Masters Academy International Names Richard Gilbride Director of Baseball Operations

Developer of 10 Major League draft choices and over 400 college commits brings two decades of elite program leadership to groundbreaking academy

STOW, MA. – Masters Academy International (MAI) today announced Richard Gilbride as Director of Baseball Operations, bringing one of New England’s most successful player development leaders to oversee the academy’s comprehensive baseball program. Gilbride, whose programs have produced 10 Major League Baseball draft choices and placed over 400 student-athletes in college baseball, will lead MAI’s year-round development model when the academy opens in September 2026.

“Richard’s track record speaks volumes—from Major League Baseball draft choices, Power 4 schools , high academic schools both Ivy League and NESCAC , he has consistently developed players who succeed at the highest levels,” said Peter Masters, Co-Founder and Director of Athletics at MAI. “His comprehensive approach to player development and his extensive network throughout baseball make him the ideal leader to establish our program as the premier destination for serious student-athletes.”

For 20 years, Gilbride has directed one of the region’s most respected travel baseball programs while also owning the Student Athletic Advisory Group, a college recruiting service that has helped hundreds of players navigate the recruitment process. His additional roles include seven years on the NEAAU Baseball Board of Directors, five years as tournament director for Prep Baseball Report New England, and current co-ownership of the North Shore Navigators in the prestigious New England Collegiate Baseball League.

“Great teams are built when every player puts the team’s success ahead of individual goals and truly trusts their coaches and teammates,” said Gilbride. “Our mission goes far beyond wins and losses—we’re developing young people who understand that respect for the game, hustling on and off the field, and being accountable to each other are what really matter. These lessons extend into the classroom and the community.”

The baseball program at MAI will feature state-of-the-art facilities including two turf fields with lights and Trackman technology, plus a 125′ x 100′ indoor facility complete with a full infield, four batting cages, four pitching mounds, and Hack Attack machines. This infrastructure enables year-round training regardless of weather conditions.

“I believe that practice doesn’t make perfect—practice makes permanent. That’s why every training session needs to be intense and purposeful,” Gilbride explained. “We create fast-paced, skill-driven workouts that push players to find game speed in practice. The more willing you are to embrace being uncomfortable, the more progress you’ll make as a player.”

The MAI baseball schedule will include a spring training trip to Florida with 7-10 days of competition, 20-25 fall games, and 35-40 spring games against prep schools and college JV programs. Each team will have two dedicated coaches, with every player having access to personalized recruiting coordination from staff who have placed athletes at institutions ranging from Power 4 D1 to high academic D3, and dozens of other top programs in between , our goal will be to find the right fit for our players keeping in mind we are looking out for them for the next 40 years, not just 4.

“We’re building something special here—a program where world-class academics and elite athletics truly complement each other,” Gilbride noted. “Our players will train year-round with elite-level coaches, of which I already have secured 2, one being a top current prep school coach who has had great success leading a prep school in the region, the other a current college assistant coach who has proven himself to be an asset at the collegiate level. The teams will compete in a 50-plus game schedule against top competition, and have access to facilities that rival any program in the country. This is about developing the complete student-athlete who’s prepared for success at the next level and beyond.”

Masters Academy International, part of Cognita’s global network of 100 schools, is pioneering a new model for student-athlete development. Located in Stow, MA, the academy combines rigorous academics with elite athletic training, providing 360-degree support to help students reach their full potential in all areas.

About Masters Academy International: Masters Academy International is a groundbreaking boarding school opening in Fall 2026 that reimagines the student-athlete experience. Offering comprehensive academic programs alongside elite training in multiple sports, MAI provides students with the tools and support to excel in the classroom, on the field, and in life. Learn more at https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/.

Media Contact: Mackenzie Weeden, Director of Marketing, Masters Academy International, media@mastersacademyinternational.com.