- Darrell Dee Sullins, 28, a Beachwood native, played soccer and ran track at the University of Mount Union in Alliance.
- In 2021, Sullins opened SkyHigh Fitness in the basement of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Alliance. It trains more than 200 athletes, most of them in college or high school.
- Sullins also runs “No Denials,” a Christian platform that includes a podcast, life coaching services, and motivational workshops with her father.
ALLIANCE A former Mount Union football player is coaching the next generation of local athletes at SkyHigh Fitness.
Darrell Dee Sullins, 28, opened SkyHigh in 2021, operating out of the basement of Tabernacle Baptist Church at 715 S. Arch Ave. in Alliance.
His facility has between 200 and 250 clients, mostly college or high school athletes, and employs two other coaches.
“We work with athletes in the Stark County area,” Sullins said. “We prepare them for the next level.”
“He really tailors it to your needs.”
Emma Egli, 20, of Homeworth, plays collegiate soccer at Marietta College. She and her siblings are SkyHigh regulars.
She loves it.
He said Sullins tries to maintain a fun and positive atmosphere as the athletes are engaged in their work.
“He really tailors it to your needs,” she said. “I always feel well prepared when I come back to start a season. I feel really prepared.”
Christopher Bloom, 18, of Knox Township, is training to be a firefighter and comes to SkyHigh about three times a week.
“You work up a sweat,” she said.
Faith has created an opportunity and a name
Sullins, a Beachwood native, played soccer and ran for Mount Union University while studying exercise science. His father, Darrell Sullins Sr., a member of the USA Karate Federation Hall of Fame, coaches karate and coaches athletes.
Now living in Canton, Sullins said he founded SkyHigh after his dream of playing professional soccer didn’t come true. An intern at a gymnasium in Louisville, Sullins said he met the Rev. Aaron Hill, pastor at the Tabernacle. He told him that he wanted to open his own facility to train local athletes. Hill offered the church basement.
“I came here, revamped some things, brought equipment and started training people. That’s how I got into it,” Sullins said.
Even the name SkyHigh was inspired by his faith, which plays an important role in his life. In fact, he and his father also run “No Denials,” a Christian platform that includes a podcast, life coaching services, and motivational seminars.
Sullins said the name came to him at church. “It may have been God speaking to me,” he said.
How to become a customer
Sullins said his clientele includes Mount Union athletes and local high school and middle school athletes. She also trains people like Bloom who are preparing for work that could be rigorous. All training plans are customized for the individual.
“I enjoy working with the athletes every day. They keep me on my toes,” she said.
The other coaches are Alex Leeper and Skylar Matthews. Both work individually or in small groups with athletes and adults.
Sullins said they offer a variety of packages, ranging from $25 to $40 per session, depending on the client’s needs. Email him at skyhighfitnessllc@gmail.com to learn more. His facility trains Monday through Saturday by appointment, with sessions as early as 5am
SkyHigh can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.
“Taking an athlete and breaking down their strengths and weaknesses to create a training plan around those strengths and weaknesses is rewarding when (they) put all that work into it,” Sullins said, “and when it comes time for their season to see that job weld.”
Contact Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP
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