DME Academy at SJNA

Leadership Lives Here at SJNA. Explore the brand new partnership between these two prestigious institutions, and "Ignite the Dream" today.

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NEW in 2023 - DME + SJNA

DME at SJNA is an exciting new partnership between the two academic institutions.

Starting in the 2023-24 academic year, SJNA and DME will work together to amplify the sports program. The joint venture kicks off with 11 year NBA veteran Wesley Person, currently at DME Academy in Daytona, Florida, taking the reins of the basketball program at SJNA. This move is the beginning of what both academies expect to be a deeper relationship whereby DME Academy will lead and grow all sports programs at the SJNA campus in Wisconsin. 

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The DME Difference

Commited Coaching

With decades of NBA experience, our hand selected staff is aggregated by legendary coach Dan Panaggio. With years of professional experience our team brings out the best in student-athletes as we continually compete with the best of the best.

Elite Training

Training every day with motivated athletes prepares us for the tough competition that we face on the court. We offer advanced strength and conditioning programs, an elite sports performance facility, mental training sessions & video technology to give an edge to our aspiring student- athletes.

Mindful Methodology

We believe that a positive & nurturing environment brings out the best in all athletes. Positive words have an encouraging impact on a person's confidence and are vital for healthy development. Our mindfulness methodology is engrained in our program.

Family Oriented

We recognize the importance of a strong work-life balance. The flexibility the DME Academy provides is unmatched. We take pride in how we work with our athlete's families regarding scheduling conflicts. Our commitment to training is unwavering yet flexible.

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The Foundation for Success At SJNA

Dan Panaggio

Dan Panaggio

Dan is the Co-Founder of DME Academy and head of all basketball operations. He has coached three NBA teams as well as a trio of the most prestigious NCAA Division I programs including Oklahoma, Indiana, and Marquette.

A student of the game, Dan was a standout player for a State University of New York at Brockport team to an NCAA Final Four berth as a sophomore. He is a member of their Hall of Fame and is still the leading scorer in school history.

Dan is the Co-Founder of DME Academy and head of all basketball operations. He has coached three NBA teams as well as a trio of the most prestigious NCAA Division I programs including Oklahoma, Indiana, and Marquette.

A student of the game, Dan was a standout player for a State University of New York at Brockport team to an NCAA Final Four berth as a sophomore. He is a member of their Hall of Fame and is still the leading scorer in school history.

Panaggio went on to a successful coaching career as well at all levels. He served as head coach of the Quad City Thunder for nine seasons, and owns a career record of 313-191, winning Continental Basketball Association championships in 1994 and 1998.

Dan was an assistant coach to Maurice Cheeks with the Portland Trailblazers from 2001 to 2005. Considered one of the top experts in the NBA game when it comes to the triangle offense made popular by Phil Jackson. He was brought on as an assistant in the Laker organization for four years and has two NBA Championship rings to show for his efforts there.

Dan was named the Chinese NBA coach of the year in 2012 as head coach of Yao Ming’s Shanghai Sharks. After four years, he went on as a special assistant with the Phoenix Sun’s organization.

Dan understands the game and has assembled a coaching staff that believes in DME Academy. A leader of boys & girls, Dan sets the tone for a DME Academy program that is already considered elite, but still growing!

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Wesley Person

Wesley Persons

Wesley’s incredible resume boasts 11 years as a player in the NBA spending his first year in the league with the Phoenix Suns, going 23rd overall in the 1994 NBA Draft.

When his playing career came to an end, Wesley transitioned into a coaching role, spending the last 20 plus years mentoring the next generation of athletes. Prior to joining DME in 2022, Persons was the head coach of the Greenville High School Tigers in Greenville, Alabama where he was named 2021 Coach of the Year.

Wesley’s incredible resume boasts 11 years as a player in the NBA spending his first year in the league with the Phoenix Suns, going 23rd overall in the 1994 NBA Draft. His accolades include leading the league in minutes played, three-pointers taken, and percentage made during the 1997-98 season and spending seven years of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

When his playing career came to an end, Wesley transitioned into a coaching role, spending the last 20 plus years mentoring the next generation of athletes. Prior to joining DME in 2022, Persons was the head coach of the Greenville High School Tigers in Greenville, Alabama where he was named 2021 Coach of the Year.

Wesley’s passion for teaching basketball IQ and mentoring athletes has made him a successful and beloved coach. Being part of the lives of the kids who are members of his team is his way of giving back to a sport that gave so much to him.

Wesley’s coaching philosophy is simple: teach an athlete once and your job is done. When coaches give athletes the tools to be successful, it enables them to figure out how to adapt their playing style to what’s needed to succeed. It also guarantees they won’t make the same mistake twice.

Even with a history of winning on high-school, collegiate, and national stages, Wesley considers the ultimate win seeing his players be successful in life and being given the opportunity to choose where they want to take their careers next.

Wesley’s passion for teaching basketball IQ and mentoring athletes has made him a successful and beloved coach. Being part of the lives of the kids who are members of his team is his way of giving back to a sport that gave so much to him.

“I have a different coaching style for each athlete. As a coach, you have to identify the best practices of each player – how to communicate with them and what they need to improve on so you can help them take their skills to the next level,” says Wesley, “If athletes put in the work, it gives them a higher chance of advancing their career. I’m always looking ahead at how I can prepare them for whatever is next.”

Wesley’s coaching philosophy is simple: teach an athlete once and your job is done. When coaches give athletes the tools to be successful, it enables them to figure out how to adapt their playing style to what’s needed to succeed. It also guarantees they won’t make the same mistake twice.

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St. John's Northwestern

Difference

Global Population

Broaden your horizons and join a global academy. Our diverse community is truly international as 35 percent of students come from outside the United States.

Academic Excellence

SJNA offers 52 college credits along with a fully immersive STEM curriculum. Students can benefit from a 10-1 student to teacher ratio and a full academic support system and test themselves in engineering, computer science, drones and cyber security, along with our music program and one of a kind Pipes and Drums program.

College Scholarships

Attending SJNA will set your child on the runway to success, this year’s senior class received over $4 million in college scholarships.

Career Certificiations

Students can earn their Private Pilot License and their EMT State Certification through our Aviation Science and Initial Emergency Medical Technician Program

DME Academy - Proven History

DME has a rich history of placing student athletes at the next level. From NCAA Division I to Division III all the way to the National Basketball Association, DME is your path to the top!

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Keegan Murray DME '20

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The Campus

Want to see more of St. John’s Northwestern? Take a guided tour and meet some of our incredible faculty and staff as they walk you through our beautiful campus.

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Ignite the Dream Today!