all the more important during the crucial pre-teen development years.

But you can enhance your son's athletic and academic performance

How valuable is a school for athletes that understands and deals straight up with the fact that boys need physical activity, on a daily basis, and that getting that physical activity improves their academics?

What if that same school offers its student-athletes an elite classical education?

What if that school actually encourages the boys to be competitive? Won't that yield benefits that go above and beyond just sports and academics?

Boys excel in such an environment. And the benefits last a lifetime.

So let’s get to it. Here are my 7 top reasons for boys to attend a school for athletes like Bridgedale Academy.

Grabko, Glynn & Thiesing Getting Recognized

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy  

Bridgedale Academy is proud to congratulate 3 of its graduates who were recently drafted in Phase 2 of the USHL Draft. Two of the three, Nicky Grabko and Jimmy Glynn, are 2000 birth year student-athletes and the third, Therien Thiesing, is from Bridgedale's 2003 birth year group.

“The 2000's and the 03's were both outstanding groups,” said Bridgedale Headmaster Mike McPartlin, "and Nicky, Jimmy and Therien embody those same qualities of being unusually focused and mature at a young age. They are now reaping the benefits from their hard work and dedication. They are not only outstanding athletes, but also fine young men of good character. We are very proud of them and what they already have and will continue to accomplish.” 

Nicky Grabko

Nicky, a goaltender, was selected in the 4th Round by the Green Bay Gamblers, the 47th pick overall. Nicky now competes for the Minot Minotauros of the NAHL. He is not yet college committed.

“Thank you so much for all you did for Nicky. It can be tough for a goalie, but Bridgedale not only gave him the opportunity to train on a regular basis with a goalie instructor, but also he was able to compete on day-to-day with so many other outstanding players.”

Rob Grabko, Nicky's Dad

Burnside, Haskins & Silich will suit up for USA

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy  

Bridgedale Academy is proud to congratulate three (3) of its graduates who were selected to represent the USA at the prestigious 2019 Five Nations Tournament.

Davis Burnside, Tyler Haskins and Jack Silich were recently named to the USA Hockey roster for the tournament, which will be held from August 13-17 in Fuessen, Germany.

“It's a tremendous tournament and obviously a tremendous honor for Davis, Tyler and Jack,” said Bridgedale Headmaster Mike McPartlin. "It's always exciting for us when our graduates are rewarded for their dedication, focus and hard work.”

Davis Burnside

Davis, a forward, recently signed as a tender with the USHL's Tri-City Storm, effectively becoming their 1st Round pick. Davis is verbally committed to the Ohio State University.

"Investing in Bridgedale helped Davis immensely. He loved the experience and misses it every day, the whole thing, the academics, the peer group mindset. No doubt - Bridgedale had a huge impact getting him to where he is today.”

Brad Burnside, Davis's Dad 

Burnside, Haskins, Rivelli, Silich & Williams Make their Mark

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy 

Bridgedale Academy is extremely proud to congratulate 5 of its graduates who were recently drafted in Phase 1 of the USHL Draft. The five, Davis Burnside, Tyler Haskins, Dominick Rivelli, Jack Silich and Gunnar Williams, are all 2003 birth year student-athletes. 

“This was an outstanding group,” said Bridgedale Headmaster Mike McPartlin. “They were sponges in the sense that they were open to input, and willing to make changes to improve. We saw it in their dedication, focus and maturity - as athletes for sure, but also academically and as young men of character. We are very proud of them and their successes.” 

Davis Burnside

Davis signed as a tender with the Tri-City Storm, effectively becoming their 1st Round pick. Davis is verbally committed to the Ohio State University.

"Investing in Bridgedale helped Davis immensely. He loved the experience and misses it every day, the whole thing, the academics, the peer group mindset. No doubt - Bridgedale had a huge impact getting him to where he is today.”

Brad Burnside, Davis's Dad 

Many Reasons to Stay Positive

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Advice from Coaches who Get it

A while back we interviewed head coaches from each of the four Illinois Tier 1 AAA organizations. The main question we asked was: what is the best advice they can offer to parents during AAA tryout season.

They said there were the 7 primary things to keep in mind.

Now 7 Bridgedale grads with NTDP ties

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

We are proud to congratulate three (3) Bridgedale Academy graduates who have been chosen to compete for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP) for the 2019-20 season. 

The announcement that Sean Behrens, Jack Devine and Colby Saganiuk had been selected to be on next season's Under-17 team makes it seven (7) Bridgedale Academy grads who will have played for the NTDP.

They will etch their names alongside the likes of Jacob Pivonka (Notre Dame), Spencer Stastney (Notre Dame), Bode Wilde (NY Islanders signee) and Zak Karpa (future Princeton) as Bridgedale grads to compete for the NTDP.

Camp takes place March 21-25, 2019

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

We are proud to congratulate five (5) Bridgedale Academy graduates who have been invited to USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP) Evaluation Camp later this month. 

Getting to the Next Level

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

How can a player get to the next level?

Every year thousands of youth hockey players try out for their next season’s teams. Virtually all are trying to “get to the next level.” In Illinois the next level might be AAA, or it might be their club’s Central States or Gold level teams. In some cases it might simply be making that first travel team.

How can a youth hockey player "guarantee" his own success?

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

What kind of mindset does a player need to realize his full potential?

The burden of doing what is necessary to an athlete's development falls squarely on the shoulders of the individual athlete.

Parents indeed do play a crucial role when the athlete is younger. But ultimately it is up to the athlete to do what he must to turn his potential into reality.

To do this the athlete must develop a certain mindset.

It is a mindset that will allow the player to do those 7 key things that "must" be done, i.e. for the player to eventually realize his full potential.

And ultimately, this mindset is dependent on what I'll call a "crucial understanding."

First I'll address the 7 "keys" ... and then the crucial understanding. 

See for yourself why Bridgedale Academy is so incredible