Ohio Sports Academy: How One Family’s Passion Project Became Dayton’s Gold Standard for Youth Athletic Development
SPRINGBORO, OHIO – In a world where youth sports often feel like big business, impersonal franchises, and high-pressure stakes, we—Diane, Tony, and David Trifiro—are proud to offer something different. We are the owners and operators of Ohio Sports Academy, and to us, this facility is not just a company; it is a legacy. For nearly three decades, our gym has served the Springboro and Dayton communities, evolving from a local tumbling spot into a premier institution for comprehensive youth development. Today, we are pulling back the curtain to share how our family’s journey has shaped a service that prioritizes safety, science, and the sheer joy of movement above all else.
Our story didn’t begin in the boardroom; it began in the waiting room. Like so many of you, we started as parents looking for a positive outlet for our energetic child. In 1997, the gym operated under the name Hand 2 Hand Acrobatic Training Center. We walked through those doors not as investors, but as clients. Our son, David, who now serves as our General Manager, took his very first tumbling class here at the age of eight. He grew up on these mats, learning the value of hard work and resilience, eventually competing on the teams until he graduated high school. When the opportunity arose to purchase the facility in 2010, we didn’t hesitate. We knew we had to preserve this vital community hub, ensuring that the next generation of Dayton’s youth could experience the same life-changing benefits our family did.
A Legacy of Leadership: From “Gym Parents” to General Managers
Taking the reins of a facility with such a rich history was a responsibility we took seriously. We understood that we weren’t just selling gymnastics classes; we were providing a service that shapes a child’s character. “Ohio Sports Academy has been a part of the family for a very long time,” and that deep personal connection drives every decision we make. Unlike corporate entities that answer to shareholders, we answer to the parents we see in the lobby every day. We know the challenges of raising children in a fast-paced world, which is why we have engineered our programs to be as supportive for the parents as they are for the athletes.
Our transition from clients to owners allowed us to view the business through a unique lens. We knew exactly what parents worried about—safety, cleanliness, and the quality of instruction. This perspective led us to implement rigorous standards that have since become our trademark. When you enroll at Ohio Sports Academy, you aren’t just signing up for a class; you are joining a family that has “been there, done that,” and is committed to helping your child navigate their own athletic journey with confidence and grace.
The Science of the “Mini” Athlete: Why Early Movement Matters
One of our most passionate areas of focus is early childhood development. In the past, gymnastics was often viewed as a sport reserved for school-aged children. However, modern research into pediatric neuroscience has fundamentally shifted that perspective. We now know that the most critical window for developing physical literacy occurs before a child even enters kindergarten. This is why we have poured resources into developing the most scientifically grounded Dayton gymnastics curriculum available for toddlers and preschoolers.
Our “Mini” programs are designed to do far more than just burn off energy. They are structured interventions that target specific neurological markers. By engaging in activities that require “bilateral integration”—the coordinated use of both the left and right sides of the body—our youngest students are strengthening the corpus callosum, the bridge between the brain’s two hemispheres. When a three-year-old learns to swing on a bar or navigate a balance beam, they are not just playing; they are building the neural pathways required for reading readiness, logic, and emotional regulation. We view our pre-school classes as an essential educational service, providing the physical “hardware upgrades” that prepare a child’s brain for the “software” of academic learning.
Setting the Industry Standard for Hygiene and Safety
If there is one thing we want our community to know, it is that we are obsessed with cleanliness. In the post-2020 landscape, we recognized that hygiene is no longer a background feature; it is a primary product benefit. We are proud to operate the “cleanest gym around,” a title we earn every single day through an extensive cleaning process. We utilize EPA-registered disinfectants, high-grade air filtration systems, and rigorous staff protocols to ensure that our training environment is pristine.
We treat our gym like a laboratory for human movement. Just as a scientist needs a sterile environment to conduct experiments, a child needs a clean, safe environment to experiment with their own physical limits. This commitment to hygiene allows parents to drop their children off with total peace of mind, knowing that we prioritize their health as much as their athletic skills. Furthermore, our safety protocols extend to the equipment itself. We utilize a progression-based layout with soft landing zones and specialized foam pits, ensuring that every new skill is learned in a controlled, risk-mitigated setting. This “safety net” encourages students to be brave and try new things, fostering a growth mindset that is essential for success in all areas of life.
Expanding the Definition of Athletics: Ninja, Aerial, and Inclusion
As owners, we believe that innovation is key to keeping youth sports engaging. We realized early on that traditional gymnastics, while foundational, isn’t the only path to physical fitness. That is why we have diversified our service offerings to include programs like Ninja Zone and Aerial Arts. Ninja Zone fuses the discipline of martial arts with the agility of gymnastics and the speed of parkour. It captures the imagination of children who might find traditional sports too rigid, turning “exercise” into a high-stakes adventure of stealth and skill.
Similarly, our Aerial Arts program introduces students to the beauty of circus-style fitness. Using silks and hammocks, students build incredible core strength and upper-body stability while defying gravity. These programs are not just “add-ons”; they are core components of our mission to provide a wide spectrum of classes where there is never a dull moment. We want every child to find their passion, whether that’s tumbling on a track or climbing a silk.
Moreover, our commitment to service means serving everyone. Our “I Can Do It!” Adaptive Gymnastics program is close to our hearts. We believe that every child, regardless of physical or developmental challenges, deserves the chance to feel the joy of movement. By tailoring our instruction and equipment to meet individual needs, we ensure that our facility is a welcoming space for the entire community.
A Culture of Celebration and Support
Ultimately, the product we sell is not a back handspring or a gold medal—it is self-worth. We hire coaches who understand that their primary job is to be a mentor. As Amber L., a long-time member, beautifully put it, our staff “want to see the kids succeed just as much as we do and celebrate each milestone.” This culture of celebration is intentional. We train our staff to look for the “small wins”—the improved focus, the first unassisted roll, the moment a shy child speaks up.
We are Diane, Tony, and David Trifiro, and we are honored to be the stewards of this incredible community. We have watched generations of athletes grow up within these walls, and we are excited to welcome the next generation. We invite you to experience the Ohio Sports Academy difference—a place where family values meet professional excellence, and where every child is empowered to reach their maximum potential. The future of youth athletics in Dayton is bright, and we are thrilled to be leading the way, one jump, flip, and smile at a time.
