Minnesota Youth Athletic Services

What Minnesota Youth Athletic Services does

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. It operates as a multi-sport youth athletics platform serving more than 150,000 participants annually across Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and eastern North Dakota through five sports: basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, and swimming. The organization's flagship properties are the Grade State Basketball Championships — claimed as the nation's largest youth basketball tournament with 1,826 teams in 2026 — and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC) for youth baseball, supported by league play (Gopher State Baseball League, Gopher State Football League, Gopher State High School League), the Rising Stars Sports Academy, and the Midwest Wrestling Tour and Midwest Regional Swim Meet.

MYAS runs on a community-led operating model that depends on a network of 176+ member associations, 70+ baseball associations, 45+ high schools, certified officials, and host organizations. Its technology backbone is built almost entirely on third-party platforms: RegisterPlay for event registration, roster and bracket management; Arbiter Sports for officials training, certification, and game scheduling; and SportsEngine for website and Sports Relationship Management (SRM) infrastructure. Two proprietary sub-brands sit on top of this stack — Trusted Officials and Trusted Coaches — providing certified training pathways that strengthen the safety and quality layer of MYAS events.

MYAS generates revenue through a diversified set of streams: tiered tournament and league entry fees ($420-$450 per team for Grade State Basketball depending on registration window), spectator admission fees retained primarily by host organizations, official training/certification subscriptions via Arbiter Sports, corporate sponsorships (Dick's Sporting Goods, Buffalo Wild Wings, Pizza Ranch, Portillo's, Raising Cane's, Spee-Dee Delivery, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins), and event merchandise and championship rings. As a 501(c)(3), the organization is privately held, governed by a board, and led by Executive Director Dawson Blanck; it has no disclosed parent company, outside equity backing, or public filings beyond standard nonprofit reporting.

Name

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services

Legal name

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services, Inc.

Website

https://myas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that operates Minnesota's largest multi-sport youth athletics platform, serving 150,000+ participants annually across basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, and swimming through tournaments, leagues, and certified coach and official training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sport-Specific Amateur Leagues & Circuits (Non-Professional) (MPAKACAJ), Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.) (MPAKAJAB), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Sport-Specific Skills Coaching (e.g., soccer, basketball, tennis) (HSADAEAA)

Keywords

• Youth sports programs
• Youth athletics leagues
• Sports tournament organization
• Coach training certification
• Officials certification program

Headquarters

HQ city

Spring Lake Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tournament and League Entry Fees: Teams pay entry fees to participate in tournaments like Grade State Basketball Championships ($420-$450 depending on registration date) and GSTC baseball tournaments. Entry fees are the primary revenue driver.
2. Admission and Spectator Fees: Tournaments generate revenue through spectator admission fees collected at venues: $10 adult daily, $15 weekend pass, $5 students/military/seniors daily, with proceeds retained by host organizations.
3. Officials Training and Certification: Revenue generated through officials registration and training programs via Arbiter Sports platform for basketball, baseball, and football referees and umpires.
4. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate sponsors including Dick's Sporting Goods, Buffalo Wild Wings, Pizza Ranch, Portillo's, Raising Cane's, and Spee-Dee Delivery provide financial support and in-kind contributions.
5. Event Merchandise and Apparel: Sale of event merchandise, apparel, and championship memorabilia including championship rings presented at Target Field for GSTC winners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MYAS organizes and operates youth sports leagues, tournaments, and championship events across basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, and swimming for Minnesota youth athletes. The organization also runs coach training and certification through the Trusted Coaches platform and officials training/certification through the Trusted Officials program, enabled by its RegisterPlay, Arbiter Sports, and SportsEngine technology platforms.

Product overview

Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) is a nonprofit organization offering a multi-sport platform focused on youth athletics in Minnesota. The core portfolio centers on flagship championship events including the Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC) for baseball and the Grade State Basketball Championships, supplemented by league programs (Gopher State Baseball League, Gopher State Football League), development academies (Rising Stars Sports Academy), training camps (MYAS Hoops Development Camps), and officials certification (Trusted Officials). The organization operates across five sports—baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, and swimming—with programs serving over 150,000 youth participants annually through community associations and school-based organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gopher State Baseball: Youth baseball brand featuring league play, tournaments, and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC)
• Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA)
• Grade State Basketball Championships
• Midwest Regional Swim Meet
• Trusted Officials
• Trusted Coaches
• Rising Stars Sports Academy
• Gopher State High School League
• Midwest Wrestling Tour

Products and services

• Gopher State Tournament of Champions (GSTC) MYAS's flagship youth baseball championship tournament featuring AAA, AA, and A levels of play across multiple age divisions. Teams qualify through a summer-long qualification process and compete for championship rings presented at Target Field.
• Grade State Basketball Championships The nation's largest youth basketball tournament, held annually across three weekends with separate divisions for girls grades 3-8 and boys grades 3-6 and 7-8. Features tiered brackets creating balanced, competitive matchups for community-based travel basketball teams.
• Gopher State Baseball League (GSBL) Summer league program for community-based youth baseball associations at multiple competitive levels (AAA, AA, A), with over 70 associations enrolling 550+ teams annually.
• Rising Stars Sports Academy Training and development program for young Minnesota community athletes in football, baseball, and basketball, offering affordable opportunities to train and enhance skills regardless of athletic ability.
• Trusted Officials MYAS's officials training and certification program covering basketball officials, baseball umpires, and football officials, with training through Arbiter Sports and in-person clinics.
• MYAS Hoops Development Camps Year-round basketball player development programs including Tryout Prep Camps, No School Camps and Clinics, and Tryout Evaluations. Powered by Precision Basketball partnership.
• Midwest Regional Swim Meet Swimming championship meet held at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center, featuring qualifying swimmers from the Midwest region with custom apparel by You Betcha Designs Inc.
• Gopher State Football League Youth football league program for community-based football associations.
• Midwest Wrestling Tour Multi-state youth wrestling tournament tour with stops in Rochester, Cedar Rapids, La Crosse, and Monticello, generating over 3,000 participants.
• Gopher State High School League (GSHSL) Winter travel basketball league for boys in grades 9-12 who wish to continue playing after high school tryouts, providing a structured 12-game season plus playoffs.
• Gopher State Postseason Classic Postseason baseball tournament creating additional championship opportunities, particularly for youth baseball programs in Greater Minnesota.
• Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA) An initiative of MYAS including 176 member associations and school-based organizations working together to strengthen community and school-based winter travel basketball throughout Minnesota.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78.1% of 2025 Grade State games were decided by 15 points or fewer (2,458 of 3,149 games)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Precision Basketball and Coach Forrest WittcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Basketball development partnership with Coach Forrest Witt (18-season Alexandria Area High School boys basketball coach, 2025 State Championship winner). Precision Basketball will collaborate with MYAS to provide affordable skill-development opportunities, instructional resources, drills, coaching tools, and best practices for MYBA winter basketball season. Resources integrated into MYBA communications and MYAS social media for 176 member associations.
• Saint City ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Safety and de-escalation partnership with St. Paul Police Commander Dave McCabe's firm. Provides specialized training for tournament directors, host groups, and officials on recognizing and responding to escalating behavior. Includes standardized Safety Toolkit, virtual preparation meetings, and on-site Safety Liaison structure. Certified by National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at University of Southern Mississippi. Extended from Grade State Basketball to GSTC baseball events.
• Spee-Dee Delivery Service Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship partnership bringing Spee-Dee the Gopher as MYAS mascot. Spee-Dee Delivery is a Minnesota-based delivery service known for speed and pricing. The mascot appears at GSTC events to cheer on participating teams.
• Minnesota VikingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreseason ticket offer partnership providing MYAS stakeholders access to Vikings home games starting at $22.50, combining football entertainment with fundraising opportunities for local organizations.
• Minnesota TwinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampionship ring presentation ceremony held at Target Field during Twins games for GSTC winners, providing recognition and visibility for youth baseball champions.
• Dick's Sporting GoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship providing 20% discount coupons for MYAS tournament participants, with logo placement on event materials.
• Buffalo Wild WingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship offering 20% discount at Buffalo Wild Wings locations during GSTC period (July 8 - August 2), supporting participating athletes and families.
• Pizza RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing Team Packs and promotional support for Grade State Championships, with booth presence at tournament locations.
• Portillo'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing Team Packs and promotional support for Grade State Championships with booth presence at tournament locations.
• Raising Cane'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Grade State Selection shows released on social media (viewed nearly 150,000 times), with booth presence at tournament locations.
• Arbiter SportscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform partnership for officials training, certification, and game assignment management. MYAS utilizes Arbiter Sports for the Trusted Officials program serving basketball, baseball, and football officials.
• SportsEnginecoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite and Sports Relationship Management (SRM) software platform powering MYAS digital presence, registration systems, and event management.
• Select Heartland Chevrolet DealersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive sponsor with car displays at multiple Grade State Championship locations, supporting youth basketball community.
• Roseville Visitors AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal tourism partnership for Midwest Regional Swim Meet hosted at University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
• Shoot 360 Lino LakesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShooting training sponsor with presence at Grade State Championship locations.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Amateur Athletic Union (AAU): AAU is the largest multi-sport amateur sports organization in the US, offering youth basketball, baseball, volleyball, and other sports leagues and tournaments. Directly comparable to MYAS as a national youth amateur sports governing body running member associations, championships, and travel competition.
• USSSA (US Specialty Sports Association): USSSA operates youth baseball, softball, basketball, and other sports leagues and tournaments nationally. Directly comparable to MYAS's Gopher State Baseball and basketball tournament operations as a multi-sport amateur sports organization.
• Little League International: Little League is the world's largest organized youth sports program, focused on baseball and softball with over 2 million players annually. Directly comparable to MYAS's youth baseball leagues and championship tournaments.
• Pop Warner Little Scholars: Pop Warner is the largest youth football, cheer, and dance organization in the US, running leagues and national championships. Directly comparable to MYAS's Gopher State Football League and community-based association model.
• Babe Ruth League: Babe Ruth League operates Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth youth baseball divisions with league and tournament play nationally. Directly comparable to MYAS's Gopher State Baseball League and GSTC championship baseball operations.
• USA Swimming: USA Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming, sanctioning meets and certifying officials. Comparable to MYAS's Midwest Regional Swim Meet as the organizer of competitive swimming events and certification programs.
• USA Wrestling: USA Wrestling is the national governing body for amateur wrestling, sanctioning tournaments and certifying officials nationwide. Directly comparable to MYAS's Midwest Wrestling Tour as an organizer of regional and competitive wrestling events.
• National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS): NCYS is a membership association representing youth sports organizations nationwide. Comparable to MYAS as an umbrella body coordinating youth athletic associations, leagues, and tournaments across multiple sports.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: The YMCA operates youth sports, swimming, and recreation programs through a national network of community-based branches. Comparable to MYAS's community-based youth sports programming model, though YMCA operates as a broader recreation and youth development organization.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Boys & Girls Clubs offer youth sports leagues, recreation, and development programs through a national affiliate network. Comparable to MYAS as a community-based youth athletics provider, though BGCA's scope extends beyond sports to broader youth services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MYASMinnesota
• Instagraminstagram.com/myasminnesota
• Xx.com/MYASMinnesota
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/minnesota-youth-athletic-svcs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Minnesota Youth Athletic Services