Eric Figurski has been named Athletic Director at LEAD Prep Academy, a new post-graduate and junior college football team, powered by The LEAD Foundation and Legacy Center, in Brighton, Michigan.
“We are extremely excited to add Eric to our team.” Said Justin Cessante, Founder of LEAD Prep Academy, “He has a clear plan to deliver a platform that supports student athletes in achieving their academic and athletic goals.”
Set to begin in March 2024, the program is structured to combine the benefits of post-graduate and junior college football. Student athletes will be placed on an academic plan to graduate with their associate degree from an HLC-accredited institution in 18 months. However, student athletes will not burn any seasons of competition during their “post-graduate” year, immediately following high school graduation. Student athletes can enroll and participate in spring practices as early as their senior year of high school.
Figurski, a Michigan native, joins LEAD Prep Academy, after returning home to launch a junior college football program at Community Christian College (CCC) in Detroit this past year. CCC competed nationally this past fall, playing games against junior college football teams in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Ohio, Kansas, and Iowa.
Prior to returning to Michigan, Figurski served as Athletic Director at Independence Community College in Kansas from 2019-2022. During his tenure at ICC, the football program finished in the top-10 of the country for three straight years, won two conference championships, and had 85+ student athletes sign with NCAA Division I football programs.
“Thank you, Justin Cessante, the Goble family, and The L.E.A.D Foundation, for this incredible opportunity.” Said Figurski, “We will work extremely hard to deliver for our student athletes, partners, and community.”
Founded in 2009 by Rodney & Amy Goble, the L.E.A.D. Foundation is a 501(c)3 non–profit organization that has supported student–athletes, non–profits and community initiatives for the past 10 years. The L.E.A.D. Foundation focuses on helping communities through youth development, community service and supporting other non–profits, groups and organizations through Leadership, Education, Action, and Development. L.E.A.D. also empowers and assists student–athletes through social awareness, educational guidance and financial assistance. Through the Foundation’s efforts, students are given the tools and opportunities to excel in reaching their academic and athletic goals as well as impact the community.