Dawson Blanck Highlights the Importance of Being Welcomed

For the major sporting events we administer, we've worked extremely hard to change the perception and feeling when people walk into a facility or complex.

It's called the Amplify and Elevate Initiative, and we want to make sure there's plenty of signage and branding to inform parents and participants. We've added placards with a QR code that will take them directly to the schedules or enable them to upload images and videos to a central site that everyone can access, including our social media team.

We have other efforts in place, but ultimately our main goal is to make everyone feel more welcome, because who doesn't appreciate that?

For me, as a small-town boy, it's really important, and I value relationships and connections that are reinforced by a friendly hug or firm handshake. Two small businesses come to mind for me.

The first is Beach's Long Lake Service, which has been servicing my vehicles for 20 years. I became acquainted with the owner and his son, and every time I walk in they're happy to see me and say, "Hey Dawson, good to see you! What's new in your life?" You always feel like you're being taken care of there.

The second is a sweet lady named Mai, who started cutting my hair in 2001 at a shop on Central Avenue in Columbia Heights. She's bounced around to different locations a few times, and I remember I couldn't track her down for a while. But I did find her again, and I've followed her ever since. She calls me her little brother, and she knows my story and my life over the last 22 years. It's always good to reconnect with her, even though she's not necessarily my friend. There's a comfort and familiarity in seeing her and being in her presence.

The little things matter — and that's what we are striving to focus on at MYAS events.

I was reminded of the impact our organization can have when I had a chance to conduct interviews and capture moments at the 19th annual Gopher State Tournament of Champions. I got to talk to coaches, parents, and players, and I really felt their excitement, joy, and positive energy, both in victory and in defeat. Those interactions were reinvigorating for me after working at the MYAS for the past 23 years.

There's simplicity and beauty to that, and it's something we want to keep improving upon for the benefit of the Minnesota youth sports community. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming as a parent when you’re inundated with information and activities for your kids. There's a lot going on at home and at work, and oftentimes people don't take the time to read information presented to them.

We will continue to strive to make things easier and better, whether it's through short videos or reels in emails or any other ways to help disseminate information. A challenge for us is to keep trying to figure out ways to reach as many people as possible prior to an event so that everyone involved has an understanding of what is going on and what will happen. We want to communicate expectations and enhancements to bring value to the competitors and their supporters.

It's hard work, but certainly worth pursuing, with the goal of providing a safe, positive and productive experience for Minnesota's youth athlete.