Dr. Cesurian Champagne

My Story...

Dr. Cesurian Champagne is the owner of EnduraSkillz Sports Academy in which the goal is to inspire young male and female basketball players to focus on their goals, be willing to change their mindset and "Train Like A C.H.A.M.P.” She has always known that her calling was to work with children, and this is why she established EnduraSkillz Elite Basketball Training. “I just want to see kids succeed and live out their dreams”

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The Journey​​​

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The journey that she took to be successful as a player and now as a coach is her story and motivation to others. She started playing basketball in 7th grade while living in Jacksonville, FL. The only female on the park with a bunch of guys, just focused on being a better athlete. Dr. Cesurian moved back to her hometown during the end of her 7th grade year and tried out for the JV team at Middleton High School (SC). Unbeknownst to her, she would be creating her legacy. By the end of her 8th grade year, the varsity coach wanted to move her up for the payoffs however she couldn't make their practices due to the difference in school hours. This was a drive that pushed Dr. Cesurian to work on her game during the summer so that she can be prepared to compete as a freshman.

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During her freshman season, Dr. Cesurian became a starter on the varsity team that was comprised of juniors and seniors, but she blended in. Her freshman year, she averaged 12.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 3.1 bpg...and she was just beginning. She continued to excel each season which afforded her the accolades of being named one of the TOP 5 Seniors in the state of South Carolina. She finished her high school career with 1,667 points, 1556 rebounds, 688 blocks, 346 steals.​​​

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The Transition​

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Dr. Cesurian signed her NCAA Letter of Intent to attend East Tennessee State her freshman year. This is a goal she set for herself during the summer of her 8th grade year. She was determined to earn a full scholarship that would pay for her college education, AND SHE DID!! During her freshman year, she was finally getting the hang of her transition to college and a new environment (Johnson City, TN). She had worked her butt off to EARN a starting spot however adversity struck. A week before the first game, Dr. Cesurian tore her left ACL in practice. Her freshman season was over. 

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Fast forward, she decided to transfer after her freshman year to Charleston Southern University but due to transfer rules, she had to sit out another season. This really tested her patience because she was so used to suiting up and playing every game. She took the experiences of studying & understanding the game while sitting on the sidelines during that time which later inspired her to become an educator and high school basketball coach. During her junior season, Dr. Cesurian finally got her chance to really showcase the knowledge she soaked in from the sidelines. During the game vs Georgia Tech, Dr. Cesurian was driving the towards the basket on a fast break when her opposite knee buckled and we all knew what that meant, TORN ACL. Only this time, it was the opposite knee. Another SEASON ENDING injury.

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QUIT....GIVE IT UP...lingered in the back of her mind but the passion to play kept her on track. During her rehab, Dr. Cesurian made a promise to change her mindset and learn about WHO she is as an athlete. She returned her senior year and refused to allow ANYTHING to slow her down. She finished her career as the Most Valuable Player (CSU), while being named to the Big South 2nd Team All-Conference, and Big South All-Tournament Team. 

Dr. Cesurian earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Charleston Southern University and obtained her Master of Art in Teaching, Physical Education from the Citadel Military College.

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The Career​

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She has spent 15 years coaching high school basketball [12 years as a girls’ basketball coach and 3 years with the boys]. During that time, she has learned so much as a coach, which inspired her to start her own training services with EnduraSkillz Elite Basketball Training.

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During her tenure as a basketball coach, Dr. Cesurian was recognized by the South Carolina House of Representatives with a Proclamation in 2017 for being the only female coaching a boys varsity sport in the state. The boys' team was named SC Region 4A Champions in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and Dr. Cesurian was named the Boy's Region Coach of the Year in 2017. 

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Dr. Cesurian went on to coach the girl's varsity basketball team at Fort Dorchester High School, a Class 5A school in Summerville SC. Finishing the season with an overall 23-4, winning the Region 8AAAAA title for the first time in school history. Dr. Cesurian was named the Region Coach of the Year.

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​Coach to Trainer​​

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After spending one year at Fort Dorchester, Dr. Cesurian decided to walk away from the coaching aspect of the game because she realized that student-athletes in her area needed to focus on the basic fundamentals in order to elevate their level of performance. As an educator in the field of sports, we hear kids talk about their desire to become a professional athlete, but they lack the understanding on the process it takes to get to that level. This is why I've expanded my expertise to become a basketball trainer and strategist.

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During her first year of implementing the Team Skillz Training program, Dr. Cesurian worked with two different schools in Charleston, SC. North Charleston High School falls in the Class 2A sector of the SCHSL and this team only had 9 players the entire season. They committed to the Team Skillz Training program and finished their season 22-9 and became the Class 2A state champions as the underdogs. Another team that invested in their girls program, Military Magnet academy also invested in this program and had a young team comprised of 8 Freshmen, 3 Juniors, and 1 senior. This team was young and inexperienced. They finished that season 15-5 and became the Class A state Runner-Ups as they lost the championship game to Lake View. They remain committed to the Team Skillz Training program and went on to become 3x State Champions. 

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Dr. Champagne obtained her Doctorate in Sports Management with an emphasis on Business and Marketing in February 2025 and will utilize those skills and training to provide top quality & effective services for each client that commits to her program.

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And the story continues....