DFW Airport Welcomes First Sports Training Complex at an Airport
Six-time NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal's Drive Nation opens for tournaments, training
Oct 26, 2017, 14:19 ET
DFW AIRPORT, Texas, Oct. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport is the first airport in the United States to offer a high-tech sports training complex for top-tier athletes and customers as part of its growing portfolio of commercial developments. Six-time NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal founded Drive Nation with a vision to train athletes from across the country and around the world, and DFW provided the ideal location and infrastructure.
"Drive Nation's vision of providing total student-athlete performance training, skills development and emotional wellness, leadership and character programs is now open to amateur athletes throughout the Dallas Fort Worth area," said O'Neal, founder of Drive Nation. "The ultimate goal is to develop kids for college. We are excited to be right at the Airport where we can easily reach thousands of student-athletes every year and connect them to world-class coaches in one of the most advanced facilities for training."
Located on 16.2 acres of land at DFW Airport, the state-of-the-art, $10.4 million facility is the first of its kind at an airport and will be home to O'Neal's Drive Nation Skills Academy for boys and girls in third through 12th grades. It features more than 90,000 square feet of indoor space, including basketball and volleyball courts, player lounges, a 10,000-square-foot weight room, performance training area and a 50-yard all-purpose indoor turf area.
"We're thrilled to welcome Jermaine and Drive Nation to DFW, knowing that his team and the DFW team have a vision for serving people through personal relationships and leading-edge technology," said Khaled Naja, executive vice president of Infrastructure and Development for DFW Airport. "Drive Nation will be a great asset for our region, bringing in teams and families throughout the year."
O'Neal, a resident of Southlake, Texas, is focused on giving back to the community through sports. He will serve on the coaching staff and brings more than two decades of professional experience to the Drive Nation Skills Academy. The vision for the Drive Nation Sports Complex and the Drive Nation Skills Academy is to create well-rounded, dynamic players through physical training, skills development and elite-level coaching.
While building the complex at DFW Airport, the Academy temporarily operated from Southlake Carroll Senior High School in Southlake since March 2017. The new facility will be managed by Sports Facilities Management, an outsourced management firm. The Academy now is accepting registrations for boys and girls from 3rd through 12th grades.
About Dallas Fort Worth International Airport:
Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport earned the distinction of the best large airport in North America for customer service in 2016 from Airports Council International. DFW Airport warmly welcomes more than 65 million customers along their journey every year, elevating DFW to a status as one of the most frequently visited superhub airports in the world. DFW Airport customers can choose among 168 domestic and 57 international nonstop destinations worldwide. DFW is elevating the customer experience with modernized facilities and updated amenities, as well as through a $2.7 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program. Centered between its owner cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major economic generator for the North Texas region, producing over $37 billion in economic impact each year by connecting people through business and leisure travel. For more information, visit the DFW web site.
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About Drive Nation:
Drive Nation Sports Complex is a state-of-the-art multi-sport training and events facility located near the South entrance of the DFW Airport. Former NBA All-Star, Jermaine O'Neal, is founder and owner. The Drive Nation facility will consist of approximately 90,000 square feet of hard structure featuring the hardwood court area, mezzanine viewing spaces, café and seating areas, multi-purpose rooms, teams and conference rooms and other supporting areas.
The Drive Nation floor plan will accommodate ten (10) volleyball courts and six (6) basketball courts. A 50-yard indoor turf field and 55-yard speed track will be programmed for activities such as football, soccer and sports performance training. Adjacent to the turf will be performance training, strength components and HydroWorx hot/cold aquatherapy tubs and training center. Drive Nation will host year-round youth recreational leagues, adult leagues, adult boot camp training, USA Volleyball tournaments, national and regional AAU tournaments and an annual Nike EYBL tournament. Drive Nation will attract some of the top high school student-athletes and college coaches in the country.
Drive Nation is now accepting registration for all sports activities at the Drive Nation Sports Complex. Please visit www.drivenationsports.com and follow Drive Nation at DriveNation_DFW at both Facebook and Instagram.
SOURCE DFW International Airport