This opening session focuses on clarity, purpose, and preparation – helping athletes define what success looks like for them and build a strong foundation to pursue it.
Nutrition: Fueling Performance (Coach Jess & Coach Dani)
*This breakout did not record, we will host another session on January 18th if you missed the live conversation*
Vision Boards & 2026 Goal Setting (Coach Ashlie)
*Link to the webpage shown during the live session can be found on the Mental Performance Tab*
Pre-Season Training: Preparation = Confidence (Coach Riley)

Last week, athletes focused on clarity, vision, and preparation. This week shifts toward ownership, consistency, and confidence, helping athletes understand how daily habits, mindset, and fueling choices directly impact performance on game day.

Opening Group Mentorship Session (30 Minutes):
Time Management for Student-Athletes
Led by: CSA Leadership
Focus:

• Balancing school, training, rest, and life
• Avoiding burnout during the season
• Structuring a week like an athlete

Breakout Sessions:
Nutrition: Fueling Performance (Coach Jess & Coach Dani)
Mental Game Reset: Handling Failure, Pressure & Mistakes (Coach Ashlie)

This Virtual Academy session will break down the college recruiting process and why it’s critical for athletes and families to start paying attention earlier than they may think. We’ll walk through the recruiting timeline, what coaches are actually looking for at each stage, and how athletes can proactively position themselves for opportunities.

Topics will include how to build and manage your personal brand, the effective use of recruiting tools such as personal social media and SportsRecruits profiles, and best practices for communicating with college coaches through email. We’ll also discuss the role of college camps in the recruiting journey and how to determine which camps are the right fit.

Finally, we’ll connect recruiting to on-field execution – because performance, preparation, and consistency are still the foundation of every opportunity.

This session is designed to give athletes and parents clear, actionable steps to navigate recruiting with confidence and intention.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dave Majeski brings a rare blend of high-level playing experience and extensive coaching leadership to the softball community. He played baseball at the University of Florida and continued his career professionally in the minor leagues, giving him firsthand insight into elite player development and competitive performance.

Transitioning into softball, Dave has built an accomplished coaching résumé that includes serving as an Assistant Softball Coach at the University of Florida, Head Softball Coach at the University of Memphis, and Head Coach at Presbyterian University. His experience also extends internationally, having coached the Polish National Team.

In addition to his collegiate and international coaching roles, Dave founded Team SC, an elite travel softball organization in South Carolina, where he has worked closely with athletes and families navigating the college recruiting process. Known for his direct, educational approach, Dave emphasizes long-term development, strong communication with college coaches, and the connection between on-field execution and recruiting success.

Dave’s diverse background allows him to offer athletes a well-rounded perspective on what it truly takes to compete – and succeed – at the next level.

Join University of Northern Colorado, Assistant Coach, Harold Simmons as he discusses the offensive approach of ‘being athletic and being explosive’. He talks through drills and concepts they apply at UNC with their hitters, and answers questions related to confidence in the box and recovery from failure. 

Defensive Chalk-Talk featuring Riley Frost brings together elite softball minds for an in-depth look at college-level defensive concepts. This session includes a full defensive breakdown followed by targeted breakout sessions for pitchers, infielders, and outfielders. Pitchers will focus on building command before expanding their arsenal with Sophia Frost, infielders will learn the five rules of fielding and defensive mental toughness with Chris Hutton, and outfielders will dive into positioning and situational awareness with Jess Markanich. Designed to elevate softball IQ and on-field execution at every position.

In this week’s Academy session, we’ll focus on building high-level defensive awareness through situational understanding and on-field communication. Athletes will learn how to anticipate plays, communicate effectively with teammates, and execute with confidence in game-like scenarios. We’ll break down key defensive situations and emphasize how strong communication leads to faster decisions, cleaner execution, and ultimately, more outs. This session includes catching, infield and outfield breakout sessions!

*The catching session didn’t record, the following drills and mechanics were discussed: 
STEAL THROWS FROM FEET:

1. Upside Down T & Set Up
2. Glove Turn & Transfer
3. Glove Pull, Power & Finish

STEAL THROWS FROM KNEES:

1. Glove Turn & Pivot
2. The Throw

In this virtual academy training session, Coach Riley walks through counts (hitters, pitchers and neutral), what they mean and how they influence your approach as a hitter. Coach Ashlie dives into pitch calling approaches and what to look for when setting up a hitter!

Coach Tony is one of the top player development coaches in the country, hailing from Southern California, and he’s bringing his wealth of experience straight to CSA. During the session, he’ll dive into key topics every athlete can use to elevate their game:

• Visualization: Harnessing the power of your mind to perform at your best
• Body Language: How posture and presence impact performance
• Athletic Readiness: Preparing your body and mind for peak performance

…and other invaluable nuggets of wisdom!