Dawson Blanck Reflects on the Importance of Communication and Collaboration

Two of our key focuses are fostering engagement and establishing positive outreach with various organizations’ leaders in the youth sports we serve. As an example, about a week ago the MYAS baseball team brought together youth baseball association leaders to create an open forum for fostering discussion. By gathering everyone in one room, we are able to address all aspects of the game—celebrating successes while also stepping up to the plate to address challenges and identify areas for improvement or modification.

We also attended a recent meeting with eight different community-based youth football associations represented for a conversation.

In-person meetings bring humanity to the work we do inside youth sports. You can have phone calls or email correspondence, but those in-person meetings build trust when you can hear people out.

Historically, the MYAS does not go where we're not wanted or needed. So, for example, there was a time when we wanted to help in youth tackle football. But there was one primary league in the north metro, and I had a good relationship with the person who led it and attempted to maintain a good rapport with him. I assured him we were not trying to take over the league and that we were there to support him, but he ultimately decided to do his own thing.

Around that same time, a partnership was created between the Lake Minnetonka Athletic Association and the youth football associations that operate inside of Maple Grove, Wayzata, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, and Edina. We became the league management entity of that league while the league directors and their association boards maintained the overall league structure on what they wanted. League directors were the ones providing us with the guidance, but we managed it and provided the administrative oversight.

A few years later, the same collaborative effort happened with the South Suburban Youth Football League (Rosemount, Farmington, Lakeville South, Lakeville North, Eagan, Eastview, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Prior Lake, Shakopee, and Cooper). Last year, the league split into two leagues – the Big Norse Football Conference and the South Metro 6. MYAS team members basically did everything administratively on their behalf

Two years ago, we began providing league scheduling services for the Southwest Metro Youth Football League, which includes New Prague, Waconia, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Eden Prairie. We have been able to provide league management services for those four large leagues in the metro area, as well as the North Metro Youth Football League for 2nd-6th grade, for whom we provide scheduling services.

During our recent conversation, youth football leaders talked about what's working right now, what could be done better, and where there are growth opportunities. At the end, they turned to me.

"We would like MYAS to manage this league," a President of a youth football association told me. "We want you to sit down with the current league commissioners and determine responsibilities underneath the structure of MYAS management."

I think we got to this point because we have never tried to strong-arm anyone or take over. Instead, we have focused on working together and keeping a collaborative spirit. We want all these youth football associations to still own their leagues and have a say in how things are run. Everyone can do their own thing, but we all play in the same sandbox.

During my career at MYAS, there are a few leagues/event operators with whom I have never have had the opportunity to collaborate with. But I'm still open to working with them because of the potential impact within Minnesota youth sports.

In 2007, when I created the Gopher State Baseball Board of Advisors, I remember youth baseball leaders sharing honest and constructive feedback to help improve our offerings. While the conversations were sometimes challenging, they were rooted in a shared passion for making things better. Most importantly, we ensured that everyone had a chance to be heard, which ultimately strengthened our collaboration, progress, and growth.

Because at the end of the day, the key was to improve, enhance or modify, and once there was that understanding there was better rapport. There was the understanding that individuals would be willing to want what's best for the whole youth sports community.

I think back to a gentleman named Michael Anderson, who tragically passed away three years ago. Shortly after his passing, with assistance from his family, we established a memorial scholarship inside of the MYAS Community Impact Fund in his honor. Michael was from Shoreview Area Youth Baseball, and he was one of those individuals committed to what was best for the greater good. He would provide his input, engage in those difficult, fierce conversations to help improve what we were offering, which then would impact not only his participation inside his association, but throughout community based youth baseball in Minnesota. And so, he was instrumental in being a part of our original board of advisors. He sat on that board for nearly 15 years, until he passed away. Even though his kids were no longer participating within the association, he continued to make an impact. He recognized the big picture.

I think about someone like Mike Sturm, who I originally met 25 years ago, when he was the Travel Director for Farmington Baseball Association. He's a grandpa now, but he continues to be a dedicated MYAS Tournament Director for basketball and baseball tournaments because he wants to create a positive experience for the teams and participants.

There are so many great people who have done it for a long time, and it's more than just a paycheck for them. To all of you I say THANK YOU!

It's the coaches, administrators, assignors, parents, and volunteers who make all these incredible opportunities possible for our young athletes.

As our organization enters our 35th year, we will keep finding ways to help, support, and guide, while looking for the best practices to serve and support each role of the youth sports experience. We know firsthand the amazing things happening in communities across the state, and we’re committed to helping those efforts grow and succeed.