Athletic Spotlight: Shane Esser — Playing with Purpose
At Innovate Academy, athletics are more than competition—they’re a classroom for character, discipline, and wellness. We encourage our scholars to pursue opportunities beyond our campus, partnering with external organizations to develop a broad range of skills and engage with diverse communities.
For Shane Esser, soccer has been part of life for as long as he can remember.
A Game That Started at Home
Shane’s love for the sport began early—kicking a ball on the beach with his dad, dreaming about the kind of player he wanted to become. Those casual practices turned into commitment when he joined Villanova Soccer Academy and later Penn Fusion, where he trains now.
“Soccer has basically been my whole life,” Shane said. “My dad would practice with me all the time. He played at Penn State and even professionally, so I’ve always wanted to be like him.”
That family influence runs deep. His mother and older brother, Chase, are both bodybuilders who have shown him what consistency and hard work look like in real life..
Growing as an Innovate Lion
Shane joined Innovate Academy in 7th grade and is now in his second year. Since arriving, he’s played on the Innovate Lions soccer team, where some of his closest friendships—with teammates like Luke and Asher—have been built on the field.
Balancing club soccer with school athletics could be challenging, but Innovate’s flexible, personalized approach has made it possible.
“Being at Innovate works with my outside team,” he explained. Innovate personalizes my schedule and allows flexibility so I can play for the Lions and an outside team. That balance has helped me grow a lot.”
The results speak for themselves. Under Coach Heather’s leadership, the 7th-grade Lions had an undefeated season in 2024—an incredible way to launch Innovate’s athletics program.
Discipline, Wellness & Faith
For Shane, soccer shapes far more than physical skills. It has taught him discipline: eating well, staying organized, and managing demanding schedules between school and sports. These habits have strengthened both his academic performance and his overall wellness—one of Innovate’s core values.
His faith also plays a central role in how he approaches the game.
“At Innovate, there’s love and chemistry on the team,” Shane shared. “Other teams can feel more individualistic, but here it feels different.”
He strives to maintain a consistent relationship with God through daily devotions and by keeping perspective when challenges arise. When he was placed on a lower team before later earning a spot on the top squad, his faith helped him stay patient and focused.
Looking Ahead
Shane dreams big. His goals include playing Division I soccer, attending Penn State like his dad, and ultimately going pro. Next year, he plans to attend Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delware for high school, known for its strong soccer program.
Wherever he goes, Shane carries the values he’s grown at Innovate—teamwork, perseverance, wellness, and faith.
Forming Athletes Who Are Culture Makers
Shane’s journey captures what Innovate Academy hopes for every scholar: excellence pursued with purpose. Through partnerships with clubs like Penn Fusion and the opportunities of the Innovate Lions, our scholars learn to compete with integrity, care for their bodies and minds, and reflect Christ on and off the field.
We’re proud to watch Shane—and all our scholar-athletes—grow into leaders who play for something greater than themselves.
