Announcement
PHOENIX, Ariz. — May 30, 2026 — SSS Academies announced that Nick Weaver, M.Ed., has been named Director of Education, overseeing the academic programming, curriculum integration, NCAA eligibility compliance, and student-athlete academic support systems at the academy's campus within Fire 'n' Ice Sports Arena.
In this role, Weaver will lead the design and delivery of SSS Academies' flexible academic model — a school-integrated approach that allows student-athletes to pursue rigorous coursework alongside daily sport-specific training. His responsibilities will include academic pathway development, teacher and academic coach coordination, NCAA eligibility guidance, college-readiness programming, and family communication around academic progress.
Weaver brings more than a decade of experience building academic-athletic integration models. He holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Administration, and previously served as Academic Coach at EdKey's Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning — a tuition-free public charter school network accredited by Cognia and recognized by the Arizona Department of Education.
“The SSS Academies model takes what we built at Hillcrest with EdKey and Sequoia Choice and elevates it — a fully integrated campus where academics, athletics, and character development happen under one roof, with professional facilities, dedicated academic coaches, and a clear pathway to college.”
— SSS Academies Education VisionNick Weaver's Professional Timeline
Ironwood High School — Glendale, AZ
Standout basketball player at Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona. Graduated and pursued collegiate basketball.
Collegiate Basketball Career
Played at South Mountain Community College (JUCO) before transferring to Cleveland State University (NCAA Division I, Horizon League) as a 6-4 shooting guard. Experienced the student-athlete journey firsthand — balancing academics, athletics, and personal development.
Hillcrest Prep — Co-Founder, Program Director, Academic Coach
Co-founded Hillcrest Prep, Arizona's premier basketball prep program. Built the academic-athletic integration model partnering with EdKey/Sequoia Choice. Served as Academic Coach, Head Coach, Recruiting Director, and Program Director. The program produced the #1 and #2 picks in the 2018 NBA Draft (Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III) and sent dozens of players to NCAA Division I programs.
SSS Academies — Director of Education
Named Director of Education at SSS Academies, bringing the proven academic-athletic model to a multi-sport campus at Fire 'n' Ice Sports Arena. Responsible for curriculum design, academic coaching, NCAA compliance, and college-readiness pathways for all student-athletes.
How Nick Weaver Will Lead SSS Academies Education
🎓 Academic Design & Delivery
- Design flexible academic pathways that integrate with daily training schedules
- Coordinate with accredited online and distance learning partners
- Ensure all coursework meets NCAA eligibility requirements
- Implement data-informed academic progress tracking
🏆 Student-Athlete Support
- Provide academic coaching and mentorship for grades 9–12 athletes
- Guide college-readiness and recruiting preparation from an academic perspective
- Coordinate family communication around academic progress and goals
- Build a culture of accountability, discipline, and academic excellence
The EdKey / Sequoia Choice Connection
EdKey Inc. operates Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning — a tuition-free, Cognia-accredited public charter school serving K–12 students across Arizona. The school specializes in flexible, personalized learning for students who need non-traditional academic environments, including student-athletes at sports prep academies.
Sequoia Choice's partner programs specifically include Sports Prep Academies as a core partnership category. Nick Weaver served as Academic Coach within this model, bridging the gap between Hillcrest Prep's basketball programming and Sequoia Choice's accredited academic coursework. This experience directly informs the SSS Academies education model.
“At Hillcrest, we proved that student-athletes can compete at the highest levels while maintaining academic excellence. SSS Academies takes that model and gives it a permanent home with world-class facilities.”
— SSS Academies Education LeadershipThe SSS Academies Academic Model
📚 Curriculum Framework
- Flexible scheduling: morning academics, afternoon training
- Accredited online and blended coursework
- NCAA Division I, II, and III eligibility-compliant pathways
- College-prep and AP-level course access
- Alpha1 AI-powered tutoring and personalized learning
🎯 College-Readiness Pathways
- SAT/ACT preparation and test-taking strategies
- Transcript management and GPA optimization
- College application guidance and essay support
- Academic recruiting profile development
- Financial aid and scholarship navigation
🌟 Why This Matters for Arizona Student-Athletes
Weaver's appointment ensures that SSS Academies' education model is led by someone who has lived the student-athlete experience, built academic systems for prep athletes, holds advanced credentials in educational leadership, and understands the NCAA compliance landscape. For Arizona families, this means their student-athletes will have a Director of Education who has personally navigated the academic-athletic balance and built systems that produced Division I scholars and professional athletes.
👤 About Nick Weaver, M.Ed.
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Administration (3.74 GPA)
- Former Academic Coach at EdKey/Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning
- Co-founder and Program Director of Hillcrest Prep — Arizona's premier basketball prep program
- Former NCAA Division I student-athlete (Cleveland State University)
- Expertise in organizational leadership, team development, culture-building, and change management
- Served as grade-level chair providing instructional leadership
🏛 About SSS Academies
- Elite sports academy and technology center for grades 9–12 student-athletes
- Located within Fire 'n' Ice Sports Arena — a 250,000 sq ft multi-sport campus in Phoenix
- School-integrated model: flexible academics + daily sport-specific training + college-pathway support
- Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Hockey, Figure Skating, and more
- Opening August 2026 at 2727 W Bronco Butte Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Media Contact
📞 Press Contact
SSS Academies / Fire 'n' Ice Sports Arena
2727 W Bronco Butte Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85050
(602) 314-2552
info@sssacademies.org