Sox academy adds coaches to new Glen Ellyn facility

The Chicago Bulls/Chicago White Sox Training Academy has added two coaches, Mark Sheehan and Shannon Roney, to its professional staff at its new Glen Ellyn facility.

The White Sox Academy will be located in the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road, which will be opening in January 2010.

Mark Sheehan has been named the new academy director, and Shannon Roney will serve as head fastpitch softball instructor.

Sheehan, a Minnesota native, comes to the academy with an extensive background in training young athletes in baseball and softball. Sheehan is regarded as one of the outstanding pitching instructors in the Midwest and is a certified member of the prestigious National Pitching Association.

"What a wonderful opportunity this is for me," said Sheehan. "There is nothing that I love more than teaching hitting and pitching to young players. To do this in Glen Ellyn as a part of the Chicago White Sox is a dream come true."

Roney joins the Glen Ellyn staff after a collegiate career as a pitcher and hitter with Lewis University and Loyola University. As a senior at Glenbard South High School, Roney helped her 2004 team to a 33-3 record by batting .465 while going 24-3 with a 0.23 ERA and 16 shutouts. Roney was named conference MVP, first team all-conference, Illinois Coaches Association Second Team All-State, and the Daily Herald All-Area Team for DuPage County.

The Chicago Bulls/Sox Training Academy opened in 2001 in Lisle, and runs extensive training programs for boys and girls from beginner to professional. There are additional satellite White Sox Academies in LaGrange, Tinley Park and Schererville, IN. For more information, go to bullssoxacademy.com or call 630-324-8221.