YOUTH SPORTS
braced the school,” Woodbury says.
The coach’s pride in his proteges is evident.
“These kids are making unbelievable sacrifices,” he says.
“Our international students have changed their culture and
lifestyle. Some haven’t seen their families for years.”
Six days a week, they adhere to a grueling schedule of
school, training, and/or study. Living together and training
together has meshed the boys into an amazing, cohesive team.
Woodbury sees what he’s doing not as a business, or even
as an important program. For him, it’s also ministry. Some
of the players living with him pay nothing, because they
have nothing but desire and talent. Others can only fund the
academic program. Local students in the program may have
Florida Step Up for Students scholarships. It’s a mixed bag,
and admittedly unorthodox, but it’s also working.
GOING AN EXTRA YEAR
Another philosophy that Woodbury brought from Maine is
that of the 13th-year, or postgraduate, student/player.
“It’s very popular in the Northeast, but not often seen
here,” Woodbury explains. “A student may need to bring
up SAT scores, is unable to qualify athletically, need an extra
year of maturation or all of the above. I call it a bridge year
between high school and college and I believe it can greatly
improve successful outcomes.”
BCA/The Nation is creating quite a buzz in high school
athletics, performing well at the KSA Events Holiday Basketball
Tournament in December at Disney World and in games
against local teams.
“But just as thrilling to me is when they’re at the house
singing karaoke, or someone asks me to hang his School
Spirit certificate on my wall.
“We needed to make sure this would work,” he says, “and
it has.”
“It has been a win-win situation,” says Reed, explaining
that BCA plans to move to a new, larger location in time for
the 2018-19 year. The Nation’s on-site training facility for
athletics will be part of the campus.
“Eventually, we hope to offer volleyball, football, soccer,
cheerleading, golf, and cross-country,” Woodbury says. The
Nation has “ripped off the rear view mirror. We’re only looking
forward from now on.” E
Port St. Lucie Magazine 35
MIKE ‘WOODY’ WOODBURY
Age: 42
Lives in: Port St. Lucie
Occupation: Owner, The Nation Prep; director of athletics
and business adviser, Barnabas Christian Academy
Family: wife of 17 years, Patty; son Reese; “daughter”
and coach, Elizabeth Bell
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business and sports
management from Thomas College in Waterville,
Maine
Hobbies: Boating and golf
Who inspires me: “I get a little bit from all of the students
I’m around.”
Something most people don’t know about me: “I have a
soft heart. I’m deeper than the time I spend every day as
a coach.”
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