Meet Coach Dave
Dave has 30+ years of playing and coaching experience. His love and passion for the game started at a young age. He went on to graduate from DeKalb High School in 2004 where he was a 3-year varsity starter and Upstate Eight All-Conference outfielder his Junior and Senior years. Dave continued his baseball career at Wabash College in Indiana. He served as the teams top defensive player 3 years in a row. For the next 10 years Dave continued to play in men's leagues in Arizona and New Mexico playing alongside former college, major and minor leaguers, and Mexican League standouts. These experiences helped pave the way for Dave and his continued passion for a game that helped him get to where he is at today.Â
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The past 5 years he has coached several elite travel baseball teams and has helped develop over 100 players in Northern California.Â
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As a former college baseball player, Dave translates years of elite experience into personalized coaching that unlocks your true potential. His passion is seeing you achieve your goals. Accountability, effort, focus, and communication are at the core of every workout he does.Â
Meet Coach Mike
Michael Clayton is a 2021 DeKalb High School graduate He was a three-year varsity baseball starter at shortstop before continuing his playing career at the College of Dupage.
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After injuries  ended his playing career, Michael transitioned into coaching and player development. He has experience with Chicago Select, Triboh Baseball, Elite Sports Training Center, and Illinois Hitmen, specializing in hitting and infield instruction for athletes ages 6-18 years old.Â
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Michael is currently pursuing a degree in Physical Education at Northern Illinois University. He will serve as the Sophomore Head Coach at DeKalb High School and Head Coach of the Kane County Phantoms 15U team.
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He is passionate about baseball and believes one-on-one instruction is a great way to help athletes develop their skills, confidence, and understanding of the game. Â
Meet Coach JessicaÂ
Jessica is a former D-1 Pitcher at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she earned Mid-Con All Conference awards and held 2 university pitching records.
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Jessica is a 2004 Kaneland High School graduate. She earned All State awards in 2003 & 2004; was a 2004 Super 60 selection; 2004 Conference MVP; and 2003, 2004 Kane County Chronicle Player of the Year. Jessica recorded over 700 strikeouts while at KHS, a 0.28 career ERA and 4 career perfect games.
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Today, she is the top private softball Pitching instructor in the region and Owner of Jessica Davis Pitching and The Pitch Factory in Cortland, IL. She has been doing private instructions since 2010.Â
Meet Coach Brandon
Brandon Protano has been a lifelong lover of baseball. The sport has give him an immeasurable amount of joy and life skills training. He has a passion for teaching. Brandon finds excitement when the person he's working with starts to see results and success. There's something special in the moment where they can see that the work is paying off.Â
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During his playing career Brandon was a catcher. He played at DeKalb High School where he was team captain and MVP. He also played Kishwaukee College, and in various men's leagues.Â
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A belief that attention to detail and a strong work ethic will take you as far as you want to go has always fueled Brandon and it shapes the way he conducts himself and coach others. He wants everyone in the gym or on the field to enjoy what they're doing. Positive reinforcement is a great tool to make that happen.
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Brandon started coaching over 20 years ago. During that time he's assisted at DeKalb High School, has been involved with multiple recreational youth programs, and instructed several hitting, fielding, and catching camps. In recent years he's coached and served as the catching instructor for the Tri-Cities Travel organization.
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When instructing, Brandon wants all players to understand that there may not be a right to do something, but there is a wrong way to do it. He feels it's important for athletes to know that they don't have to be the biggest, fastest, or most athletic player on the field to be the best player on the field. Effort and knowledge go a long way and there are many intangibles that are not tracked on a stat sheet. Â
Meet Coach Gavin
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Gavin Heller is a baseball coach and pitching development specialist currently serving as a manager with the Northern Illinois University baseball program, where he works closely with student-athletes and their development. His experience as a lifelong baseball player and his work with NIU athletes have shaped his approach to understanding and developing pitchers.Â
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Gavin's coaching philosophy centers on helping athletes develop efficient, repeatable mechanics while understanding how their body works throughout the delivery. Rather than focusing solely on chasing velocity, he believes that improved movement and mechanical efficiency create a foundation for athletes to develop velocity naturally while maintaining consistency and control.Â
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Using video analysis and data, Gavin works with pitchers to optimize their mechanics, understand their pitch shapes, and develop the mindset needed to compete on the mound. His goal is to help athletes not only become better pitchers, but also understand why they are improving and how to apply that knowledge to their game.Â
Meet Coach KairiÂ
Softball has brought so much joy and growth into Kairi's life, and now she's on a mission to share that with others. She was inspired by her high school coach, who always encouraged the team to be difference makers in their community. Kairi has been incredibly lucky to have amazing mentors—both at the high school and club levels—and now it's her turn to give back to the sport and the community that gave her so much.
While learning the skills of the game is important, Kairi's true focus is to create a space where athletes feel supported, empowered, and inspired to find their passion for softball. Whether you're just starting out or have been playing for years, all skill levels are welcome here.
Kairi is honored to be a part of your softball journey—however that looks for you. Come be a part of Full Circle Softball and let’s make a difference together!
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-Kairi's accolades include:
*All-Area Softball Player of the Year as a Sophomore
*Three time All-Conference First Team
*Third Team All-State as a Freshman and Junior Year
*Second Team All-State as a Sophomore
*All-Area as a Freshman
* First Team All-State as a SeniorÂ
*Team MVP Offense All Four YearsÂ
*Multiple Offensive Records Broken
(Specliaizes in catching, hitting, and general softball skills)
Who We Train
BEGINNERS OF ALL AGES
EXPERIENCED & DRIVEN YOUTH PLAYERS (7U-13U)
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERSÂ
"A PLAYER WHO MAKES A TEAM GREAT, IS BETTER THAN A GREAT PLAYER."
-John Wooden
The development of youth players is not about how good you are today. It's about learning how to respect the game, how to be a good teammate, and how to deal with failure while mastering the fundamentals. Development is a process learned by doing it the right way. It's standards. It's forming good habits. It's accountability. This is growth! Come train and see what being a leader is all about!
Tailored Hitting, Pitching & Catching Programs
HITTING LESSONS
Learn swing mechanics and the mental side of hitting from experienced coaches who have played the game. Every lesson is geared and tailored for you. Walk away with more confidence than ever!
PITCHING LESSONS
Train with trusted and high level instructors with proven models of success. You will walk away with a solid foundation and a better understanding of how your body moves. Every lesson is an opportunity to work hard and gain a competitive edge.Â
CATCHING LESSONS
Powerhouse catching lessons focus on building confident, complete catchers. Athletes will work on receiving, blocking, throwing mechanics, footwork, communication, and game awareness. Each lesson is designed to develop strong fundamentals, build leadership and toughness the catching position demands.Â
What Our Clients Are Saying
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"Coach Dave has created an outstanding environment at Powerhouse Academy...he teaches accountability, discipline, and the importance of being a great teammate. We are incredibly grateful to be part of Powerhouse Academy and for the positive impact Coach Dave has had on our son and the entire team. If you're looking for a program that prioritizes player development, character, and a love for the game, Powerhouse Academy is an exceptional choice."
-Alex
"One of Coach Dave's greatest strengths is the way he connects with his players. The kids genuinely respect him, listen to him, and want to play hard for him. Like any group of young athletes, they occasionally lose focus, but Dave has a remarkable ability to get them back on track without yelling or embarrassing anyone. He corrects them with respect, and the players respond positively."
-Don
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"What sets Coach Dave and Powerhouse Academy apart is Coach Dave's ability to take any player of any skill set to the next level. If you wanna compete then join Powerhouse."
-A.T.
Credentials & Safety
Certified in CPR and First Aid
CPR & First Aid Certified
Experienced With All LevelsÂ
Safety First MindsetÂ
Experienced Coach
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Results Driven ApproachÂ
Location & Hours
OUR FACILITY
OPERATING HOURS
633 Enterprise Ave., Suite #4
DeKalb, IL 60115
Monday – Friday
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
SaturdayÂ
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
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Sunday
6:00 am - 9:00 am & 2:00 pm - 5:00pm
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FAQs
Common questions about coaching methodologies, session scheduling, and client expectations.
How are coaching programs tailored?
We start with a performance assessment to identify your strengths and areas for growth, building a program centered around your specific athletic goals.
What is the session scheduling process?
All sessions can be booked instantly through our online portal. We offer flexible times Monday through Sunday to accommodate student-athlete schedules.
What are the expectations for players?
We expect maximum effort, focused communication, and a commitment to fundamentals. Growth happens through discipline and accountability on and off the field.
Is there a focus on leadership?
Absolutely. Beyond technical skills, we train players to respect the game and their teammates, fostering leadership qualities that translate to all areas of life.
....more FAQs
Coaching Sessions
Powerhouse Academy offers personalized hitting and pitching programs tailored to each athlete's current level and their long-term goals. We start with a baseline assessment to identify strengths and areas for growth.Â
Schedule & Timing
Sessions run Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sundays from 6:00am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. You can view real-time availability and reserve your spot directly through our online booking calendar.
What to Bring
Players should come prepared with their own glove, bat, helmet and athletic footwear. We also recommend bringing a water bottle and a notebook/phone/tablet for tracking goals and technical cues from the session.
Cancellations
We require at least 24 hours' notice for any session cancellations or rescheduling requests. This allows us to offer the time slot to other athletes on our waiting list. Cancellations with less notice may incur a fee.
How Booking Works
Simply select your preferred program (Hitting. Pitching, Fielding, TEAM, Small Group), choose an available date and time, and confirm your details. You'll receive a confirmation email instantly with everything you need to know for your training session.Â