Key Takeaways
- Steve Sanders led Spire Institute & Academy to 65% enrollment growth and 45% camp participation increase, positioning the 800-acre Ohio facility as an IMG Academy competitor
- SportsEngine cofounder Justin Kaufenberg joins GoRout as advisor, bringing over 20 years of technology scaling experience to the coach-to-player communications platform serving 3,000 programs
- Fastbreak AI promotes Ben Brantly to CTO and Tom Kuhr to COO as the company scales across 60 professional leagues globally and thousands of youth tournaments
- Sanders transitioned from a decade flying military helicopters in combat zones to running one of North America’s largest youth sports academies
- All three moves reflect the sector’s continued professionalization and attraction of leaders with diverse backgrounds in military operations, venture capital, and technology scaling
Former Army Pilot Leads Spire Academy Expansion
Steve Sanders, 36, spent ten years in the U.S. Army flying helicopters and leading operations across Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan before becoming CEO of Spire Institute & Academy in Geneva, Ohio. The transition from military aviation to youth sports leadership brought unexpected parallels.
“Both require coordination among different groups, a high level of execution and a healthy dose of fearlessness,” Sanders said. He noted the obvious difference: “I don’t worry about getting shot on a day-to-day basis, which is the nice thing about being in Geneva.”
After leaving the Army, Sanders relocated to Sarasota, Florida without immediate employment. He joined a local marketing and technology agency, became managing partner within months, and began working with IMG Academy as a primary client. This exposure led him to launch a consulting firm focused on sports academies.
In 2019, Spire brought Sanders on as a consultant following new ownership. “I literally showed up on campus and it’s 800,000 square feet, 800 acres and it’s a blank canvas,” Sanders said. “It was an opportunity and a vision of creating a true competitor to IMG.”
Since joining full-time leadership, Sanders has driven measurable growth. Student enrollment increased 65% and camp participation grew 45%. The academy secured partnerships with Under Armour and Cleveland Clinic, expanding its service offerings and brand positioning.
“We want to make sure that future generations of athletes are equipped with life skills,” Sanders said. “And with the skills they need on the court, in the classroom or on the pitch to continue their athletic careers.”
SportsEngine Cofounder Joins GoRout as Strategic Advisor
Rochester, Minnesota-based GoRout announced that Justin Kaufenberg, Managing Director of Rally Ventures and cofounder of SportsEngine, is joining the company as an advisor. Kaufenberg will support GoRout’s growth strategy and business development efforts across all levels of sport.
Kaufenberg brings over 20 years of experience scaling technology companies. At Rally Ventures, he has led and advised emerging technology companies, guiding founders from early traction to industry adoption. His background as a SportsEngine cofounder established him as a recognized figure in youth sports technology.
“Coach-to-player communication has long been underserved, especially at the youth and amateur levels,” Kaufenberg said. “GoRout has developed a solution that’s practical, reliable, and built specifically for coaches. The team understands the nuances of this space better than anyone, and they’re redefining the impact in-game communication can have on coaching strategy and player performance.”
GoRout CEO Mike Rolih emphasized the strategic value of Kaufenberg’s involvement. “Justin has been at the center of some of the most important innovations in youth sports over the past decade, and having him in our corner is a huge advantage,” Rolih said. “He understands the unique challenges coaches and programs face at every level of play and sees the impact our technology is having on coach-to-player communication.”
GoRout works with over 3,000 programs worldwide as a provider of coach-to-player communications technology. The company’s platform addresses in-game communication needs for coaching strategy, player performance, and analytics integration.
Fastbreak AI Elevates Two Senior Leaders to C-Suite
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Fastbreak AI promoted two senior executives to key leadership roles as the company scales across professional and amateur sports. Ben Brantly was named Chief Technology Officer and Tom Kuhr was promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
Brantly will lead product management, engineering, QA, security, and DevOps teams at Fastbreak AI. Since joining the company, he has played a role in scaling its AI scheduling and sports tournament management platforms across pro sports, amateur and youth sports, and sports travel verticals.
Kuhr will oversee marketing, customer success, operations, and talent functions across all Fastbreak business units, including Pro Sports, Amateur Sports, and Participant Activation teams. Kuhr previously served as SVP of Marketing and General Manager of Fastbreak Ticketing, where he shaped the company’s brand and go-to-market strategy.
“These promotions reflect the strength of our leadership team and the pace at which we are scaling,” Fastbreak AI CEO John Stewart said. “Ben is one of the most innovative and disciplined technologists I’ve ever worked with. Tom brings clarity and energy to every challenge and his ability to align teams around execution is second to none.”
Brantly described Fastbreak’s platform scope: “Fastbreak is building the complete solution for modern sports organizations. Our AI-powered platform handles everything from daily administrative tasks to sophisticated operational challenges, giving event organizers, venues, leagues and teams everything they need to run their entire operation.”
Kuhr emphasized operational execution: “Fastbreak is scaling rapidly, fueled by a deep understanding of what our customers tell us they need. We’re building platforms that deliver measurable value at every level of the game. That requires trust, operational discipline and a relentless focus on execution.”
Fastbreak AI is used by over 60 professional sports leagues globally and at thousands of youth tournaments and amateur sports events across North America. The company offers integrated solutions for scheduling, ticketing, travel, and sponsorship activation.
Leadership Trends Across Youth Sports Technology
These three executive moves illustrate several patterns shaping youth sports leadership. Sanders represents the increasing entry of professionals from non-traditional backgrounds, bringing operational discipline from military, corporate, and hospitality sectors. His path from combat aviation to academy management reflects the sector’s maturation and need for sophisticated operational expertise.
Kaufenberg’s advisory role at GoRout demonstrates how successful founders and investors are recycling their expertise within the youth sports ecosystem. His transition from building SportsEngine to advising emerging companies through Rally Ventures creates knowledge transfer across generations of youth sports technology platforms.
The Fastbreak AI promotions signal internal leadership development as youth sports technology companies scale. Both Brantly and Kuhr advanced from senior vice president roles to C-suite positions, suggesting these companies are building depth in their leadership teams rather than relying solely on external hires.
All three stories involve technology-focused organizations. Spire’s partnerships with Under Armour and Cleveland Clinic position it as a data-driven academy. GoRout addresses coach-to-player communication through purpose-built technology. Fastbreak AI explicitly integrates artificial intelligence into sports operations software. This technology emphasis reflects broader industry movement toward platforms, data integration, and operational efficiency.
The geographic distribution also merits attention. Spire operates from Northeast Ohio, GoRout from Minnesota, and Fastbreak from North Carolina. While traditional youth sports hubs like Southern California and Florida remain important, leadership and innovation are increasingly distributed across multiple regions.
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