McClain Shines for the Ravens

D1 athlete, and Baltimore Raven, Le'Ron McClain has been turning a lot of heads lately. During the season opener, he led the Ravens with a career high 19 carries for 86 yards against the Bengals. Game 2 saw McClain draw in 4 receptions and post a personal best run of 17 yards. He had 17 carries for 66 yards, and set another personal record by scoring two touchdowns. On Monday, the Ravens fell to the Steelers in a heartbreaking 23-20 defeat in overtime. Nevertheless, McClain once again wowed fans in place of injured fullback Willis McGahee. He tallied three receptions for 26 yards as well as 16 carries for 63 yards, including another touchdown. With astounding stats, and three touchdowns in three games, the "McClain train" is quickly gaining speed among Baltimore fans.

D1 Opening in Little Rock

The word is getting out in Little Rock that D1 is coming. Jermain Taylor, OrthoArkansas and LifeChamps are getting ready to debut D1 Little Rock. Read below what was written by the Arkansas Business staff in Arkansas Sports 360.

A Division 1 training facility is set to open in Little Rock, perhaps by the end of October. The 20,000 square foot facility has been under construction near the intersection of Cantrell (Highway 10) and Sam Peck roads.

Click here to read more.

D1 Hats Hit the USA

D1 Hats are popping up everywhere online. From Facebook to Myspace. From email newsletters to random photos taken on the side of the road. The D1 brand is traveling around the country to thousands of sports events. From Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati to Yankee Stadium in New York. From Flushing Meadows and the US Open, to LP Field in Nashville and Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. D1 hats have been spotted all over the country. From Alaska to Alabama. From New York to Florida. From NFL Players and MLB players to Boot Campers and Biggest Loser contestants. Join the D1 Movement. Buy a D1 hat at D1Store.com. Email intern3@d1sportstraining.com if you have a photo of you sporting a D1 hat that you'd like to show us. Click on the pic below to see more.

D1 Hats

Rivers Shines on Monday Night Football

D1 Huntsville Co-owner, Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers, had another career-high game with three touchdown passes in the Chargers 48-29 win against the New York Jets and Brett Favre on Monday Night Football. The Chargers defeated Favre for the first time in five previous matchups dropping Favre's record against the Chargers to 5-1. Rivers leads the league with nine pass TDs this season after throwing three touchdowns for the third straight game. Rivers was 19/25 on passing attempts for 250 yards. The Chargers are now 1-2 and will play the Oakland Raiders at Oakland this coming Sunday. It looks like Rivers' D1 rehab did well for him.

D1 Chattanooga's McMasters Takes Aim

Since opening in Chattanooga, Carter McMasters has been a staple at D1. Now McMasters is ready to start his basketball career at Liberty University. Read what they are saying about him on LibertyFlames.com.

McMasters hails from Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was a 2008 graduate of Grace Academy. The 6-11 forward averaged 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game as a senior at Grace, and helped his team to the regional finals as a junior. McMasters was a McDonald’s All-American nominee. The all-state honoree alters the game, evident by his 20 shots redirected during last season. McMasters picked Liberty over Auburn, Chattanooga, Clemson, Kentucky, Michigan, Purdue, Virginia and Virginia Tech, among other programs.

D1 Honored by Future 50

D1 was honored in the Tennessean as being one of the top Future 50 companies. Click here for a PDF. D1 Nashville facility coordinator William Bartholomew, marketing director Ron Rickel and CFO and decision maker Dan Murphy (L to R-below) were on hand for the awards banquet.

Aloft Hotel Opens on D1 Campus

aloft hotels opens its doors today on the D1 campus as what is surely to become one of the most talked about hotels in the Nashville area. Located only minutes from downtown, Interstate 65, it could not be a more convenient place to stay whether on a business or pleasure trip.

aloft boasts wireless internet access throughout the entire hotel for all of its visitors to enjoy. Visitors are able to meet and enjoy time with friends at the w xyz bar, mingle in the sleek re:mix lobby, or enjoy snacks from re:fuel, the 24/7 pantry.

The impressive rooms feature ultra-comfortable signature beds, and oversized spa shower, and custom amenities by bliss© spa. Each room offers a plug ‘n play connectivity center which charges all electronic devices and also links them to the 42” LCD TV to maximize work and play.

To accommodate business travelers, aloft has a state of the art meeting space outfitted with the best A/V setup. This includes a 50” flat screen TV with laptop hookup and a DVD player.

Check out all the aloft has to offer at http://alofthotels.com/coolsprings

Bosley Named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week

D1 Huntsville's Jason Bosley recently put on quite a performance at a new position. The fifth year senior at Auburn who normally plays as center was moved to right tackle due to a sore shoulder. Bosley played exceptionally well, and despite only 2 practices at the new position received a 94-percent grade. SEC officials were so impressed that Bosley was named the league's offensive lineman of the week.

Justice and Lichtensteiger play... but not at center

In the 2008 D1 Combine group, two centers prepared to play on the offensive line in the NFL. Both played in the NFL on Sunday and neither played center. Denver Broncos rookie reserve center Kory Lichtensteiger played at fullback for the second consecutive game in short-yardage situations. Rookie Steve Justice, a sixth-round draft pick who played center at Wake Forest, stepped in at left guard, making his NFL debut.

Also, Chris Hannon, who trained for the 2006 Combine at D1 was picked up by the 49ers for their practice squad.

David Price Named Minor League Player of the Year

David Price, who held a pitching camp with RA Dickey at D1 last offseason, was named the Minor League Player of the Year. Price the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007 after an All-America junior season at Vanderbilt, was named USA TODAY's Minor League Player of the Year for 2008 in a vote that combined the input of the USA TODAY baseball staff as well as fans who voted at USATODAY.com. Click here for more info.

Vote for Brian Bratton on CFLallstars.com

D1 Greenville's Brian Bratton keeps tearing it up in the CFL. Vote for him on CFLallstars.com as he plays in the East Division for Montreal. You can also check out Brian's website here. Brian trained for the NFL Combine with D1 and also coaches at D1 Greenville during the offseason. Check out the video of the Furman grad from earlier this month.

Chattanoogan: Bandy, Braswell Strengthen D1

D1 Sports Chattanooga announced on Tuesday that former UTC football star Nate Bandy has been promoted to facility coordinator, Cortney Braswell has been hired as recruiting coordinator.

In directing the facility, Bandy succeeds long-time teammate and close friend Cos Dematteo, who heads to Baylor High School to coach receivers.

Braswell, a local football standout, comes to D1 to manage and build partnerships in the Chattanooga community.

To read more, click here.

D1 Greenville Co-Owner Signs with Chiefs

Former Furman star Ingle Martin has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs off of the Tennessee Titans practice squad. Martin was with the Titans last season and the Green Bay Packers the season before. Martin went to high school with CEO Will Bartholomew at MBA in Nashville.

Martin is a co-owner in Greenville along with former Clemson football stars Dexter Davis, Ed McDaniel, James Trapp, and Chester McGlockton.

Click here for more on Martin signing with the Chiefs.

D1 Chattanooga to host Flag Football League

D1 Chattanooga is partnering with the Hamilton YMCA to offer a men’s flag football league. All games will be held on D1 Chattanooga's 60-yard, indoor turf field. Registration is being held through Sept. 12 for full teams and individuals. The 10-week season starts Sept. 21.

For more information, contact Cortney Braswell at cortney.braswell@d1sportstraining.com or 423.255.0127.

McClain Shows Skills for Ravens

D1 Combine grad Le'Ron McClain showed what he can do versus the Cincinnati Bengals during Week One. McClain churned out career highs in carries (19) and yards (86).

Click here to read more about his big day.

Tim Dillard called up by the Brewers

Pitcher Tim Dillard, who has bounced back and forth between the Brewers and Triple-A Nashville, was called up by the Brewers for the stretch run. For the Sounds, Dillard was 6-1 with a 1.99 ERA. Check out what he says about D1.

Justice, Felton and Hillis all could start Week One

The 2008 Combine class is sure doing well. Going into Week One, there are quite a few looking to make major impacts. With Jeff Saturday out, it looks like Steve Justice will start under center for the Colts. Cecil Sapp was cut for the Broncos, leaving Peyton Hillis as the starting fullback. Jerome Felton looks like he could start at fullback for the Lions. Brad Cottam should see a lot of time at tight end for the Chiefs and Jason Jones will see a lot of PT for the Titans on the defensive line. Craig Stevens will find his way on the field for the Titans at tight end and Kory Lichtensteiger will serve as a backup offensive lineman for the Broncos.

Let the fun begin!

New Hire Strengthens D1 in Greenville

D1 Sports is happy to announce the addition of Steve Marsh to the coaching team at the D1 Sports facility. Marsh takes the title of Head Strength and Speed Coach.

Marsh comes to D1 Greenville from D1 Knoxville where he was an Assistant Speed and Strength Coach. Marsh has an extensive football background, playing for the 1998 University of Tennessee National Championship Team and the Canadian Football League. He earned accolades for Most Improved Player (1999), Special Teams Captain (2002), and Weight Lifter of the Year (2002) during his career at UT.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from UT, Marsh joined the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League where he played from 2004-2007 as a linebacker and defensive back. While with the Eskimos, he won the 2005 Grey Cup Championship.

“Sports have been so good to me and this is a way of give back to the community,” said Marsh. “I get a chance to assist in teaching proper weight lifting techniques to improve speed and agility and especially build character.”

D1 Knoxville Adds Bazrafshan

D1 Sports is pleased to announce the addition of Sam Bazrafshan as their first Recruiting Coordinator at the West Knoxville facility.

Bazrafshan comes to D1 after serving previously as an Organizational Leader and Field Manager at The Southwestern Company located in Nashville. Prior to Southwestern, he double majored in Biochemistry and Psychology at the University of Tennessee.

“We’re excited about adding Sam to our staff,” said head facility coordinator Jason Elkin. “We think he is going to make a great impact on our facility and the Knoxville community.”

As the recruiting coordinator, he will build partnerships in the community for D1 by educating the public about D1’s mission and the benefits of the D1 training programs and therapy services. He will also be responsible for developing and cultivating relationships with clients, parents, schools, club sports and community leaders.

“I have always had the utmost respect for D1 from a distance,” says Bazrafshan. “I can only anticipate working in an atmosphere where there is intensity, enthusiasm and excitement everyday.”