<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3xENeO_0ttuNCZe00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3xENeO_0ttuNCZe00" width="1500" height="1000" ></figure>BRADENTON, FL (EYT) – On May 21, 2024, years of hard work both as an athlete and sports business executive culminated into a historic milestone for DuBois native Mike Milliron.The DuBois Central Catholic graduate was named the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IMG Academy Campus; preparatory boarding school and sports training destination in Bradenton, Florida. He can even be considered one of the “big men on campus”, although his hard work and relatability hardly fits this sort of sentiment(Photos courtesy of IMG Academy)“I can say confidently this is absolutely a dream job for me right now,” said Milliron. “What we do at IMG Academy to empower young people for life is world class. It’s a crazy responsibility to operate this academy, but it’s mostly really cool. I know it will be a fun role to continue to have and it brings exceptional responsibility. Our brand here at IMG Academy is about as strong of a brand in sports as there is in the world.”IMG Academy has grown and molded into a billion dollar business and features a one-of-a-kind sports and recreation experience on its over 600 acre campus. The co-education preparatory school has featured athletes from over 60 different countries in grades six through post-graduates in nine primary sports; baseball, basketball, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track &amp; field. The institution has produced both college and professional talent in every sport at a significant rate and has become internationally known as one of the most coveted prep schools to attend in the entire world.For Milliron, a native of DuBois, it’s a much more unique landscape as opposed to what he experienced growing up. Much of the immediate area features either Catholic or public high schools with a few exceptions. He attended the Catholic school system in DuBois from kindergarten through senior year and is a proud DuBois Central Catholic Cardinal alumni. “So much of my support system, like my parents, remains in DuBois,” said Milliron. “The era I grew up in was a truly talented group. We won a state title in Senior Little League and one in varsity baseball as well. It was truly an amazing friend group who had a lot of fun playing together. That team had chemistry like no other team I’ve ever been on. It was such a cool experience to grow up where I did and attend school at DuBois Central Catholic.”Milliron played four years of college baseball at nearby Penn State University. His .354 batting average as a senior in 2005 was a big part in helping Milliron to become a 30th round Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft choice in the 2005 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. The Colorado Rockies selected Milliron to play both infield and outfield for their organization, something he did for two professional seasons before deciding to start a new chapter in his career.Sports did not go far in his next chapter as he moved on to Ohio University where he earned a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). He spent the summer months interning for Penn State University Athletics before returning to Ohio University to earn a second master’s degree in Sports Administration and Facility Management. He also spent around a year’s time working for Ohio University Bobcats Athletics. But Pennsylvania called him home once again and Penn State University in particular.Milliron returned to Penn State for another stint from 2009 to 2011 as the Major Gifts Officer, Varsity ‘S’ Club Coordinator for Penn State Athletics. However, he saw himself outside of Pennsylvania and wanted to move south. Milliron first arrived on IMG Academy’s campus during the summer between his freshman and sophomore year of college at Penn State to play, train, and workout heading into his sophomore season. The connections he made and the impression the institution made on him helped him to take this initial chance as a Student-Athlete Advisor beginning in 2011. Over the years, Milliron has served in eight different departments and became acquainted with and familiar with so many people and aspects of IMG Academy. His career has spanned over 13 years in total with the institution.“It’s been a wild ride, but I’ve been fortunate to have a career that’s built on itself in a lot of ways. I’ve come to know so many coaches, staff members, and students who have all helped me connect so many of the dots of who we are and what we do here at IMG Academy. Although I’ve been here for 13 years, I feel like I’ve had like five or six different careers here. It’s been fun and I’m thankful to have built so many strong relationships during my time here.”IMG Academy has also brought some incredible mentors into his life who he credits for helping him to reach this COO distinction in his career. Sam Zussman, Tim Pernetti, and Chip McCarthy are former executives for IMG Academy, who continue to find success in business and sports business to this day. Zussman is the CEO at BSE Global, Pernetti is the Commissioner of American Athletic Conference, and McCarthy is the Strategic Advisor of IMG Academy. These three men have each provided unique insight, leadership style, and examples to Milliron to become the strong leader he is today. Each one of them being willing to make hard decisions and understanding how to put people into positions to be successful are the characteristics he’s learned from them most at this stage in his career.As a successful businessman, Milliron hopes young professionals can understand that they should be focused on adding value no matter what role they are in. “Finding out how to learn from and teach people who are seated above, equal, or below you in an organization is incredibly important. Treating them all with the same respect and building alongside them will set you up for success. Knowing and genuinely caring for people also cannot be underestimated and will take you a long way in your career.”The small-town values Mike Milliron possesses have carried him to nearly the top of the organizational chart of one of the most prestigious sports education institutions in the world. IMG Academy only continues to grow and gain a better reputation both domestically and abroad. The education and opportunities at IMG Academy are world class. The strong tradition of IMG Academy started over four decades ago, but continuing and building upon this excellence is where Mike Milliron and his colleagues find themselves in their careers. “I love to work and work hard. I’m passionate about what I’m doing and I’ve truly had fun daily at IMG Academy,” he said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=32T5Lu_0ttuNCZe00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=32T5Lu_0ttuNCZe00" width="819" height="1024" ></figure></div></body>

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BIG MAN ON CAMPUS: DuBois Native Mike Milliron Named COO of IMG Academy Bradenton Campus

BRADENTON, FL (EYT) – On May 21, 2024, years of hard work both as an athlete and sports business executive culminated into a historic milestone for DuBois native Mike Milliron. The DuBois Central Catholic graduate was named the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IMG Academy Campus; preparatory boarding school...

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS: DuBois Native Mike Milliron Named COO of IMG Academy Bradenton Campus

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