2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
WELCOME TO TPH
Grand Rapids
"Thank you for your interest in TPH Academy Grand Rapids. We are committed to providing the ideal environment paired with hands-on instruction to help student-athletes achieve their academic and athletic goals while developing as a person. Throughout a meticulously regimented schedule, our professional team is always prepared to support all our student-athletes inside and outside the game."
- Taylor Keyworth, Director, TPH Grand Rapids
ourApproach
At TPH Academy Grand Rapids, our student-athletes Study, Train, and Play every day. Each week, a typical schedule includes the following breakdown:
0+
ACADEMIC HRS/WK0+
SPORT SPECIFIC HRS/WKFrom public speaking contests to finance clubs, we are focused on providing our student-athletes with opportunities that fit their interests and allow them to learn valuable life skills.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Part of attending TPH Academy is ensuring our student-athletes are connected with their communities and understand the value of providing their time and support. All of our locations take part in community service projects from raking leaves across the neighborhood to assisting at soup kitchens.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Our guest speakers bring new perspectives and ample experience from their trade and life. Our student-athletes have been fortunate enough to have been visited by guests, including current professional athletes, coaches, and referees. Our guests are not just limited to the industry of sport but include business executives, marketing specialists, psychologists, and physical therapy experts, among others.
FIELD TRIPS
We make a conscious effort to ensure our student-athletes get exposure to many different experiences. Previous field trips have included museums, professional sports facilities, college campuses, and more.
SAMPLE DAY
8:05 a.m.
Arrival
8:10 a.m.
Academics
9:15 a.m.
Video/Warm-Up
10:00 a.m.
Training - Sport
11:05 a.m.
Training - Gym
12:00 p.m.
Lunch/Break
12:50 p.m.
Academics
2:50 p.m.
Activity/Break
3:00 p.m.
Academics
4:00 p.m.
Depart
OUR ACADEMICS ARE
Customized
Working with our trusted education partners, we offer a completely customized platform where individuals study online with certified instructors. The TPH Academy Blended Learning Environment is deliberately designed for student-athletes. It combines in-person learning guidance with the latest educational technology and virtual academic resources. Course progress is actively supervised and optimized in real-time by our academic leaders. Student-athletes are prepared to become independent, self-starting college freshmen through our mastery-based learning approach.
The TPH Academy blended learning environment combines an online curriculum, on-site infrastructure, and academic support. Academic leaders are in the classroom working with students to ensure a positive learning environment, accountability, a personalized structure and accelerated learning programs as they train for their sport.
Through our trusted education partners, our academy course library provides student-athletes with access to NCAA-approved core classes, an extensive collection of AP offerings, and over 80 custom electives, including foreign languages, arts, and more. All graduating student-athletes will receive a private/public school diploma issued by our state partner. Students not only advance their education but also learn organizational skills, study techniques, and how to adapt their own learning styles.
Courses and assignments are tailored to each individual and prioritized by the TPH academic team in partnership with the student-athlete with their weekly sports and competition schedule in mind.
- Individually Tailored Courseware
- AP, Honors & Foreign Language Courses
- 80+ Custom Elective Courses
- Credit for Sport-Specific Training
What Our Academy Families Are Saying
"TPH Academy has been an amazing opportunity for Ty to improve his hockey skills as an athlete, and to gain confidence and independence academically as a student. Athletically, Ty has been able to generalize his hockey skills from drills to games as he continues to show physical and mental growth in the sport. Academically, he has become more independent and an advocate for himself by contacting teachers and academic advisors when he needs support. Ty has learned many skills that will help him be successful as an adult. One of the best things about the Academy is the patience that the TPH staff has had with Ty, meeting him where he is at skill-wise, and building a trusting relationship with him. With this relationship, they are supporting Ty as a young man who is gaining confidence and seeing hockey as more than just a sport to play."
TPH Center of Excellence Grand Rapids |
"I wanted to write to tell you how much of an impact Matt Cooke has made with our son, Landon. Landon has looked up to Matt since day one and has sought him out to talk through situations, not only on the ice but also off the ice. Matt has continued to invest his time, knowledge, and wisdom in Landon and help him navigate difficult situations. Matt came to watch one of Landon’s tournament games and stayed after the game to connect with Landon and talk through the game. His belief in our son and motivational talk meant the world to us and Landon."
TPH Center of Excellence Plymouth | Parent of Landon
"As early as the first showcase, I noticed a change in the way he skated. He seemed to be more in command of the ice and moved in a way I hadn't seen before."
TPH Center of Excellence Grand Rapids | Parent of Kyle
"Without question, TPH Detroit has contributed greatly to our son’s hockey development over the past 2 years. He has matured and grown as a person, and we have witnessed clear, tangible improvements in his overall performance on the ice. Simply put, he is a different hockey player from the day he arrived at TPH Detroit. Our son’s passion for the game is higher than ever, and we are excited to watch him pursue his goal of playing higher level hockey in the future. Our sincere appreciation for the professionalism and efforts of the entire TPH Detroit staff!"
TPH Center of Excellence Detroit | Parents of Student-Athlete
ONE
ONE
Our dedicated staff is focused on making student-athletes the best versions of themselves, in and out of the field, court, or rink. We believe in leading by example and lay the groundwork for lessons and values that will last a lifetime.
Travis Richards
Partner, TPH Grand RapidsMike Slobodnik
Partner, TPH Grand RapidsKory Karlander
Player Development Coach & MentorSarah Fisher
Academic Success Coach Provided by MIPSDavid Sellin
Head of HockeyTaylor Keyworth
DirectorAustin Balkema
Head of Academics provided by MIPSKyle Gagneau
Strength and Conditioning Coach provided by Gagneau Performance Training
TPH Academy- Grand Rapids is located in the Southside Ice Arena in Byron Center, MI. As education and athletic training continue to evolve, providing students-athletes with the best possible learning and development environment is crucial. Working with the facility and Steelcase, we have designed spaces that will provide all types of learners with a comfortable and productive space. Our space has everything our student-athletes have everything they need to truly take ownership of their development including:
BUILDING THE TPH
The TPH Academy training program is designed for aspiring elite student-athletes who are willing to invest their time and effort into personal growth. At TPH we recognize that individual skill focus often gets neglected due to busy competition schedules, lack of facility accessibility after academic hours, and team-centric coaching. TPH is focused on long-term student-athlete development by providing platforms that allow each individual to discover new levels of potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
While we are one team, TPH Academy is not a sports team. We are an academy that allows you to focus on your individual skills. Additionally, you can still play for your current team. This creates an ideal training environment where our student-athletes can build a community with like-minded peers.
At TPH Academy, each student-athlete learns from certified Teachers through our customizable virtual platforms, with access to virtual tutors 24/7. Our on-site Head of Academics and Success Coach(es) are additional resources as they cultivate an environment conducive to learning. These multiple layers of support ensure that your student-athlete receives a personalized academic plan, preparing them for the ultimate game: the game of life.
Our student-athletes train in the on-site gym four days a week with our coaches.
DID YOU KNOW: student-athletes can receive physical education credit for the training.
They are certainly welcome to, but we also offer a meal plan in partnership with local restaurants within the facility, featuring healthy, delicious options at an affordable price.
Flexibility is a cornerstone of the TPH Academy experience. We recognize that the traditional brick-and-mortar system often conflicts with the demands placed on elite student-athletes. Because our platform can operate virtually, we offer a flexible attendance policy that accounts for travel requirements and the physical toll of a long season. While we believe student-athletes gain the most value from being on-site, we empower them to work with their Academy Director to build a customized schedule. There are no penalties for days missed due to academic or athletic commitments.
The TPH Academy Mentorship Program is designed to guide student-athletes through "the process" of elite development—focusing on character, discipline, and leadership. This comprehensive curriculum includes Coach FA’s Mentorship Program, which provides specialized mindset training to help athletes handle the pressures of high-level competition. Beyond the classroom and sport, our students engage with industry-leading guest speakers and participate in community service projects to build a well-rounded perspective and a sense of social responsibility.
TPH Academy provides balance as we tailor our athletic and academic development model to each student-athlete. Much of the daily experience is shaped by when, where, and how your student-athlete studies, trains, and plays at his or her best.
Courses and assignments are customized for each individual and prioritized by the TPH academic team in partnership with the student-athlete, with their weekly sports and competition schedule in mind.
Additionally, we require our student-athletes to complete weekly surveys to help our staff understand their holistic well-being. These surveys track sleep, nutrition, injuries, and more to ensure we know how to balance each student-athlete's workload.
TPH Academy is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment that sets every student-athlete up for success. We offer support for IEPs and 504 plans by utilizing adaptable learning spaces designed for diverse learners. To ensure we can fully meet a student’s specific requirements, we facilitate a determination meeting with our education partner to review individual needs and develop a tailored success plan.
Connect with
#Teamtph
Connect with our team and learn how TPH Academy can help you or your student-athlete take the next step in academics, athletics, and life.