Hall of Fame Class of 2019 member Katherine Dyer Clevenger.
During her time at The First Academy, Katherine was a standout Cross Country and Track athlete. She was a four-time team captain and a two-time state qualifier in Cross Country. Katherine is most remembered as a member of our Lady Royals Track Team as a three-time co-captain and Most Valuable Runner. Katherine won multiple individual district and regional championships and will always be remembered as the second individual state champion in TFA history.
After graduation, Katherine attended Furman University where she ran track her freshman year and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Member Tim DeBoom.
When Tim began working in the finance office at The First Academy he was drafted to coach Track and Field. The athletes enjoyed his fun-loving personality and admired his grit. Over the years they witnessed his tenacity when even after a tough week of chemo treatments, he would still be ready to lace up his shoes for a race on the weekend. It is safe to say that no other TFA coach before Tim taught powerful life lessons by personal example the way he did. Through pain, discouragement, worry, fear, and uncertainty he pressed on and was a role model to all.
During his 14 years at The First Academy, Tim served in many roles including Business Administrator, Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance, and Director of Operations. On the coaching side, Coach DeBoom coached Track and Field and Cross Country. He was named the TFA Coach of the Year for the 2003-2004 school year.
On February 27, 2018, our friend, coach, and colleague Tim heard these words, “Welcome home. You fought the good fight, you finished the race, you kept the faith.”
Tim was a true friend of the program and we miss him every day.
Hall of Fame Class of 2019 member Foster Griffin.
During his time at The First Academy, Foster was a two-sport standout playing excelling in both golf and baseball. During his four years on the golf course, he helped lead the team to a District Championship his senior year.
However, Foster is most remembered for his time on the baseball field. In 2014, the Orlando Sentinel named Foster the best pitcher in Central Florida. His senior year, he led the team with 7 wins, 99 strikeouts and 58 and two-thirds innings pitched. In addition, he helped lead the Royals baseball to a District Championship in 2013 and the USA Baseball National High School Championship in 2014.
After graduation, Foster was selected in the first round with the 28th overall pick by the Kansas City Royals 2014 Major League Baseball Draft. He has been a 3-time Minor League All-Star, pitched in the 2017 MLB Futures Game and has been at each of the minor league levels including Triple-A in Omaha, NE.
TFA Career Highlights
Hall of Fame Class of 2019 member Adam Haseley.
Adam was a standout baseball player during his time at The First Academy. In his senior year, Adam led the team hitting in offense hitting .425 with an on-base percentage of nearly .540. On the mound, his ERA was .34.
After graduation, Adam attended The University of Virginia on a baseball scholarship. During his time at Virginia, Adam was recognized nationally as a Freshman All-American in 2015, third-team All-American in 2016 and a first-team All American in 2017. In addition, he was named a finalist for the John Olerud Two-Way Player Award, a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, and a semi-finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy. His Freshman year, he started all 68 games and helped lead Virginia to the 2015 NCAA National Championship leading the team in batting and starting in game 2 of the Championship series pitching 5 scoreless innings. At the time of this induction, Adam is in the top 10 in school history in 5 different record categories.
In 2017, Adam was selected with the 8th Overall Pick in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. On June 4, 2018, Adam made his major league debut for the Phillies in San Diego and finished the 2019 season in the Big Leagues.
TFA Career Highlights
Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2018 member Kyle Barber
During his time at The First Academy, Kyle was a five sport standout; making his mark in football, basketball, baseball, track & field, and weightlifting. On the football field, Kyle became the “Do it all-athlete” spending time at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and return specialist. In his senior year alone, he had over thirty-one hundred all-purpose yards and twenty-two touchdowns in nine games.
After graduation, Kyle continued his football career at Eastern Kentucky University and was a four-year starter as a wide receiver and return specialist. He also led the Ohio Valley Conference in receptions his senior year, being named to the OVC All-Conference Team.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2018 member Olivia Cole Dickey
Olivia was a three-sport athlete during her time at The First Academy participating in track & field, softball, and soccer. During her time on the track team, Olivia was a District and Regional champion as well as a State runner-up. Olivia is most remembered as a member of the Lady Royals soccer team. During her career, she was a six year-starter on the varsity team, led the program to five consecutive playoff appearances, and won the first two girls soccer District Championships in school history.
After graduation, Olivia went on to play Division 1 Soccer at Samford University. During her time at Samford, she helped lead the Bulldogs to three straight regular-season Southern Conference Championships, including a trip to the NCAA tournament. Olivia was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year twice during her four years.
TFA Career Highlights
Hall of Fame Class of 2018 member Ben DeLuzio
Ben was a two-sport athlete during his time at The First Academy, excelling in football and baseball. On the football field, Ben helped lead the team to its first undefeated regular season and its first trip to the final four in program history. During his senior year, Ben led the team with over twelve hundred All-Purpose yards. On the baseball field, he was a six-year varsity starter. During his senior year, Ben hit .448, had 20 RBI’s and scored 32 runs.
After graduation, Ben was selected with the 80th overall pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft but chose to go play college baseball at Florida State University. During his time at Florida State, Ben was the starting center fielder, a three-time member of the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Team and a 2015 ACC All-Tournament team member. Ben is currently a part of the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system playing double-A.
TFA Career Highlights
Hall of Fame Class of 2017 member Ansley Gebben
Ansley was a standout two-sport athlete during her time at The First Academy participating in both Track and Field and Girls Volleyball. On the track, she won 4 consecutive Class 1A 300 meter hurdle State Championships and still holds 7 school records. During her senior year, she was named an All-American track athlete and finished 5th in the nation in the 400m hurdles.
On the court, she led the Lady Royals Volleyball program to 3 consecutive Class 2A State Championships and was a 5 year Varsity athlete. During her senior year, she was named a Prep Volleyball All American while leading the team to a 29-3 record. She earned over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career. As a Senior, Ansley was named Orange County Athlete of the Year, Orlando Sentinel Athlete of the Year, and won the Female Royal Athlete award.
After graduation, Ansley went onto play Volleyball and run Track at Liberty University. During her time at Liberty she racked up Big South titles, including back to back Volleyball Conference titles, the 2016 outdoor 800 meter dash, and the 2016 indoor and outdoor 4 by 400 meter relays. At the time of her graduation, Ansley owned 4 Liberty University School Records.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2017, 1997-1998 Girls Basketball Team
The 97-98 Girls Basketball team set the bar for Royals Athletics on and off the court. After winning the district championship, the Lady Royals defeated Merritt Island, Arlington Country Day, Aucilla, and Lakeland Evangel to make it to the State Championship game. They finished the year with a record of 28-7 and capped it off with a 48-45 victory over Malone in the State Championship game.
The following year, the Lady Royals repeated as State Champions by defeating Malone again making them back to back champions! Below are the members of the first team state championship in school history:
Chelsea Headley, Lauren Headley, Claire Houck, Missy Herrington Jones, Rebecca Peterson Kassler, Nikki Pounds Kearn, Laurie Wilson Monterosso, Michele Newman Moreman, Rebecca Keene Ray, Ansley Fletcher Schrimsher, Kelly Lutrell Stephenson, Audrey Martinet Walker, Jennifer Hollis Williams
Assistant Coaches: Brian Skellenger, Jimmy Knott
Head Coach: Roy Heintz
Hall of Fame Class of 2017 member Dr. Larry Taylor
During his 12 year tenure at The First Academy, Dr. Taylor served as Boys and Girls Basketball coach, Teacher, Athletic Director, Principal, and Assistant Head of School.
As a coach, Coach Taylor led the Girls Basketball program to the first State Championship game in school history finishing as Class 2A State Runner-Up in the 1994-1995. He also coached the first Boys team to advance to the Regional Final in School History in the 1993-1994 season.
In the early days of The First Academy, Dr. Taylor laid the vision and set the standard of excellence for TFA Athletics as a mission to use Sports as a platform for Jesus Christ. This vision has transformed time and remains a centerpiece of the Foundation of TFA Athletics today.
Hall of Fame Class of 2017 member Roy Heintz
During his 4 year tenure at The First Academy, Roy served as Athletic Director and Girls Basketball Coach leading the Lady Royals to back to back Class 1A State Championships as well as compiling a 72-25 record.
Coach Heintz was a 2 time FACA District Coach of the Year and was elected by his peers to the FHSAA Basketball Advisory Committee during his time at TFA. During his time in Orlando, Roy also served as the Team Chaplin for the Orlando Magic for 8 years.
During Roy’s tenure as Athletic Director at The First Academy, he was responsible for 10 girls and 9 boys interscholastic sports including 35 total teams and 43 coaches. After leaving The First Academy, Coach Heintz was a collegiate coach for 16 years including stops at Florida State University, Covenant College, University of Alabama at Huntsville, and Stetson University.
Hall of Fame Class of 2016 member Jennifer Lutrell Scott
Jennifer was a proud member of the Lady Royals Basketball team, which advanced to the Regional Final and laid the groundwork for the state championship teams to follow. Before graduating, she was the first athlete in school history to sign a division 1 scholarship as she went to Samford University to play Basketball.
Jennifer still holds the record for free throw percentage in her Basketball career at Samford University. During her time there, she received the Scholar Athlete award in 2000 and 2001. Jennifer graduated from Samford with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and went on to graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a doctorate in Physical Therapy.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2016 members Ed and Wanda Gamble
Ed became the second Head of School at The First Academy in 1992 and served in that role until 2003. All three of Ed’s children graduated from The First Academy. During his time at TFA he was remembered for his many stories and the great life lessons that came along with them.
In more than a decade as head of school, he enthusiastically directed the school’s growth both in stature and on the physical campus. Ed’s leadership saw The First Academy’s inaugural graduating class in 1994, TFA’s first merit scholar in 1996, the first division 1 athlete to sign a scholarship in 1997, the opening of The Classical School in 2000, and the construction and opening of The Payne Stewart Athletic Complex in 2000.
Hall of Fame Class of 2015 member David Uth
Dr. David Uth is the current Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Orlando. From his first days in Orlando, Pastor David has embraced and loved The First Academy. Each year he prays with our graduating seniors and can always be seen attending multiple TFA Athletics events each year.
Two of Pastor David’s kids, Andrew and Hannah, are alumni of The First Academy. He has been an unrelenting supporter of TFA Athletics for 10 years.
Hall of Fame Class of 2015 member Kroy Crofoot
Kroy was a volunteer Football Coach at TFA for 17 years and has graduated all 5 of his sons from The First Academy. All 5 went on to be Division 1 Football players. Kroy’s legacy stretches much further than just a football coach as he has impacted many student-athletes lives at The First Academy. In 2008 the Game field was dedicated and named after Kroy for his many years of dedication to TFA Athletics.
Hall of Fame Class of 2015 member Ginger Millsaps
Ginger was part of the inaugural staff at The First Academy and served for 28 years as a TFA Athletics staff member. Both of her children graduated from The First Academy and later came back to serve on staff at TFA.
During her time at TFA she touched more lives than she could have ever imagined. Her desk in the Athletic office was more than a work space, but rather a place for life change and love that only Mrs. Ginger could provide.
Ginger has served alongside and assisted every Athletic Director in TFA’s history and worked directly with every coach for 28 years. She is one of the core reasons TFA Athletics is where it is today.
Hall of Fame Class of 2015 member Steve Newman
Steve began his Basketball career at TFA in 9th Grade and quickly blossomed into one of the best in TFA history. His senior season he was a member of the Class 2A All-State First Team. He is currently the all-time leading rebounder, all-time leading shot blocker, and 5th all-time in most points scored. Steve became the 1st Division 1 Boys Basketball signee in school history, when he signed to play for The University of Georgia.
He continued his Basketball career in Athens where he was a 4 year letterman and started at least one game each year. His sophomore season he was a co-captain of the Bulldogs squad and started all 28 games that year. He averaged just under 20 minutes per game for his career.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2014 member Allison Barr
Allison was a thirteen-year student at The First Academy and a six-year member of the varsity swimming and diving program. She earned back-to-back state diving titles in 2005 and 2006. She was the 2006 Orlando Sentinel Diver of the Year, a three-time Pinch-A-Penny All-Star, three-time high school all-american and four-time “Who’s Who of Sports” honoree.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2014 member Jimmy Knott
Jimmy has been a patron of Royals Athletics since the inception of The First Academy itself. He helped establish the Lady Royals basketball program in 1986. Jimmy has eight FHSAA State Final Four appearances as an assistant coach: five with Lady Royals Basketball and three with Royals Basketball.
He was an assistant coach when the Lady Royals won back-to-back state championships in 1997-98 and 1998-99.
Hall of Fame Class of 2014 member Taylor Young
Taylor is one of the most decorated basketball players in school history. He helped lead The First Academy boys basketball program to back-to-back state final four appearances in 2004-05 and 2005-06. During that run, he broke multiple school records.
In 2006, Taylor was named the Class 2A Player of the Year, first team All-State and was a McDonald’s All-American nominee.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2014 member Charles Cramer, Sr.
Charles Cramer, Sr. has been a staple at The First Academy athletics events for more than twenty years. He has six grandchildren that have attended The First Academy, including three alumni. Mr. Cramer’s grandchildren have participated in multiple Royals and Lady Royals sports, including football, softball and track and field.
Mr. Cramer has been a member of First Baptist Church of Orlando for more than thirty years and been married to his wife, Brenda, for more than 50 years.
Hall of Fame Class of 2013 member Alexa Deluzio Augustine
Alexa began her varsity basketball career at The First Academy in 6th grade. During her high school career she earned three All-Central Florida First Team honors and four All-County and All-State awards. She was also named the Florida Class 2A Player of the Year in 2006 and jointed The First Academy’s exclusive 2,000 point club after leading the Lady Royals to back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007.
Alexa went on to play basketball at Florida State University where she set numerous records on the court. She spent the 2013-14 basketball season on the Lady Royals basketball coaching staff where her Christ-centered leadership was passed on to the next generation of Lady Royals.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2013 member Brittainy Mitchell Millsaps
Brittainy holds the distinction of being the first state champion student-athlete at The First Academy. Brittainy claimed the honor in 1997 as a diver for the Lady Royals. During her high school career, Brittainy earned district and regional titles in addition to her state championship. She went on to dive at Asbury College where she earned national recognition on the one and three meter boards. She also placed third national for two consecutive years. Brittainy is a trailblazer and her deep commitment to excellence set the stage for all future student-athletes at The First Academy.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2013 member Andy Warden, center
Andy Warden was instrumental in the development of the track & field program at The First Academy. His tremendous investments of time, energy and resources paved the way for all of the success that track & field student-athletes have enjoyed at The First Academy.
TFA is also proud to host the Golden South Track Meet, one of the most prestigious track & field events in the country. Mr. Warden sponsors the meet each summer and elite athletes at the high school, collegiate and professional levels gain national exposure.
Completed and dedicated in 2003, Warden Stadium is also a tribute to Mr. Warden’s deep commitment to every student-athlete at The First Academy.
Hall of Fame Class of 2012 member Jake Schrimsher
In the early years of The First Academy’s Athletic Program, Jake Schrimsher played a leading role not only in competition, but in the formation of the standards of excellence TFA is so proud to hold today. As a multi-sport athlete, Jake’s reputation at TFA and in the community is one of talent, perseverance and bold leadership. Because of the example Jake established as a student athlete, TFA is able to inspire those that follow him to strive for that same level of excellence.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2012 member Michele Newman Moreman
As a player and coach at The First Academy, Michele Moreman claimed a total of seven State Championship titles. Michele’s successes in basketball and volleyball at The First Academy earned her a full athletic scholarship at Lynn University, where she holds the title as the only female athlete in the school’s history to earn All-American Status in two sports. After graduating college, Michele returned to The First Academy to continue her legacy of excellence through coaching. Michele will forever be remembered as an athlete and coach that led by example to her teammates as well as players. She taught that championships are achieved through hard work, overcoming obstacles, and performing selflessly to reach the highest levels.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Krystal Thomas
Early in her athletics career at The First Academy, it was apparent that Krystal Thomas was destined for greatness. Krystal’s work ethic and talents were noticed, and it didn’t take long for her to realize her dreams and achieve the goals that she had set at an early age. Three trips to the final four and two State Championship titles stirred the interest of college coaches all over the nation. Krystal was able to live out her childhood dream of playing basketball for Duke University. At the completion of a successful college athletic career, Krystal achieved yet another goal of being drafted into the WNBA, where she currently serves on the roster of the Phoenix Mercury.
TFA Career Highlights:
Hall of Fame Class of 2012 member Pastor Jim Henry
Brother Jim Henry’s vision for the Athletic Program is one of excellence. As the former Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando, Brother Jim laid the foundation for fierce competitive play with a “Champions for Christ” attitude. Since the first TFA football game to recent State Championship titles, Brother Jim has been the Royal’s biggest cheerleader. Whether in the bleachers, on the sidelines, or leading devotion in the huddle, Brother Jim has impacted players, coaches, opponents, and fans with his energy and commitment to honor Christ through athletics. His impact on the Athletic Department of The First Academy continues to permeate today as our athletes continue to strive to perform in a way that glorifies Jesus Christ.
With the same energy and finesse Payne Stewart Successfully demonstrated on the golf course, Payne ignited a campaign to complete the construction of The First Academy’s athletic complex.
Today, athletes and guests enjoy first class facilities that are envied throughout the state. Because Payne dreamed beyond and led the charge to give generously, TFA is blessed to have a facility that is fittingly named The Payne Stewart Athletic Complex.
Payne’s legacy is not only known throughout the world as a golf champion, but to the TFA family as a champion for our students. As a parent, a fan, and an ultimate encourager of our athletes, Payne’s energy and commitment to our program continues to be recognized today as we host events for the youngest of athletes to the highest level of competition in the field of athletics.
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