Today we’d like to introduce you to Dondre Yon.
Hi Dondre, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started playing baseball when I was six years old out of UMAC (Upper Montgomery Athletic Club) organization. I grew up loving the game throughout my entire life progressing as I got older through different skill levels. I started out playing rec league baseball progressed to rec league all-star teams then eventually graduating to travel baseball at eight years old. After UMAC I transitioned to playing travel baseball for multiple organizations including CSA, (Clarksburg Sports Association), OBGC (Olney Boys and Girls Club), and other organizations throughout Fredrick County. I was on a journey to find the best competition traveling throughout the state to play the game I love.
At the age of nine, I’d set the goal of playing baseball for a Division I school. Walking into Clarksburg High School I had already decided I would become a D1 shortstop, I just wasn’t sure what school I would play for. During the summer, I continued to play for Damascus American Legion Post 171 while also participating in showcase teams and organization like Baseball Factory to get my name out there to college coaches.
After playing for Clarksburg High School as a senior I had interest from multiple D3 and D2 schools but none that I was interested in since my dream was to play D1. I decided to attend Florida A&M University to obtain a business degree in hopes of playing for the team. Fortunately, enough, I was able to meet the coach and attend a private workout where I was offered to play on the team fulfilling my childhood dream. After, redshirting my freshman year and multiple changes in the athletic department I decided to walk away from playing the game and focus on school.
After graduating from Florida, A&M with honors and for Under Armour in their Direct To Consumer business for a few years my mentor expressed her son was thinking about quitting baseball. I started working with him one on one working on some mechanical changes in his swing and fine-tune his defensive skills. Focusing on trying to change the baseball language and attitude into something he could understand. Shortly after my mentor saw how much I loved baseball, coaching, training and how I was able to connect with her son in a different way than his previous coaches; she suggested I start a business to help the next generation of athletes. That was in July of 2020 and in less than a year I’ve been able to start my business as a baseball trainer and coached over 50 athletes of various ages ranging from 8U to 18 and rec league to college. Being a baseball resource but also serving as a mentor to them.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
For me, the process has been relatively smooth because I am doing something I love. Coaching and training young athletes teaching them details and mental strategies I developed through hours of training early mornings, late nights on holidays, and birthdays. Teaching them is the easy part. Developing processes and structures that allow this business to tie into my daily life outside of my normal 9-5 has been key. Working for Under Armour has afforded me a deeper me understanding systems and processes which have aided me in growing this business. Also, have a degree in business I am familiar with reporting, structures, accounting, marketing, and branding. I’ve been fortunate to already have a deep understanding of the subject matter being a former collegiate player and having business acumen from school and Under Armour. The biggest struggle has been putting myself out in the public eye and stepping outside of my comfort zone in things like video editing and being in front of a camera.
We’ve been impressed with Yon Sports Performance LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Yon sports Performance is ran by Coach Don aka Don On The Diamond. I dedicate my skillset and knowledge to teach the game, train the game and ultimate give the athletes the resources to compete at a high level. This is what the tag line “Teach, Train, Compete” means. I specialize in infield and hitting techniques which will increase athletes’ physical ability but also teach mental or cognitive techniques to increase baseball awareness. This way players don’t just understand what outcome they are looking for but why they are getting a specific outcome so they can self-diagnose.
Most trainers and facilities in the baseball space teach one style or one way of doing things creating cookie-cutter-like players. They are also very expensive for price ranging from $85/hr. up to $125/hr. which is hard to pay on top of equipment, traveling, and uniforms. I’m most proud of the athletes themselves putting in the work to get better constantly seeking more effort everyone involved from parents, coaches, and themselves. They are what makes it special and what drive me to keep going.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Podcasts:
I am Athlete Podcast
Social Proof
Earn Your Leisure
Inside The Volt With Ashcash
All The Smoke
YouTube Channels:
Youth Prospects
Perfect Game Baseball
CollegeBaseballbug
Blog:
Baseball America
MinorityBaseball.com
Pricing:
- $50 per/hour
- $38 per/hour (3-hour minimum)
- $36 per/hour (5-hour minimum)
- $34 per/hour (8-hour minimum)
Contact Info:
- Email: YonSportsPerformance@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Dononthediamond
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dononthediamond/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=don%20on%20the%20diamond
- TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM81XU4vG/
Image Credits
Ugo Productions
Chris Hatch
