A public‑private partnership has opened a first‑of‑its‑kind soccer academy at Hicks Park Community Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offering a structured program for 40 student‑athletes between the ages of seven and nineteen.
Building People as Much as Players
The academy runs from August through May, operating daily from eight in the morning until three‑thirty in the afternoon, and it weaves virtual learning platforms into a curriculum that begins with on‑field conditioning before moving into classroom sessions.
John Waite, owner and director of Tecnico10 Soccer Academy, explains that the program’s motto is “build the person, build the player,” placing culture and human development above pure athletic performance.
Sonny Dalesandro, who also owns Tulsa Athletic, adds that the academy seeks to craft excellent soccer players who are also strong students, fostering community awareness and leadership among its participants.
By repurposing a public park during daytime hours, the initiative transforms underused city space into a hub for education and athletics, creating a peer‑to‑peer accountability system that encourages self‑improvement and teamwork.
One standout participant, 13‑year‑old Octavian Gibbs, has trained with Tecnico10 for four years and is preparing to audition for Sporting Kansas City’s professional academy, illustrating the program’s role in nurturing talent.
The academy’s blend of structured support, academic rigor, and community focus offers a model that could reshape how youth sports are delivered in urban settings.