Educational Summary
Dan holds a Master of Science degree in Learning Technology and Media Systems (LTMS) from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Sports Psychology from the California University of Pennsylvania. Mickle’s undergraduate studies include a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, in which he graduated Summa Cum Laude from the California University of Pennsylvania. Mickle also holds numerous certifications in the LTMS/Instructional Design field and well as certifications in the Performance Psychology disciplines.
Professional Summary
Dan founded Soul Performance Academy (717 Soul, LLC) in 2006. Soul Performance Academy is a performance psychology and mental skills training and consulting company based in South Central Pennsylvania. The focus of Soul is to provide quality training for athletes, performance, and the corporate workforce in various performance psychology skills. Mickle often provides one-on-one training, workshops, seminars, and in 2020 Soul Performance Academy launched its e-Campus for virtual and self-paced training options. Mickle is also a freelance Instructional Designer and Learning Technologies consultant. His focus is on corporate training and educational resources in emerging technologies and training methods. Prior to becoming a performance psychology consultant and instructional designer, Mickle worked for over 20 years in the Information Technology sector holding various positions ranging from technical support to technical trainer. Mickle was the founder and CEO of NetGuruz, Inc. a local I.T. support and training firm.
Coaching Summary
Mickle has been coaching volleyball for over 25 years. He is currently the head women’s volleyball coach at York College of Pennsylvania (NCAA DIII). Mickle is also the lead coach for the USA Volleyball ParaBeach volleyball program, which won the 2018 Men’s World Championship, while the women’s team captured the silver medal. Mickle has coached at every level of the sport from recreational to professional levels, both indoors and on the beach. Mickle amassed over 100 wins at the men’s junior college level with the Harrisburg Area Community College team as well as having achieved over 100 wins at the boys’ high school level with Red Land High School. Mickle is also a member of the 2x defending national sitting volleyball champion team “Sit Happens”. As a player, Mickle won the USA Volleyball Men’s Open Beach National Championship in 2000 and also earned a 2001 bronze medal in the Co-Ed division. Mickle is also an 8x medalist as a player in the Keystone State Games (3x as a coach as well) and well a gold medalist in the 2009 State Games of America. He is a member of the Harrisburg Area Community College Hall of Fame and was a MACVC First Team honors recipient.
Personal Summary
Dan lives in the Harrisburg/York Pennsylvania area with his wife Teri, two daughters Morgan and Lily, and son JD. He also has a Frenchie/Lab mixed dog named Gryff. Dan grew up watching his father race open-wheeled sprint cars. His brother Bob followed in their father’s footsteps and became a professional sprint car driver. Dan grew up on the beaches of Maryland and the local ski slopes, and he is still an avid skier. In high school, Mickle excelled at emerging technology courses like HyperMedia and programming languages. He was also a member of the nationally recognized Red Land Marching Unit as the section leader for the percussion section. Dan would go on to teach percussion with his alma mater for 6 years.
Education
- Master of Science: Learning Technologies and Media Systems 12/2020
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology – Harrisburg, PA - Master of Science: Performance Psychology 05/2015
California University of Pennsylvania – California, PA - Bachelor of Science: Sports Management 05/2013
California University of Pennsylvania – California, PA - Associate of Arts: General Studies 05/2010
Harrisburg Area Community College – Harrisburg, PA
Honors and Awards
Member of the US Center for Coaching Excellence | Associate member of the American Psychological Association | featured presenter at the annual American Volleyball Coaches Association convention (2012-present) | Presidential Academic Award, California University of Pennsylvania (2015) | Athletic Hall of Fame, Harrisburg Area Community College (2013) | Dean’s List, California University of Pennsylvania (2010-2013) | Robert Lindsay Award Recipient, USA Volleyball (2008) | Mid-Penn Coach of the Year (2005, 2006, 2009, 2012) | Student presenter at the 1990 Apple Computer K-12 Education Forum.
Hobbies and Outside Interest
Certified mental coach | Coaching education cadre member for USA Volleyball | College volleyball coach for over 12 years | former semi-professional beach volleyball player | Paralympic beach volleyball coach |Published author | Podcasting | Blogging | Collecting vinyl records