The Keeper Academy
About The Keeper Academy
Goalkeeper development based on data and facts – building athletes and leaders on and off the field.
The Keeper Academy is located in Hudson, Ohio – 20 minutes from Akron and 40 minutes from most of Cleveland. We are the only year-round indoor goalkeeper training center in northeast Ohio.
Under the direction of goalkeeper coach John Congrove, The Keeper Academy is a home for player development, no matter what level of competition you currently play. We offer goalkeeper training for ages 10 through high school and college.
Founder / Owner
John Congrove
We created The Keeper Academy because goalkeeper development should be based on data and facts – where coaches make no assumptions, and where the goal is to build athletes and leaders on and off the field.
John has been coaching goalkeepers since 1990. He spent thirteen seasons as goalkeeper coach at Walsh Jesuit High School, where his teams won eight OHSAA state championships and two national titles, and he coached the Hudson High School men’s and women’s programs from 2018 to 2025. He played four years of NCAA Division II soccer at Florida Southern College.
Credentials
Experience and education
Coaching
- NSCAA Goalkeeper Diploma Level I, II and III
- Walsh Jesuit High School goalkeeper coach (2004-2017)
- National Champions 2006, 2010
- State Champions 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Hudson High School goalkeeper coach, men's and women's (2018-2025)
- Hudson United director of coaching for goalkeepers (2018-2020)
- Stow Youth Soccer coach, U8, U10, U12 (2008-2012)
- Great Britain Buckeye / Ohio goalkeeper coach instructor (1990-1994)
- Soccer Plus goalkeeper coach instructor (1991-1994)
Playing
- Florida Southern College goalkeeper (1991-1994)
- Sunshine State Conference, NCAA Division II
- Westerville South High School (1987-1990)
- OHSAA Division I State Champions, 1989
Education
Florida Southern College
Bachelor of Science – Business Administration and Sports Marketing
How we coach
What we build
Engagement
Finding solutions for how to react after a mistake, or during a high pressure moment, is completely different for every human being. Many development programs never take that into consideration.
Expectation
Understanding the basic components of what every coach expects, as well as the specific style of play that your coach is asking for.
Unity
After learning the fundamentals, every player has his or her own unique technical approach. Our job as coaches is to adapt, and to build the best version of that keeper.
Equality
Every keeper gets the same standard of coaching – the same detail, the same honesty, the same expectations – whether they are starting varsity or picking up gloves for the first time.
Endless Effort
Talent sets the ceiling, effort sets the floor. The standard here is the work rate, and it is the one thing every keeper can control from the first rep to the last.
Dream
Every keeper walks in with a goal – a varsity spot, a club side, a college roster. We build the plan backward from that, then hold them to it.
Testimonials
What families say
A great teacher of the game
Coach John Congrove and The Keeper Academy run an elite program. John is highly motivated and is a great teacher of the game. His staff and facilities are top notch. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to take their goalkeeping to the next level.
A must for any keeper wanting to play higher
Our son has been training at The Keeper Academy for several years now and we could not be more impressed with the level of training, the knowledge of the coaches, and the quality of the facility. John takes a personal interest in the success of each of his athletes.
Challenging and fun
John helped my son refine his goalkeeping technique and his tactical understanding of the game. He brings an energy and a relentless attitude to training that is contagious. Never once has my son left disappointed or not challenged.
Great facility and program
The Keeper Academy facility is awesome and John runs a great program. I am really impressed with the cleanliness of the facility, the pride the kids take in it, and John’s enthusiasm. As a parent, I love to see the growth on and off the field. My daughter really looks forward to going here each week.
Great for young players
If you would like your young keeper to learn solid fundamentals, get thoughtful situational training, be challenged every time out, and have a good time in the process – John is your man.