About Us
Epic Sports Training and Fitness Academy is dedicated to enhancing and improving one’s enjoyment of life through the development of a person’s physical conditioning and athletic skills. Conveniently located off of Valley Road in the heart of Stirling in Long Hill Township, the facility includes a small gym (with padded walls), which can be used either as an open area for athletic or exercise classes, or which can be conveniently converted into hitting tunnels for batting or pitching practice. The facility also includes a lounge where family or friends can relax during instructions for their companions.
Meet Our Team
Richard Vaccaro
Owner
Lead Softball Instructor, Former Semi-Pro Fastpitch Softball Windmill Pitcher
Coach Vaccaro is the lead softball instructor at Epic. He is a former men’s semi-pro fastpitch softball windmill pitcher, and has coached fastpitch softball at the high school and college levels. He has been providing softball skills instruction to girls from 1st grade through college since 1998. His pitching students have included NCAA 1st Team All American pitchers and high school All-State, and All-County pitchers.
Heather Bergman
Fitness Director
Degree in Physical Education/Exercise Science, Assistant Softball Coach at Montclair State University
Coach Bergman has a degree in Physical Education/Exercise Science and she heads the fitness program at Epic. An Assistant Softball Coach at Montclair State University, Coach Bergman conducts the agility training and fitness program for the MSU softball team. Heather was a 2nd Team All-NJAC Conference catcher at MSU and specializes in providing defensive skills lessons to catchers.
John Bowerbank
Slap Hitting/Batting Instructor
Former Men’s Fastpitch Softball Slap Hitter, Specializing in Slap Hitting and Batting Instructions
A former men’s fastpitch softball slap hitter for 25 years, Coach Bowerbank provides slap hitting and batting instructions to girls from 5th grade through college.
Alex Hill
Assisstant Instructor
Top NCAA Division III Pitcher, 3-Time NCAA DIII 1st Team All American
One of the top NCAA Division III pitchers in history, a 3 time NCAA DIII 1st Team All American and the 4 time NJAC Pitcher of the Year. Alex assists with Epic softball clinics and camps.
Elena Scarano
Assisstant Instructor
Former Union County Softball Player of the Year, NCAA Division I Volleyball Player at Loyola University
Westfield High School pitcher, Elena was the Union County Softball Player of the Year in 2013 and 1st Team All Union County pitcher in 2014. Currently, Elena plays NCAA Division I Volleyball at Loyola University in Baltimore. Elena assists with softball camps and clinics run by Epic.