ACADEMY LEADERSHIP
TOM ANASTOS, DIRECTOR
Tom Anastos is best known for creating impactful experiences to help athletes reach their fullest potential. Sports have been the centerpiece of his personal and professional life for the past 40 years, where he has been an industry-leader for a number of sports organizations.
His playing and coaching background were pivotal in developing his core focus of preparing athletes to win in sports and life. Tom played hockey at Michigan State University as well as the Montreal Canadiens organization. He also served as an assistant and head coach at his alma mater. His leadership experience includes 13 years as commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. During that time, Tom was a founding member of the Hockey Commissioner’s Association, where he served as its president for 11 years, as well as one of the original architects of College Hockey Inc., an organization focused on the promotion of NCAA hockey and its athletes. Tom has also been a part of several NCAA committees, including the chair of its Rules Committee and as a part of some of hockey’s largest NCAA events, including the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four at Ford Field (2010) and the historic outdoor games at Michigan State (The Cold War – 2001) and the University of Michigan (The Big Chill – 2010). Tom has been recognized several times on The Hockey News’ Top 100 People of Power and Influence.
Tom’s role with The Athlete Academy is to provide vision, develop curriculum, foster strategic relationships, and bring key resources to the academy’s student-athletes to ensure a powerful experience.
JEFF LERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeff is a former Athletic and Academic All-American hockey player and finance major at Michigan State University. His goaltending helped lead the Spartans to the 2007 National Championship and earned him the “Male Athlete of the Year” award at MSU on two separate occasions. The NCAA awarded Jeff with the prestigious Lowe’s Senior Class Award, which is given to “The Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete”, who excels in Competition, Classroom, Community, and Character.
Hockey and other athletics have always been Jeff’s passion, which sparked him to start his goalie coaching business as a sophomore at Michigan State. Jeff built his Future Pro USA Goalie School while playing ten years of professional hockey at the minor league level in the U.S. and Europe.
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During this experience, he was exposed to different cultures and ideologies in athletic performance and subsequently continued to enhance his ability as a coach. Consistent hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence are at the core of all his endeavors; he has become a mentor and role model to many youth athletes.
Jeff will oversee the day-to-day operations of The Athlete Academy and will serve as the primary point of contact. 
