Milwaukee Junior Admirals Juggle Hockey and Virtual School

Four young hockey players balance morning practices and evening games with online classes through eAchieve Academy

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Four members of the Milwaukee Junior Admirals hockey team are using the eAchieve Academy virtual program to balance their rigorous hockey schedule with their academic studies. The players practice in the mornings at the Pettit National Ice Center, then complete their schoolwork online before competing in games at night. Coach Matt Doman enforces a "school first" policy, requiring weekly grade checks to ensure the players maintain their academic performance to remain eligible for ice time.

Why it matters

This story highlights how student-athletes are leveraging virtual schooling options to pursue their athletic passions while also prioritizing their education. As more youth sports programs adopt demanding schedules, the ability to balance academics and athletics through flexible online learning is becoming increasingly important.

The details

The four Milwaukee Junior Admirals - Cash Doman, Liam Ranfranz, and two others - take their classes virtually through eAchieve Academy, a free public charter school in the Waukesha School District. They practice hockey in the mornings at the Pettit National Ice Center, then go upstairs or find other quiet spaces to complete their schoolwork before competing in games in the evenings. Freshman Liam Ranfranz says virtual learning requires discipline, but it allows him more time to focus on athletics, which he hopes will give him an advantage in pursuing a career in the NHL.

  • The Milwaukee Junior Admirals have been using the eAchieve Academy virtual program for several years.
  • Coach Matt Doman expects enrollment of Junior Admirals in eAchieve to grow fivefold by fall 2026.

The players

Cash Doman

A 14-year-old Milwaukee Junior Admirals player who uses the eAchieve Academy virtual program to balance his hockey schedule.

Liam Ranfranz

A freshman Milwaukee Junior Admirals player who says virtual learning through eAchieve requires discipline but allows him more time to focus on athletics.

Matt Doman

The hockey coach of the Milwaukee Junior Admirals who enforces a "school first" policy, requiring weekly grade checks to ensure players maintain their academic performance.

Kelly Lewis

A science teacher at eAchieve Academy who explains that the virtual school has due dates, rubrics, and expectations just like a traditional in-person school.

eAchieve Academy

A free, virtual charter school through the School District of Waukesha that currently has 1,000 students enrolled from across Wisconsin.

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What they’re saying

“We have a school here.”

— Cash Doman, Milwaukee Junior Admirals player (FOX6 News)

“It's a sacrifice you have to make, but if you love your team, and you love the guys you're with, it's as much – if not more fun.”

— Liam Ranfranz, Milwaukee Junior Admirals player (FOX6 News)

“We have due dates, we have rubrics and expectations, just like students in person.”

— Kelly Lewis, Science teacher, eAchieve Academy (FOX6 News)

“If they are behind in school, we do weekly check-ins on their grades. Are they getting their classwork done? If they are not – they don't get to skate and work out. That has to come first.”

— Matt Doman, Hockey coach, Milwaukee Junior Admirals (FOX6 News)

What’s next

Coach Matt Doman expects enrollment of Junior Admirals in eAchieve Academy to grow fivefold by fall 2026 as more student-athletes seek the flexibility of virtual schooling to balance their athletic and academic commitments.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how virtual schooling options like eAchieve Academy are enabling young student-athletes to pursue their sports passions while also prioritizing their education, a balance that is becoming increasingly important as youth sports schedules become more demanding.