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BRADENTON, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2025) – IMG Academy, the world-leading sports education brand, has announced its inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2025, recognizing remarkable former student-athletes and contributors who have left an undeniable mark on IMG Academy and the world of sports education. After inducting its founding member Nick Bollettieri, the 2025 IMG Academy Hall of Fame Class includes Paula Creamer, John Ryan Murphy, Kei Nishikori, Maria Sharapova, and Chip McCarthy.
“For nearly 50 years, IMG Academy has stood for an unrivaled commitment to empowering student-athletes to win their future,” said Mike Milliron, Chief Operating Officer at IMG Academy. “Our inaugural Hall of Fame Class represents the very best of that purpose. These inductees and award recipients embody the confidence, commitment, resilience, and focus that define the IMG Academy experience. This celebration brought together generations of our community to honor a legacy of excellence and to inspire the next generation to carry it forward.”
Paula Creamer | Golf | Class of 2005
Creamer spent her high school career at IMG Academy, graduating in 2005. During her time at IMG Academy, she captured 19 junior titles and earned national recognition as the American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year in 2003 and Golf Digest Amateur of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Turning professional in 2005, Creamer quickly made history as the youngest winner of a multiple-round tournament on the LPGA Tour with her victory at the Sybase Classic. Over her career, she has recorded 10 LPGA Tour wins, including a major championship at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open, establishing herself as one of the most beloved and accomplished figures in women’s golf. After a brief hiatus, Creamer made a highly anticipated return to the LPGA Tour and was named assistant captain for the 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup team, a significant leadership role in one of the sport’s most prestigious events, further cementing her legacy. Beyond the course, she continues to give back to both Manatee County and IMG Academy, supporting student-athletes through scholarships and camp vouchers. Her lifelong dedication to excellence, leadership, and community impact makes her a perfect fit for the IMG Academy Hall of Fame.
John Ryan Murphy | Baseball | Class of 2009
Murphy spent his high school career at IMG Academy, graduating in 2009. During his senior season, he had a batting average of .637 and hit 11 home runs and batted 66. Murphy made IMG Academy history at the time and became IMG Academy’s highest draft selection in Major League Baseball when he was picked in the second round by the New York Yankees. He made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Yankees and retired in 2020. He is currently a player development instructor for the Philadelphia Phillies' rookie-level affiliate, the Florida Complex League Phillies He is also the co-founder of the IamMore® Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers children with chronic medical conditions to see themselves as more than their diagnoses by helping them build self-identities based on their passions, strengths, and resilience. As a testament to his remarkable achievements, Murphy's induction into the IMG Academy Hall of Fame celebrates his enduring legacy and contributions to sport and community.
Kei Nishikori | Tennis | IMG Academy Trainee 2004 – Present
Nishikori began training at IMG Academy in 2004 and remains a regular at IMG Academy today. He is the second male Japanese tennis athlete to have been inside the top-five in singles and only to do so in the Open Era (ranked No. 4 in 2015). Nishikori has made nine Grand Slam quarterfinals, reached the finals of the U.S. Open in 2014, and won a bronze medal in the 2016 Olympic Games. Nishikori reached the final of the Hong Kong Tennis Open in Jan. 2025 and celebrated his 450th career match win in April 2025. He remains an integral piece of IMG Academy’s international fabric and has been instrumental in bringing international tennis student-athletes to IMG Academy, making him a deserving addition to the IMG Academy Hall of Fame.
Maria Sharapova | Tennis | IMG Academy Trainee 1999 - 2011
Sharapova began training at IMG Academy in 1999 at age 9, and by age 13, she won the IMG Academy International Tennis Championship (Formerly Known as the Eddie Herr International Tennis Championships) for the girls U16 division. As a professional, Sharapova won 39 Women’s Tennis Association titles, reached a career-high world No. 1 singles ranking in 2005, and secured five Grand Slam titles. Beyond the court, she helped fund 12 five-year scholarships for student-athletes in Belarus and was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Development Program in 2007. Her unwavering determination has cemented her status as one of the sport's greatest champions, earning her a rightful place among IMG Academy's esteemed Hall of Fame inductees. In recognition of her extraordinary career and impact on the sport, Sharapova was also inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Aug. 2025.
Chip McCarthy | Executive Advisor of Strategy, Planning, & Capital Projects | Lifetime Achievement Award
In addition to honoring these exceptional alumni, IMG Academy presented Chip McCarthy with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. As a visionary leader and dedicated advocate for sports education, McCarthy has played an instrumental role in shaping the landscape of athletics, academics, and personal development at IMG Academy and beyond. His unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation has helped countless student-athletes realize their full potential, leaving a permanent mark at IMG Academy, the Manatee County community, and the world of sports. Having previously served as Managing Director at IMG Academy, McCarthy played an invaluable role in expanding IMG Academy into what it is today – earning him his place in its Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony and Lifetime Achievement Award presentation were held at IMG Academy on Nov. 6, 2025, marking a milestone in IMG Academy’s storied history and reinforcing its commitment to honoring those who have shaped its legacy.
About IMG Academy
IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:
- Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
- Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
- Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches.
To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.
